Be it in a private apartment or a residential complex: Walk-in showers and seamless transitions for wheelchair users have long been the standard in a barrier-free building. In an era of increasing networking another issue is coming to the fore for building planners: How can I make day-to-day life easier for residents through the use of specific technologies? Thus, for example, the roller shutter and sun protection industry is making a decisive contribution to barrier-free apartments: By ensuring that shading moves at the push of a button or even fully automatically, residents are spared unnecessary effort.

The right technology for the private household
An important criterion for a lack of barriers with automated sun protection is user-friendly controls: The keys on hand-held or wall-mounted transmitters should be as large as possible to accommodate people with restricted vision and should also be easy to feel. In addition, displays and lettering should be easily readable. Highly functional are multi-channel transmitters with which individual roller shutters may be operated effortlessly independently of one another, such as the VarioTel from elero for instance. Here clearly recognisable lettering is important – users have to be able to clearly see which channels are allocated to the individual shadings.

Sophisticated technology manages residential complexes
Much more complex is the starting situation in large residential complexes such as retirement homes. Here it has to be possible to control roller shutters and sun protection centrally, while at the same time ensuring they may be regulated individually. If weather sensors are used there is an additional challenge: Solar radiation varies according to the time of day and is dependent on the alignment of the façade – a single sensor is not sufficient here therefore. The solution: Central controls such as the Objecta from elero. Four separate channels ensure that the weather conditions are analysed correctly. In this respect the sensors may be combined in line with requirements – for example four sun sensors with one or more wind sensors in an exposed location. If the central control unit is coupled with suitable hand-held or wall-mounted controls, users can still operate the sun protection in line with their individual needs.

Bus system links differing devices
In modern residential complexes even more extensive technology is frequently deployed: The interface standard SMI (Standard Motor Interface). This allows for a disruption-free connection between various devices as the signals are exchanged over the standard interface – from the control to the drive and vice versa. Using an SMI system the sun protection may also be integrated into a comprehensive building management system, and controlled in coordination with other components such as air-conditioning and heating without any problems. The roller shutter and sun protection industry is thus an important pioneer when it comes to a barrier-free lifestyle – be it in your own four walls or in residential complexes.