The smoke-rated sliding ICU systems are available in multiple configurations with concealed high-temperature gaskets or brush designs. The systems may be designed with track or trackless bottoms and partial or full breakout configurations. Self-closing options are available along with mini-blind glass and/or fire-rated panels. The doors comes standard with a UL 1784 label applied at the factory that certifies that the systems exceed the air infiltration requirements of NFPA 105.
The idea came to Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton to build an automatic sliding door back in the mid-1950's, when they realized that swing doors had difficulty operating in windy Corpus Christi. So Lew and Dee set out to invent the automatic sliding door to circumvent the windy conditions.
Horton Automatics Inc. was formed in 1960, placing the first commercial automatic sliding door on the market and literally establishing a brand-new industry.