Revolving door

Revolving Door

Revolving door plan view

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20070513 Chicago Place Showcase Revolving Doors

Revolving door refers to a type of door consisting of several leaves or wings, attached to a central rotating shaft, enclosed within a cylindrical structure. These doors are designed to allow people to pass in both directions without causing drafts, making them particularly useful in buildings where temperature and air pressure control are important. The concept also finds metaphorical use in discussions of employment and regulatory practices, particularly in the context of the public sector and private sector employment interchange.

Design and Function

A revolving door typically consists of three or four doors, known as wings or leaves, which are spaced equidistantly around a central shaft. They rotate inside a cylindrical enclosure, with the entrance and exit on the same or different sides. This design minimizes air exchange between the inside and outside of a building, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs. It also helps to manage pedestrian traffic flow in and out of buildings. The first revolving door was patented by Theophilus Van Kannel in 1888, under the US patent US387,571.

Advantages

The primary advantages of revolving doors include:

• Energy efficiency: They significantly reduce air exchange, leading to lower heating and cooling costs.
• Traffic flow management: Revolving doors can handle a large number of people moving in both directions simultaneously.
• Safety and accessibility: Modern revolving doors are designed to accommodate people with disabilities and comply with safety regulations.

Metaphorical Use

The term "revolving door" is also used metaphorically to describe a situation where employees move between roles as industry professionals and regulators, often in the same sector. This can lead to potential conflicts of interest, especially when former regulators are employed by companies they once regulated, or vice versa. The metaphor raises concerns about the integrity of regulatory practices and the influence of private interests in public policy.

Controversies and Regulations

The metaphorical use of "revolving door" has led to the implementation of "cooling-off periods" in some jurisdictions. These are mandatory waits before a former government official can take up a position in an industry related to their previous regulatory role. The aim is to prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensure that public sector decisions are made in the public interest.

See Also

• Door
• Energy conservation
• Conflict of interest
• Public sector ethics