How to Safely Open Your Rapid Door When the Power Goes Out

Unexpected power outages can disrupt operations and create uncertainty – especially if a rapid door stops mid-cycle or won’t open when people need to exit. The good news is that every Ulti Roll high-speed door is designed with safe, reliable emergency egress built in.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to safely open a rapid door during a power outage and explore the different emergency egress options available, so you can choose the right solution for your site.

 

Why Emergency Egress Matters

Emergency egress isn’t just about convenience – it’s about ensuring people can exit safely and quickly during power failures, fires, or other emergencies. A well-designed egress system reduces panic, prevents bottlenecks, and keeps operations compliant with safety requirements.

Ulti Roll high-speed doors are engineered with multiple emergency egress options, allowing sites to select the method that best suits their risk profile, usage, and environment.

For Facilities, Operations and Health & Safety teams, emergency egress isn’t optional – it’s a core pare of ensuring people can exit safely during power failures, alarms or emergencies, and that site procedures remain compliant.

 

Using the Manual Override Handle (As Shown in the Video)

The social video linked to this blog demonstrates one of the most common and reliable egress methods: the manual hand crank, which is supplied as standard with Ulti Roll doors.

In a power outage, this is how the door can be safely opened:

1. Locate the override handle

The manual handle is typically stored on the door leg using magnetic holders, keeping it accessible but out of the way during normal operation.

2. Isolate the door control

Under the control box, there is a socket fitting connected via a small wire. Carefully unplugging this acts as a safety interlock, ensuring the door won’t unexpectedly operate if power is restored mid-use.

3. Insert the override handle

Fit the handle into the socket beneath the motor.

4. Manually open the door

Wind the handle to raise the door curtain, allowing clear and controlled egress.

5. Reset once safe

When power is restored, reconnect the socket carefully, return the handle to its holder, and reset the door as required.

This process is intentionally mechanical, simple, and dependable – ideal for emergency scenarios.

 

Emergency Egress Options Explained

While the manual hand crank is supplied as standard, Ulti Group offers a range of alternative emergency egress options to suit different operational, safety, and compliance requirements. Understanding how each option works – and where it performs best – helps ensure the right solution is in place before an emergency occurs.

Manual Hand Chain

The manual hand chain provides a permanently accessible, intuitive way to operate the door during a power failure. Personnel simply pull the chain to raise or lower the door, with no need to locate, insert, or fit additional components.

Best for:

• High-traffic environments where rapid, instinctive operation is critical
• Sites with a wide range of staff or visitors and minimal formal training
• Applications where doors may need to be opened frequently during outages

This option balances simplicity with speed, making it a practical choice for day-to-day operational resilience.

Manual Release (Counterweight System)

The manual release system is activated by pulling a dedicated release lever. Once engaged, the counterweighted curtain rises automatically to a partially open position and remains there until manually reset.

With no reliance on electrical components, this system is fully mechanical and inherently failsafe, providing dependable performance in critical situations.

Best for:

• Fire egress routes and designated emergency exit pathways
• High-risk or regulated environments where fail-safe operation is essential
• Facilities requiring immediate, hands-free opening during an emergency

This option is well suited to situations where certainty and simplicity are non-negotiable.

UPS Battery Backup

The UPS battery backup maintains power to the door controller during an outage, allowing the door to continue operating as normal for a defined period. From the user’s perspective, the door functions exactly as it would under mains power, without any manual intervention.

Best for:

• Facilities that require uninterrupted access or controlled movement
• Short-duration power outages where normal operations need to continue
• Sites prioritising ease of use and minimal user decision-making under pressure

This solution is ideal where continuity and familiarity are key to maintaining safety and flow.

Emergency Escape Zip

The emergency escape zip is integrated directly into the door curtain, providing a dedicated exit point when the door cannot be opened conventionally. Personnel can pass through the zip opening quickly, without the need for tools or training.

Notably, this option preserves the door’s wind integrity and is simple to restore post-use.

Best for:

• Large or wide door openings where manual lifting may not be practical
• Areas with occasional occupancy or untrained personnel
• Sites seeking an alternative egress method without altering door operation

This option offers a highly accessible escape solution where traditional opening methods may be less suitable.

 

Choosing the Right Egress Solution for Your Site

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right emergency egress option depends on:

• Site layout and exit pathways
• Staff familiarity and training levels
• Frequency of door use
• Risk profile and compliance requirements

Ulti Group’s range of emergency egress configurations ensures that safety can be built into every door – not added as an afterthought.

If your door is part of a fire or primary evacuation route, a counterweight manual release is often the safest option. If your facility must maintain temperature, hygiene or airflow control during an outage, consider UPS battery backup.

 

When the power goes out, your doors should never become a barrier to safety. Understanding how your rapid door operates in an emergency – and choosing the right egress option – can make all the difference.

For more detailed information on Ulti Group’s emergency egress solutions for high-speed doors, visit the Door Emergency Egress product page at: https://ultigroup.co.nz/product/door-emergency-egress/

If you’re unsure which option is best for your site, Ulti Group’s team can help assess your requirements and recommend a solution that keeps your people safe when it matters most.