{"id":15565,"date":"2026-09-23T17:19:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T16:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ventsystems.de\/?p=15565"},"modified":"2026-11-08T14:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T13:57:00","slug":"retrofitting-skylights-drive-solutions-for-industrial-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ventsystems.de\/en\/lichtkuppeln-nachruesten-antriebsloesungen-fuer-industriehallen\/","title":{"rendered":"Retrofitting skylights: Drive solutions for industrial buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

In short:<\/strong> Old rooflights in halls can usually be motorised without replacing the dome. Depending on size and snow load, linear, spindle or rack-and-pinion actuators with 600 to 1500 N are used. A ventilation control with rain and wind sensor closes the domes automatically when the weather changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many industrial and commercial buildings from the 1980s to the 2000s have skylights that are either still manually operated or whose drives have failed after decades of continuous use. A complete redesign is rarely necessary \u2013 in most cases, the existing skylight can be retrofitted with a suitable drive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In brief:<\/strong> Many rooflights in older industrial and commercial halls can be retrofitted with electric actuators \u2013 usually linear or chain actuators, with two actuators for large domes. They can then ventilate every day and, as part of a smoke and heat exhaust system, remove smoke and heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why skylights in existing halls often need to be retrofitted<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typical reasons for retrofitting include failed or leaking drive motors, purely manual crank mechanisms without any automation, a lack of connection to the fire alarm system, and the desire to use the skylights additionally for daily cooling and ventilation of the hall. Especially in production and storage halls, this quickly adds up to noticeable losses in comfort and untapped safety potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which drives are suitable for retrofitting skylights?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In practice, skylights have proven particularly effective. Spindle actuators<\/a> Proven: They generate high forces in a compact design and are therefore particularly suitable for heavy, large-area dome elements. For lighter flaps or larger strokes, chain or linear drives may also be suitable, depending on the installation situation. Which drive type is appropriate in each case depends on the weight, opening angle, and existing mounting points of the dome \u2013 a brief on-site assessment will quickly clarify this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how the retrofit process works in practice.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n