Everything You Need to Know About Automatic Door Barriers

Everything You Need to Know About Automatic Door Barriers

Automatic doors are part of everyday life in the UK — from supermarkets and schools to hospitals and office blocks. They improve accessibility, convenience, and energy efficiency. But with powered doors comes responsibility.

 

One of the most important safety measures, often overlooked until an audit or accident, is the automatic door barrier. Under BS EN 16005 and BS 7036-0, barriers are a compliance requirement — not just a nice-to-have. They play a vital role in protecting pedestrians, reducing liability, and ensuring your doors pass inspection.

 

Whether you’re installing swing doors in a school corridor or sliding doors at a retail entrance, barriers are critical. This guide covers everything you need to know about automatic door barriers in the UK, from the standards that apply to the practical differences between swing and sliding systems.

Why Automatic Door Barriers Matter

Automatic doors are powered, heavy, and fast-moving. If not properly controlled, they can cause impact injuries or entrapment. Barriers act as a visible, physical safeguard:

  1. They stop pedestrians from entering danger zones.
  2. They guide traffic flow safely through entrances.
  3. They ensure compliance with UK automatic door safety standards.

In short, barriers protect both people and businesses — reducing accident risks while keeping doors compliant with BS EN 16005 and Approved Document K.

12 Key Barrier Requirements for UK Compliance

1. Swing Doors Over 100mm Need Barriers

If a swing door leaf sweeps more than 100 mm into a pedestrian path, a barrier is required under BS EN 16005 (clause 4.6.8) and Approved Document K (Building Regulations).

 

2. Minimum Height of 900mm

Barriers must stand at least 900mm high (clause 4.6.8.2). This prevents children or adults from stepping over.

 

3. 100mm Sphere Rule

The 100 mm sphere test (clause 4.6.8.3) ensures gaps aren’t large enough for a head, limb, or body part to slip through — a key entrapment safeguard.

 

4. Orientation and Extension

Per clause 4.6.8.4, barriers must be set at 90° to the door and extend 25mm beyond the open leaf, fully enclosing the danger zone.

 

5. Strong Enough to Resist Impact

Annex C requires barriers to withstand 740 N/m of horizontal force, ensuring durability against trolleys, wheelchairs, or heavy knocks.

 

6. No Climbing or Crawling

Clause 4.6.8.5 prohibits designs that encourage climbing or crawling. Smooth, solid panels are safer than mesh or rail designs.

 

7. Acceptable Alternatives

Clause 4.6.9 allows pocket screens or structural elements instead of barriers, but only if they deliver equivalent protection.

 

8. Sliding & Folding Door Clearances

For sliding/folding doors, clause 4.6.10 sets strict pocket-zone clearances:

  • Gap < 100mm → clearance ≥ 200mm
  • Gap > 100mm → clearance ≥ 500mm

9. Sensor Activation Distances

Per clause 4.3.6, doors must activate before users reach danger zones: 1,400mm (frontal approach) or 700mm (side approach).

 

10. Risk Assessments Are Mandatory

BS 7036-0 requires risk assessments for all power-operated doors, covering hazards, barriers, and sensor coverage. These must be documented for building owners.

 

11. Historical Codes Still Apply to Older Installs

The BS 7036 series (1996) guided UK automatic door safety before EN 16005. Many older sites still reference it, so engineers should be aware when upgrading.

 

12. Barriers Are Part of a Bigger Compliance Framework

Barriers sit within the wider BS EN 16005 safety system — including signage, servicing, log books, and escape routes. Compliance is holistic, not piecemeal.

Swing vs Sliding Automatic Doors: Barrier Differences

Not all doors are the same, and compliance depends on door type.

Swing Doors

  • Hazard: Sweeping arc into pedestrian routes.
  • Barrier requirement: Compulsory if swing exceeds 100mm (EN 16005: clause 4.6.8).
  • Other needs: Sensors must detect people before they enter the arc.
  • Best for: Retrofits or narrow openings.

 Sliding Doors

  • Hazard: Crushing/entrapment between moving leaf and jambs, or in pocket zones.
  • Barrier requirement: Pocket screens or set clearances (200–500mm) under EN 16005: clause 4.6.10.
  • Other needs: Presence sensors covering thresholds to prevent door closure on users.
  • Best for: High-traffic entrances (supermarkets, hospitals, airports).

 Key Differences at a Glance

Aspect
 Swing Doors Sliding Doors
Hazard zone Sweeping arc into pedestrian path Crush/entrapment at jambs or pockets
Barrier role Compulsory if > 100mm swing (EN 16005) Pocket screens / clearance per EN 16005
Min. clearance Not relevant (barrier instead) 200–500mm depending on gap
Sensor priority Detect approach before swing arc (EN 16005) Detect threshold & approach distances (EN 16005)
Best use cases Narrow or retrofit openings High-traffic, wide entrances

 

Automatic door barriers in the UK are more than just add-ons. They’re a legal requirement under BS EN 16005 and BS 7036-0, as well as a practical safety feature that protects people and businesses alike.

  • Swing doors need barriers to stop people entering the sweep zone.
  • Sliding doors require pocket screens, controlled clearances, and threshold sensors.

For installers, understanding these requirements means compliant installations and fewer call-backs. For facilities managers, it means reduced risk, satisfied auditors, and safer buildings.

Most importantly, automatic door barriers ensure that every entrance is as safe and reliable as the people passing through it deserve.

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