Short answer: Automatic doors for offices in Dubai Internet City, Media City and Production City are usually sliding or swing operators on glass entrances, and the right choice depends on traffic, glass type, landlord rules and break-out function. Check the sensor and safety set-up first, then plan service access with the landlord. Most office door repair calls start with a sensor or a track.
Campus entrances are different from tower lobbies
Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Production City are built as business campuses. Many offices sit in low or mid-rise blocks around shared courtyards, with a main glass entrance, a smaller side door, and often a covered walkway between buildings. Staff walk between buildings in the heat, so doors open and close constantly in summer, letting hot air in and conditioned air out.
That changes the brief. You are not designing a grand lobby; you are choosing an entrance that opens reliably, closes promptly, and does not cause a fuss when a visitor with a laptop bag and a coffee walks through. For a broader view of the options, our office entrance automation guide covers the decision from a facilities angle.
Sliding, swing or revolving?
Sliding doors
The default for most campus offices. A sliding door needs wall or glass space beside the opening for the leaf to travel, and it keeps a clear width without swinging into the path. Our automatic sliding glass doors page covers the operator and leaf options. Breakout leaves, where the sliding panels can be pushed outwards in an emergency, are common in escape routes.
Swing operators
Useful where the opening is narrow, where there is an existing frame to keep, or for a side door. A swing door needs clear floor in its arc, so check for planters, signage and benches that people tend to place there.
Revolving doors
Better suited to a large, busy entrance with air-conditioning to protect. They need space and a side door for luggage and accessibility. See automatic revolving doors and the revolving and sliding glass doors service page if the building has a double-height entrance.
Glass, frames and what the landlord allows
Most campus buildings are leased, and the entrance belongs to the landlord or the building manager even when the tenant pays for the door. Before you order anything, ask in writing:
- Who owns the existing door, frame and glass?
- Is the frame finish or glass tint fixed by the building design?
- Does the landlord need drawings or a method statement?
- Which hours are allowed for work, and where may the contractor park and unload?
- Does the building have a fire alarm interface that the door must connect to?
Glass type matters. Toughened glass on a sliding leaf is normal, but laminated glass has a different weight and fixing. Heavier leaves need a stronger operator and track. Ask the supplier to confirm the weight of the leaves they are fitting and the rated capacity of the operator.
Sensors and safety: where office doors go wrong
A door that opens for nobody or closes on someone is nearly always a sensor or set-up problem. Typical campus causes include a plant pot or banner stand in the detection zone, direct sun on the sensor lens, a reflective floor mat, or a sign hung where the beam used to be clear. The sliding door sensor guide walks through the checks.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Opens with no one there | Reflection, moving banner, dirty lens | Remove nearby signs, wipe the lens |
| Does not open for a person | Sensor dirty, misaligned, switched mode | Check the mode switch is on automatic |
| Closes slowly or sticks | Track grit or worn carriage | Look in the bottom track |
| Reverses before closing | Safety beam interrupted | Look for items near the leading edge |
| Hums but does not move | Operator or belt problem | Stop and call service |
Planning service access under landlord rules
Service in a campus building is easier when it is planned. Agree one named contact at the landlord, and a standard process for contractor access: pass request, delivery bay, lift booking and any quiet times near meeting rooms. Ask the contractor to share the work plan before arrival and to keep the entrance usable. If a door has to be stopped, ask for a safe temporary arrangement such as a staffed entrance or a secondary door.
The same approach works across Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Production City. Our automatic doors page lists the families we supply, install and repair.
What to send for a quote
- A photo of the entrance from outside, wide enough to show the frame.
- A photo from inside showing the wall or glass beside the door.
- The opening width and height, if you can measure them.
- A photo of any label on the operator or sensor.
- The landlord's contact and any rules for contractors.
Frequently asked questions
What type of automatic door suits an office in Dubai Internet City?
Most campus offices use sliding glass doors because they keep a clear opening and do not swing into the path. Swing operators suit narrow side doors, and revolving doors suit very busy entrances with space. A site visit confirms what fits.
Do I need landlord approval to change an office entrance door?
In leased campus buildings, almost always. The entrance usually belongs to the landlord or building manager. Ask in writing who owns the door and glass, and what drawings, method statements or working hours they require.
Why does my office sliding door open when nobody is there?
Common causes are a dirty or sun-struck sensor, a moving banner or plant in the detection zone, or a reflective surface. Clear nearby objects, wipe the lens, and if it continues ask a technician to adjust the sensor.
What is a break-out sliding door?
A sliding door whose panels can be pushed outwards in an emergency if power fails or the door is blocked. It is common on escape routes. Ask your fire consultant whether your entrance needs this function.
Can I repair an office door without closing the entrance?
Often there is a second door or a staged plan that keeps access. Ask the contractor to propose a temporary arrangement before arrival. Some repairs, such as sensor adjustments, take little time and do not need closure.
Does glass type affect the door operator?
Yes. Heavier leaves such as laminated glass need a stronger operator and track. Tell the supplier what glass you have, and ask them to confirm the leaf weight against the operator rating.
What photos help for a door repair quote?
A wide shot of the entrance, a close-up of the bottom track, the sensor and any label on the operator, and a short video of the fault. You can send them through our photo page or by WhatsApp.
Next step
If you want a second pair of eyes on your entrance, call +971 50 494 8667 or message 971504948667. You can ask for a written quote after a visit, send photos through the photo page, or book a free site visit with the team based in Al Quoz, Dubai.
Want this done properly?
Send a photo of your door or gate and we will tell you what we see.