Samson apollo insulated steel folding door steel folding doors

The Samson Apollo is a premium industrial and commercial specification double skinned, steel, insulated folding door system. Designed specifically for larger openings where enhanced stability is required, this folding door can be manufactured to suit various openings every time, with either a single or bi-parting leaf arrangement.

The standard double-skinned steel panel is 52mm in depth, and the Apollo system is engineered for substantially larger sizes than the Adone, particularly where bottom track stability is beneficial. For exceptionally large sizes (up to 30 metres wide), panel thicknesses can increase up to 82mm to offer the required performance and structural strength.

A folding door offers numerous benefits over traditional industrial door systems. Many of the doors we supply are manually operated because they are generally used for external openings where the opening and closing cycles are low. A folding door system enables a user to open one leaf for pedestrian access, or partially open a little further when required, without ever having to fully expose the building interior, thereby preventing heat loss or cold air ingress.

Key Differences: Apollo vs. Adone Folding Doors

• Bottom Track System: Unlike the trackless Adone, the Apollo features a galvanised steel bottom floor track. This provides superior stability for very large openings and enhanced wind resistance.
• Larger Capacity: The Apollo is designed for "big sizes" (up to 30m wide) where a trackless top hung system alone would be insufficient to manage the weight and wind loads.
• Heavy-Duty Applications: Ideal for aircraft hangars, large agricultural buildings, and industrial warehouses requiring maximum structural integrity.

The door panels can be specified to open inwards or outwards, and the Apollo system is primarily used for external building apertures.

Pedestrian Wicket Doors & Personnel Access

Depending on the leaf arrangement, it is possible to configure the leading door panel as a full height pedestrian access door. This is highly advantageous for facilities where regular foot traffic is required alongside occasional vehicle access.

Alternatively, a pedestrian wicket door can be built directly into a full sized panel. This can be achieved either as a full width panel cut at a standard pedestrian height or as a wicket door completely inset within a full panel. Both options provide simple, easily operated personnel access into and out of the building without the need to operate the main heavy-duty door system.

Manual & Electric Drive Systems

Manual Operation:
Most folding doors are manually operated. The smooth sliding action provided by the combination of top jib track guidance and the bottom floor tracking system guarantees effortless operation once the locking mechanism is released. The multiple panel arrangements allow partial opening to be the primary action, leaving the majority of the door closed to conserve energy.

Electric Operation:
Electric automation is available for any size door in both single and bi-parting leaf arrangements. The chain driven system is simple and highly reliable, placing minimal stress on the electric drive motor. Single and three-phase motor options are offered depending on the door's scale and the anticipated daily operational cycles.

Access control is generally configured as a "hold-to-run" (deadman) system due to the multiple entrapment points inherent in folding doors, though these are heavily mitigated by safety gap sizing and thick EPDM rubber seals. Advanced safety sensor systems can be specified if the door is located near public areas or requires remote-control impulse operation.

Glazing, Windows & Ventilation Infills

Any of the insulated door leaves can be fitted with high-quality double-glazed window inserts to provide natural light and vision. These can be positioned flexibly across one or all panels to suit your requirements.

Vented grilles are frequently incorporated, alongside fixed infill sections, for applications where full door operation isn't necessary across the entire aperture, but a uniform, insulated aesthetic is desired. We also offer fully glazed folding doors with minimal framing for maximum light ingress and aesthetic appeal.

Colours, Finishes & Glazing Options

The Samson Apollo folding door range features an extensive selection of standard finishes, alongside premium laminated woodgrain options.

Customers can specify either a smooth or stucco-embossed (textured) front face finish. Standard RAL colours include White-Grey, RAL 9006, RAL 8019, RAL 3000, RAL 5010, RAL 6005, and RAL 7016. Woodgrain finishes are available in Golden Oak and Walnut.

We can accommodate bespoke RAL colours to match specific corporate branding requirements. Furthermore, external and internal face colours can be specified differently to suit unique site aesthetics.

Ideal Commercial & Industrial Applications

The Apollo system is perfectly suited for medium to very large external openings on commercial or industrial buildings, particularly those accommodating heavy pedestrian traffic alongside low frequency large vehicle access.

Its design is highly effective for extremely wide apertures (up to 30m) and in environments where ceiling headroom is restricted, preventing the use of standard sectional overhead doors. The combination of dense insulated panels and surprisingly easy manual operation makes the Apollo an optimal choice for end-users across various industrial sectors.

Applications & Suitability

The Samson Apollo folding door system is specifically engineered for larger industrial and commercial openings where structural stability and robust operation are critical. Unlike lighter systems, the Apollo utilises a comprehensive bottom track configuration, making it the definitive choice for wide-span apertures and exposed locations.

Ideal Environments

Due to its reinforced design and bottom-guided stability, the Apollo is frequently specified for:

• Aircraft Hangars: Capable of spanning vast widths while maintaining ease of operation, perfect for moving aircraft and ground support equipment.
• Large Agricultural Buildings: Ideal for grain stores, machinery sheds, and barns where wide access is needed for combine harvesters and tractors, but weather resistance is essential.
• Industrial Warehouses & Logistics: Suitable for loading bays and distribution centres where doors may be subject to wind pressure while open or closed.
• Emergency Service Stations: Fire stations and ambulance depots benefit from the reliability and speed of the folding mechanism (especially when motorised).
• Public Transport Depots: Bus and train maintenance sheds requiring tall, wide clearance with reliable daily operation.

Key Operational Advantages

1. Maximum Stability in Exposed Locations
The defining feature of the Apollo is its bottom floor track. By guiding the door leaves at both the top and bottom, the system offers superior resistance to wind loads compared to trackless (top-hung only) alternatives. This makes it suitable for coastal sites or buildings in open terrain where wind pressure is a constant factor.

2. High-Frequency Traffic Management
The Apollo excels in environments with mixed traffic types:

• Pedestrian Access: Integrated wicket doors or active leaf sections allow staff to enter without opening the full door, preserving heat and reducing cycle wear.
• Partial Opening: For smaller vehicles (forklifts, vans), the door can be partially folded back, retaining thermal efficiency while allowing access.
• Full Opening: The entire width can be cleared for HGV or large machinery access.

3. Thermal Efficiency for Large Volumes
Large industrial spaces are expensive to heat. The Apollo's 52mm foam-filled insulated panels provide a significant thermal barrier (U-values comparable to premium sectional doors). By minimising heat loss through the large door surface area, the Apollo helps reduce long-term energy costs for expansive facilities.

Configuration Options

• 90° Folding: Leaves fold perpendicular to the opening (inside the building). Ideal for maximizing the clear drive-through width where internal wall space is limited.
• 180° Folding: Leaves fold flat back against the internal wall. This leaves the opening completely unobstructed, perfect for tight maneuvering areas where every inch of width counts.

Vertical wing steel panels, 52mm thickness, consisting of two levelled and opposed steel sheets, galvanized with Sendzmir system, pre-lacquered and with Smooth finishing.

Standard Door Specification

- Ground track for sinking into the floor.

- Trolleys with 4 nylon coated wheels with dustproof ball bearings.

- Black lacquered die-cast aluminium hinges with bearings and pins of 20 mm

- Black lacquered steel lever bolts with black lacquered galvanized steel closing rods. Galvanized steel floor strikers for lever bolt.

- Black Nylon handle on the ledge wing.

- Panel standard colour: External side White Grey, Internal side White-Grey. 

- Aluminium label with door identifying data, CE marked and main instructions. 

- Assembly instructions, maintenance handbook including law certificates

 

Standard Electric Motor Specifications

- Ventilated gear motor, single-phased or three-phased, CE marked, with thermal protection, permanent grease lubrication. Available with magnetic limit micro switch, pull box for - electrical connections, drive motor release with lock for manual manoeuvres by unblocking lever, located in a place accessible to operators. Driving gear with chain and pinion, motor power 370 W (Single-Phased) and 370 W (Three-Phased). 

- Opening and closing speed about 8 m/min. Motor unit position on the track.

- Single-phased or three-phased switchboard with open-close-stop pushbutton, CE marked, emergency button, protection degree IP 54, 230V or 380V power supply, torque-limiting device, time limit switches. 

- Drive to low-tension 24 V protected by 1,6 A and 2 A fuses, to be used also for power supply of all safety accessories. Possible functions: automatic, semi-automatic or "dead man" control; timer for automatic closing; stop and reversing system in case the photocells are working, safety rib or other devices. 

- Door-closing safety device, padlock not included.

 

Chain motorisation

 

Other Safety Devices:

- Yellow beacon flashing light.

- Pair of ultraflat high-sensitive infra red photocells.

- Outdoor key selector Open-Close-Stop.

- Microswitch.

 

Installation & Survey Details

The Samson Apollo folding door is a precision-engineered system designed for straightforward installation by competent trade professionals. We offer flexible supply routes to suit your project requirements, from "supply only" for self-installation to a comprehensive survey and installation service.

Supply & Installation Options

• Supply Only: Ideal for contractors and builders managing their own site schedules. We provide the complete door kit, including all tracking, hardware, and detailed installation manuals.
• Full Survey & Installation Service: Our experienced nationwide team handles everything—from initial site survey and dimensional checks to final installation and commissioning, ensuring full CE compliance and peace of mind.

Pre-Installation Process

Every Apollo door is made-to-measure. To ensure a perfect fit, we follow a rigorous specification process:

1. Consultation & Specification: We discuss your opening size, headroom, side room, and usage requirements to determine the optimal configuration (leaf split, folding direction, glazing, etc.).
2. Technical Drawings: Before any metal is cut, we produce a full technical drawing for your review. This details the exact dimensions, fixing points, track positions, and panel layout. Manufacturing only begins once you have approved these drawings.

Installation Requirements

The Apollo differs from top-hung systems by requiring a bottom track, which adds stability but has specific site requirements.

Floor & Track Preparation

• Bottom Track: The galvanised steel bottom track must be sunk into the floor flush with the finished floor level (FFL). This requires a pre-formed channel or cut in the concrete slab.
• Level Threshold: The floor across the opening width must be level to ensure smooth operation and correct engagement of the bottom guides.
• Drainage: Depending on the location (exposed/internal), consideration should be given to drainage for the bottom track channel to prevent water accumulation.

Structural Fixings

• Head Fixing: The top track carries the weight of the door panels. The lintel or steelwork above the opening must be structurally sound and capable of supporting the full door weight (approx. 25-30kg/m² depending on spec).
• Side Fixings: Solid fixing grounds (steel columns or masonry) are required for the side jambs and locking keeps.
• Headroom & Side Room:
  • Headroom: Allow approx. 150-200mm above the clear opening height for the top track gear.
  • Side Room: When folded, the door leaves occupy space. Allow for the "bunching" depth of the panels (approx. number of leaves x 60mm + clearance).

Documentation & Support

All Samson Apollo doors are supplied with a comprehensive documentation pack, including:

• Step-by-step Installation Guide with exploded diagrams.
• Maintenance Handbook for ongoing care.
• CE Declaration of Conformity (critical for commercial/industrial safety compliance).
• Technical phone support from our UK-based team.

Measuring for an Apollo folding door is relatively simple as the doors can only fit behind an aperture with the top track face or ceiling mounted. The dimensions for the aperture along with side room and headroom are the main concern along with a level floor.