DescriptionThe Samson Apollo is an 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 double 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. The panel thickness will change on much larger sizes to offer the performance and strength required.
A folding door offers so many benefits over many other 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 will enable a user to open one leaf for pedestrian access, or partially open a little further when required, never having to open the door fully, exposing all the internals and letting heat out or cold in.
Key Difference: Apollo vs. Adone
- Bottom Track System: Unlike the trackless Adone, the Apollo features a galvanised steel bottom track sunk into the floor. This provides superior stability for very large openings and enhanced wind resistance.
- Larger Capacity: The Apollo is designed for "big sizes" where the trackless top-hung system alone would be insufficient.
- Heavy-Duty Applications: Ideal for aircraft hangars, large agricultural buildings, and industrial warehouses requiring maximum structural integrity.
The door panel can be specified to open inwards or outwards and the Apollo system is mainly used for external doors on any building.
Pedestrian Door Option
It is possible, depending on the leaf arrangement, to always have one door panel used as a full height pedestrian access door. This is very useful for so many companies and operations where regular access is required on foot.
You can also have a pedestrian door built into a full sized panel either as a full width panel cut at a normal pedestrian door height, or as a pedestrian door completely cut into a full panel. Either option provides a simple and easy operated door into and out of the building without the need to even touch the main door.
Manual or Electric
Most folding doors will be manually operated as they are so easy to manoeuvre anyway and with the multiple options on the panel arrangements you can make it easy for partial opening to be the main action and leave most of the door closed for the majority of the time.
The smooth sliding action of the top and bottom tracking system guarantees an effortless operation once the locking has been released. The Apollo system combines top jib track guidance with bottom floor track stability for larger door configurations.
Electric operation is possible on any size door with single or bi-parting leaf arrangements and the chain driven system is simple and reliable as there is minimal stress on the electric motor drive. Single and three phase motor options are offered depending on the potential number of operations per day and how large the doors are.
Access control is generally best as a 'hold to run' deadman control as a folding door has multiple entrapment points, although these are compliant with the gap sizing and rubber seals used to prevent any injury to fingers. Safety systems can be specified where necessary if the door is near a public area or impulse or remote control is required.
Windows and Infills
Any of the door leaves can have various high quality double glazed window inserts to provide light and vision. These can be almost anywhere and in one or all the panels to suit.
Vented grilles are also often required along with fixed infill sections when the whole opening isn’t required as a door but it suits to match everything with the insulated panels.
We also offer fully glazed folding doors with minimal framing for maximum light and vision.
Colours, Finishes and Options
The Samson Apollo folding doors have a wide standard range of finished colours to choose from along with laminated woodgrain finish options.
You can also choose to have a smooth or stucco embossed front face finish to suit your taste.
Standard colours include White-Grey, RAL 9006, RAL 8019, RAL 3000, RAL 5010, RAL 6005, and RAL 7016, along with woodgrain finishes in Golden Oak and Walnut.
We can also price for special colours where required to suit specific needs.
External face and internal face colours can be different to suit the clients requirements on site.
Various double glazed window options can be built in to the panels in almost any position to suit.
Round, square and rectangular windows can be offered but also a fully glazed door option with minimal framing for maximum light and vision.
We can also build in venting grilles and other useful panel inserts to suit the application.
Fixed panels which never open can be incorporated into the overall door system when it is simply about creating a door and infill to match, all of which are insulated.
Application
Any medium to large external openings for commercial or industrial buildings. Perfect for low usage openings with high levels of pedestrian traffic.
Perfect for when headroom is limited and also very wide openings.
Insulated door panels and easy manual operation make this perfect for all users within any building.
ApplicationApplications & 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.
SpecificationVertical wing steel panels, 52mm thickness, consisting of two levelled and opposed steel sheets, galvanized with Sendzmir system, pre-lacquered and with Smooth finishing.
Laterally dovetail-outlined to contain the gaskets. Internal tubular supporting frame, in galvanized steel, created to stiffen the panel and safely fix the hinges and filling’s frames.
Can be partial glazed, completely glazed, made with aluminium profiles, high thickness.
The upper and lower end of the panels are closed by Sallox black tarnish aluminium profiles, upper and ground sealing with brushes fixed on the profiles.
The lateral ends of door panels are provided with tubular rubber EPDM double lip gaskets that ensure 50 mm. space for safety between wing and wing and between wing and jamb.
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.
