Important updates to the industry standards for automatic doors.
Industry standards for automatic doors have been updated, requiring all suppliers and fitters to familiarise themselves with the new legislation. Additionally, they must inform customers with older installations about the changes, as announced by the Automatic Door Suppliers’ Association (ADSA).
Why These Updates Matter
Since 1985, ADSA has set quality and safety benchmarks for the automatic door industry, developing standards to ensure your doors are safe and reliable. As proud ADSA members, we prioritise staying up-to-date with these regulations to provide the best service and products. ADSA established the first code of practice for the "safety of doors for pedestrian use," BS 7036:1988, which set the standard for automatic doors and remains applicable for installations from 1988 to 2013. Our automatic door engineers are trained and certified by ADSA, ensuring they meet current regulations before installing and servicing automatic doors.
The current automatic door safety standard, BS EN 16005, is due to be update. Automatic door companies will be required to implement these new standards for all new installations. Customers who have already had a recent installation need not worry, as luckily, we are ahead and fully comply with these standards.
Understanding the Changes
Risk Assessments
Completing a risk assessment to BS 7036-0 is crucial to ensure optimum safety procedures. This assessment will consider the building's usage and users, as well as safety devices, the approach, risks of using the automatic door, entrapment, minimizing drawing-in hazards, and identifying any other potential hazards.
Prevention of Contact
A significant update is the requirement for a “non-contact preferred route” to minimize hazards, especially for those who may be unsteady on their feet. We strive to design out risks using physical barriers or, if necessary, install safety devices like sensors. These measures ensure your doors are compliant and safe. We prioritise "designing out" risks with physical barriers like pocket screens to minimize accident potential. This approach is our preferred advice. If eliminating the hazard isn't feasible, we recommend installing safety devices like sensors. While these options may not be the cheapest, they are likely the most compliant and safest solutions.
Finger Guard Protection for Swing Doors
New standards require protective devices to cover the bottom half of the door, reducing the protected height to 1,900mm. This change addresses the most common areas where accidents can occur.
Barriers for Swing Doors
Barriers must now be 900mm in height, angled at 90 degrees, and designed to prevent objects from passing through. A sphere with a 100mm diameter should not pass through any gaps, and an 8mm sphere should not fit under the barrier. Fortunately, we already meet these standards. Those installed within the last year do not need any advisory warnings.
How These Changes Affect You
The updated standards can be applied retrospectively to older installations. We will advise you on any necessary updates to ensure your doors are safe and compliant with the new regulations. Our priority is your safety and the safety of your site’s users, helping to eliminate potential risks.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Sales team or Service Department. We’re here to help you navigate these changes smoothly.