How To Use This Guide
Imagine the main entrance of a busy NHS clinic: a wheelchair user, a parent with a pushchair and a porter with a trolley all arrive at once. Which door type, control position and sensor setup lets them pass safely without delays? This guide is for facilities teams, specifiers and homeowners who need to check or specify automated swing and sliding doors so they work for everyone.
In our experience, simple measurements and clear photos resolve most uncertainties. You’ll get practical checks, decision points for door selection, a short evidence pack checklist and pointers for safety testing. On site, take a tape, camera and recent force/pressure test data from your maintainer. Photograph glazing manifestation and floor finishes and keep maintenance logs to hand. Useful references: BS EN 16005 audit checklist (https://www.accessauto.co.uk/bs-en-16005-automatic-door-safety-audit-checklist/), what is DDA (https://www.accessauto.co.uk/what-is-dda/) and selecting doors guidance (https://www.accessauto.co.uk/selecting-automatic-doors-swing-or-sliding/).
From ‘DDA’ To Equality Act: What Changed And What Still Applies
People still say “DDA‑compliant doors” but the legal duty now sits under the Equality Act 2010. The duty is to make reasonable adjustments so disabled people aren’t placed at a substantial disadvantage. Design standards — BS 8300, Approved Document M and BS EN 16005 — help achieve that outcome in practice.
A common issue we see is assuming a single standard covers every scenario. Treat the Equality Act as the outcome, and use BS 8300/Part M for design guidance and BS EN 16005 for powered‑door safety checks.
Choosing The Right Automated Door Type
Sliding doors maximise clear width, reduce wind load and suit trolleys and wheelchairs; they also support partial‑open modes for energy saving. Swing doors work well where openings are narrower or for simple retrofits. Revolving doors always need an adjacent accessible bypass door.
Think about use: hospitals and retail prioritise hands‑free flow and redundancy; schools and leisure need durability; domestic settings favour quiet, simple controls. See comparison guidance: https://www.accessauto.co.uk/selecting-automatic-doors-swing-or-sliding/.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Core Accessibility Requirements: Space, Width, Thresholds, Visibility
Aim for at least 850 mm effective clear opening on accessible routes, verified against Part M and BS 8300 tables for the specific approach. Provide turning and waiting space on both sides so users can stop safely. Keep floor finishes level and slip‑resistant.
Keep thresholds minimal (target 5 mm internal, up to 15 mm external with chamfered edges) and add contrasting manifestation on glazing at two heights (c.850–1000 mm and 1400–1600 mm). A common mistake is poor contrast between hardware and door surfaces — choose clear visual contrast for all users.
What Most People Get Wrong
We regularly find activation controls hidden behind signage or mounted too high. Controls must be obvious, consistent and reachable from a side‑on approach, not tucked around a corner.
Quick Checklist
- Measure effective clear width with a tape in shot.
- Photograph manifestation and thresholds.
- Note control heights and lateral clearance.
- Ensure floor finishes are level and non‑slip.
Controls And Touchless Activation
Controls should be 900–1100 mm above finished floor level with 300–500 mm lateral clearance. Use large, tactile push pads or wave sensors with high‑contrast markings and consistent mounting across entrances. Provide visual and audible feedback on activation and a clear failure message if access is denied.
Safety By Design (BS EN 16005): Sensors, Speeds And Fail States
Start with a site‑specific risk assessment. Specify presence detection that covers approach, side screens and the sweep zone. Overhead radar, infrared or LiDAR plus safety edges are chosen to match the risk. Set opening/closing speeds and dwell so users with reduced mobility can pass safely.
Define obstruction behaviour (reopen/stop) and a safe default for power loss. Integrate doors with the fire strategy so escape routes unlock and egress remains free. Verify performance with a competent engineer’s force/pressure test and keep records. See sensor and integration guidance: https://www.accessauto.co.uk/automatic-door-sensors-radar-infrared-lidar-safety-edges/ and https://www.accessauto.co.uk/align-access-control-with-fire-strategy/.
Hardware And Locking
Choose lever or D‑shaped pulls (19–35 mm diameter) with 35–45 mm knuckle clearance and maintain consistent mounting heights (typically 900–1000 mm). Avoid round knobs and tight‑grip latches. Locking must preserve free egress; select fail‑safe or fail‑secure according to your fire and security strategy and confirm behaviour on power loss.
This image was generated with AI and may not always represent the product or service exactly.
Comfort, Hygiene And Energy Efficiency
Use vestibules or airlocks where draughts and stack effects are significant. Tune dwell times and opening angles to match footfall and reduce heat loss; use partial‑open modes out of hours. Promote touchless journeys in healthcare and food settings and consider antimicrobial finishes where infection control is critical.
Maintenance And Records
A daily check should confirm sensors are clean, mats lie flat, manifestation is intact and doors operate normally. Train staff to spot issues and never wedge fire doors or disable safety features. Schedule competent servicing (busy commercial sites commonly six‑monthly; low‑use/domestic at least annually) and retain risk assessments, force/pressure tests and service sheets.
When This Doesn’t Apply
Small, single‑dwelling installations with no public access may not need full BS 8300/ADM-level documentation, but safety and free egress remain mandatory. Domestic owners should still follow manufacturer guidance and keep basic service records.
Scenario Checklists For Common Sites
Healthcare: sliding doors, wide clear opening, touchless activation, redundant detection and fail‑safe unlocking on alarm. Schools/leisure: robust aluminium frames, high visibility and simple controls. Homes/micro‑retail: safe egress, simple wave pad or fob and reliable failsafe behaviour.
Evidence Pack: How To Document Compliance
Photograph measurements with the tape in shot for clear width, thresholds and control heights. Save close‑ups of manifestation and vision panels. Include the risk assessment, BS EN 16005 force/pressure test results and a dated maintenance schedule with signatures. Record activation logic, fail states and any fire alarm integration.
Next Steps: Book A Tailored Site Assessment
On survey, our engineers measure clear widths and heights, observe traffic patterns, confirm sensors and activation logic, review fire strategy integration and check locks for safe egress. We document findings and prioritise safety actions. To book a practical, engineering‑led review, contact Access Automation via https://www.accessauto.co.uk/contact/.
FAQs
Which Door Type Best Matches My Site Needs?
Choose sliding for wide openings, high footfall or windy sites; choose swing for narrow openings or simple retrofits. Base the decision on approach space, traffic mix and the risk assessment.
How Do I Demonstrate Accessibility Compliance?
Collect photos with a tape, the risk assessment, force/pressure test results to BS EN 16005 and a dated maintenance log. Record any reasonable adjustments and user feedback.
Where Is The Best Place To Mount Activation Controls?
Mount controls 900–1100 mm above floor with 300–500 mm lateral clearance, consistently on the approach/latch side and visible from the approach path.
How Often Should Automated Doors Be Serviced?
Typically every six months for busy commercial sites and at least annually for low‑use or domestic settings; follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and keep records.
Can Access Control Prevent Emergency Escape?
No. Escape routes must allow free egress. Integrate access control with the fire strategy so doors unlock on alarm or follow the required fail behaviour.
Are Revolving Doors Ever Acceptable As The Only Entrance?
No. Provide an adjacent accessible alternative that meets clear‑width, control and detection requirements for all users.