Automatic Door Regulations in the UK

Automatic doors have become a standard feature in offices, shopping centers, hospitals, and public buildings. They surely offer convenience and modern appeal, but their installation and upkeep aren’t just technical.

It’s because they come with legal responsibilities that building owners must check. In the UK, automatic door regulations maintain compliance with building standards. This article brings essential regulations governing automatic doors in the UK.

The Legal Framework for Automatic Doors in the UK

Automatic doors have gone far beyond convenience. They’re governed by a robust legal framework designed to ensure safety, accessibility, and compliance across public and commercial buildings.

Building Regulations 2010

These regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure health, safety, welfare, and energy efficiency. Automatic doors fall under several parts, including –

• Approved Document M: Accessibility and inclusive design.
• Approved Document K: Protection from falling, collision, and impact.
• Approved Document B: Fire safety provisions.

For example, Part M requires that doors be wide enough and easy to operate for wheelchair users. It must have a minimum clear opening of 800mm for new buildings.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This act places a duty on employers to ensure the safety of employees and the public. Section 3 mandates that powered doors in workplaces must not pose risks to anyone. Regular maintenance and risk assessments are required to prevent accidents.

Equality Act 2010

Replacing the Disability Discrimination Act, this law requires reasonable adjustments to remove physical barriers for disabled individuals. Automatic doors must –

• Be operable by wheelchair users.
• Include push pads at accessible heights (typically 900–1200mm).
• Feature visual contrast for users with impaired vision.
• Failure to comply can result in legal action and reputational damage.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

It applies to all non-domestic premises and mandates fire risk assessments. Automatic doors must –

• Allow safe egress during emergencies.
• Fail-safe to open within 5 seconds of power loss.
• Be integrated with fire alarm systems to unlock or open automatically.
• Non-compliance can lead to fines, imprisonment, or invalidated insurance.

Key Authorities and Standards

British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI publishes BS EN 16005, the core safety standard for automatic pedestrian doors. It covers –

• Sensor placement (minimum 1m detection zone).
• Force limitation (max 67N impact force).
• Finger protection and signage requirements.

Compliance with BS EN 16005 is not law but is the accepted route to meet legal obligations under the Machinery Directive and UKCA/CE marking.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

HSE enforces workplace safety laws and investigates incidents involving powered doors. It recommends –

• Risk assessments tailored to the environment and user type.
• Regular inspections and maintenance logs.
• Competent installation and servicing by qualified engineers.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

BEIS oversees product safety regulations and UKCA marking post-Brexit. It ensures that automatic door systems meet essential requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. BEIS also supports harmonization of standards like BS EN 16005 to align with EU and UK law.

Automatic doors may seem simple, but their legal framework is anything but. From fire safety to disability access, every swing or slide is governed by a network of regulations.

Safety Regulations for Automatic Doors in the UK

Emergency Stops and Overriding Mechanisms

Emergency stop buttons are mandatory on automatic doors used in public and commercial buildings. These allow users to halt door movement instantly in case of malfunction or danger.

Common types include mushroom-head push buttons, twist-to-release, and keyed emergency stops, which prevent unauthorized resets.

Manual override systems ensure doors can be operated manually during power failures or emergencies. For example, self-resetting emergency exit buttons automatically return to default after a timed delay.

Safety Sensors

Under BS EN 16005, automatic doors must be equipped with presence-detection sensors that prevent doors from closing on people or objects.

Minimum detection zones: 1 metre for standard use, 1.5 metres for escape routes.

These sensors typically use infrared or laser beams to detect movement or obstructions. If the beam is interrupted, the door halts or reverses.

Force Limitations

To prevent injury, impact force must not exceed 67 Newtons, as per BS EN 16005. Additional force testing standards (BS EN 12453) require –

• Max 400N for crushing.
• Max 1400N for impact.

The force must reduce to 150N within 0.75s and 25N within 5s. Force testing is conducted using calibrated meters and recorded for compliance certification.

Fire Doors and Automatic Closures

Automatic doors on escape routes must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B). Fire-rated automatic doors must –

• Close automatically upon fire alarm activation.
• Fail-safe opens within 5 seconds of power loss.
• Be integrated with fire alarm systems and manual override switches.

Evacuation Routes

Automatic doors on evacuation routes must –

• Open in the direction of escape.
• Be fitted with redundant systems (dual motors/controllers) to operate during emergencies.
• Include break-out functionality, allowing doors to swing open manually if needed.
• Emergency switches (red push-to-escape buttons) to override doors during fire or power failure.

Periodic Inspections

BS EN 16005 and Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require at least one annual inspection for all automatic doors.

High-traffic areas (hospitals, shopping centres) may require biannual or quarterly checks. Weekly visual checks by building staff are recommended to spot hazards like misalignment, debris, or sensor failure.

Testing for Compliance

Compliance testing includes –

• Force testing using calibrated meters.
• Sensor functionality checks to ensure proper detection zones.
• Emergency override and fail-safe operation tests.
• Maintenance logs must be kept up to date, as required under PUWER 1998 and BS EN 16005.
• Non-compliance can result in fines up to £10,000, legal action, or invalidated insurance.

Standard for Different Requirements

• Max Impact Force: 67 Newtons (BS EN 16005).
• Fire Door Fail-Safe: Open within 5s (Fire Safety Order).
• Sensor Detection Zone: 1–1.5 meters (BS EN 16005).
• Inspection Frequency: 1–4 times/year (PUWER / BS EN 16005).
• Legal Penalties: Up to £10,000 fine (Fire Safety Order).

Accessibility Regulations for Automatic Doors in the UK

Automatic doors indicate a marvel of modern, inclusive design. And it should grant seamless access to individuals with disabilities. Accessibility is governed by legal mandates and technical standards

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 legally obliges service providers, employers, and public institutions to make reasonable adjustments. Automatic doors are a key part of this obligation.

• Wheelchair Access: Doors must provide a minimum clear opening width of 850mm to accommodate standard wheelchairs. Thresholds should be flush or ramped to avoid obstruction. Sliding doors are preferred for their wider clearance and ease of use.

• Visual and Auditory Indicators: Visual contrast between door frames and surrounding walls helps users with impaired vision identify entrances. Audible signals (beeps or voice prompts) are recommended for hearing-impaired users, especially in high-traffic or emergency areas.

• Button Placement: Activation buttons should be placed between 900mm and 1200mm from the ground, ensuring reachability for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Buttons must be marked and positioned within easy sightlines.

• Additional Specifications: Glass doors must have safety markings at two heights (typically 850mm and 1500mm) to prevent collisions. Touch-free options (motion sensors or Bluetooth triggers) are increasingly used to enhance hygiene and accessibility.

British Standard BS EN 16005

BS EN 16005 is the UK-adopted European standard for the safe and accessible operation of automatic pedestrian doors. It complements the Equality Act by providing technical benchmarks.

• Door Opening Speed: Doors must open slowly enough to avoid injury but quickly enough to allow safe passage. The standard limits kinetic energy to 1.69 joules, which translates to a minimum opening time of 3 seconds for swing doors to reach 80°.
• Clear Width and Height: Minimum clear width: 850mm for wheelchair access; 1000mm recommended for high-traffic areas. Minimum height clearance: 2000mm to accommodate tall users and equipment.

Telescopic or double-leaf doors may be used where space constraints exist. Speed must be adjustable based on user type, slower for elderly or disabled users.

Key Specifications Regarding Accessibility

• Door Width for Wheelchairs: ≥ 850mm (Equality Act / BS EN 16005).
• Button Height Range: 900–1200mm (BS EN 16005).
• Door Opening Speed: ≥ 3 seconds to 80° (BS EN 16005).
• Visual Markings on Glass Doors: At 850mm and 1500mm heights (BS EN 16005).
• Legal Obligation: “Reasonable adjustments” (Equality Act 2010).

A UK hospital upgraded its entrance with wider sliding doors, high-contrast frames, and touch-free activation pads. It resulted in a 22% increase in patient satisfaction scores, aside from complete compliance with accessibility audits.

Installation and Maintenance Requirements for Automatic Doors in the UK

Installation Regulations

Qualified Installers: Automatic doors are classified as machinery under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, requiring installation by competent professionals.

Installers must be trained to BS EN 16005 standards, which cover safety, accessibility, and operational integrity. Associations like ADSA (Automatic Door Suppliers Association) and ADIA offer certification programs to ensure installers meet national benchmarks.

Compliance with Standards: Installations must adhere to –

• BS EN 16005: Safety in use of power-operated pedestrian doors.
• BS EN 12453: Protection against crushing, shearing, and impact hazards.
• BS EN 12635: Installation and maintenance protocols.

These standards ensure –

• Proper sensor placement and force limitation.
• Emergency override systems.
• Accessibility features like button height and door width.

Ongoing Maintenance and Compliance

Service and Inspection Schedules: BS EN 16005 recommends at least one annual inspection by a qualified technician. High-traffic environments (hospitals, retail centres) may require biannual or quarterly servicing.

Weekly visual checks by staff are advised to spot issues like sensor misalignment or debris in tracks. Maintenance includes –

• Force testing with calibrated meters.
• Sensor calibration and lens cleaning.
• Emergency override functionality checks.

Documentation

A Log Book is mandatory under BS EN 16005 Annex I, detailing –

• Installation date and installer credentials.
• Risk assessments and force test results.
• Maintenance history and component replacements.

Documentation is crucial for –

• Insurance claims: Non-compliance can void coverage.
• Audits and inspections: Proof of servicing and safety checks.
• Legal protection: Demonstrates due diligence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Legal Penalties

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, breaches involving automatic doors on escape routes can result in fines up to £500,000 or imprisonment for severe violations.

Minor offences (missing signage or improper sensor calibration) may incur fines up to £5,000, while major breaches (blocked emergency exits or non-functional fire-rated doors) can lead to unlimited fines.

Civil Liabilities

Businesses can be held liable for personal injury claims if automatic doors malfunction and cause harm. Common incidents include –

• Doors close on individuals due to faulty sensors.
• Entrapment injuries from excessive force or delayed opening.

Compensation payouts vary based on injury severity –

• Minor injuries (bruises, sprains): £2,000–£5,000.
• Severe injuries (fractures, amputations): £10,000–£100,000+.

Courts often consider whether the business maintained proper inspection logs, risk assessments, and compliance with BS EN 16005.

Impact on Business Operations

Prohibition Notices may be issued, restricting access to premises until safety issues are resolved. Insurance policies can be voided if non-compliance is proven, leaving businesses exposed to full liability for damages.

Operational downtime due to failed inspections or required upgrades can lead to lost revenue and disrupted services.

Reputation and Customer Trust

Non-compliance with the Equality Act 2010—such as inaccessible button placement or narrow doorways—can result in legal action and public backlash.

Businesses failing to accommodate disabled users risk being labeled non-inclusive, which can deter customers and violate ethical standards.

Public Perception and Media Exposure

In today’s digital age, incidents involving automatic door injuries or accessibility failures can quickly go viral, damaging brand reputation.

A fire-related incident tied to non-compliant doors can lead to negative publicity, mainly if fatalities or serious injuries occur.

There are the robust legal underpinnings of the Building Regulations 2010, and then there’s the Equality Act 2010 for the critical safety benchmarks outlined in BS EN 16005. In total, the UK’s framework for automatic doors is clear – safety, accessibility, and accountability are non-negotiable.

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