What is BS EN 16005?

12 January, 2024

BS EN 16005 is a set of guidelines that have been developed to ensure the safe installation and operation of powered pedestrian and commercial doors.

Automatic doors are complex pieces of equipment that contain numerous moving parts. They are required to operate efficiently and safely to ensure the welfare of users. To ensure the safe installation and operation of automatic doors they are required to meet standards set out in BS EN 16005.

What is BS EN 16005?

Published by the British Standards Institution, BS EN 16005 sets out comprehensive requirements for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of automatic doors. It set out a framework that aims to minimise some of the risks associated with automatic doors and to provide safety for users. To achieve this, the standard sets out a range of elements that should be incorporated into any automatic door installation.

The key requirements for automatic door installation as set out in BS EN 16005 include:

Safety Sensors

Automatic doors must be equipped with safety sensors that identify the presence of people or objects.

Safety Zones

The area around the automatic doors should be clear of any potential obstructions.

Emergency Escape

Automatic doors should have a means of escape should there be a power failure or other emergency that prevents their operation.

Proper Signage

There should be clear signage pointing out the presence of automatic doors and the direction they open.

Maintenance

Regular automatic door maintenance should be carried out to ensure that they operate safely and efficiently. BS EN 16005 must be complied with in full to ensure legal obligations are met and the safety of users is assured.

Is BS EN 16005 a Legal Standard?

The BS EN 16005 standard alone is not law, but it is the requirement for any automatic door to be legally compliant with the Machine Directive and The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which are legal regulations. As well as meeting the requirements of BS EN 16005, the doors must be safe. Failure to comply with BS EN 16005 could result in legal consequences and potential liability for any accident or injuries caused by non-compliant automatic doors. Anyone who designs, installs and maintains automatic doors should be fully aware of the specifications outlined in the standard.

How Often Should Automatic Doors Be Serviced?

Regular servicing of automatic doors is essential to ensure efficient operation, safety and longevity. The frequency at which your automatic doors are serviced will depend on several factors, including the type of doors you have, the rate at which they are used, your site and environmental conditions.

As a general rule, automatic doors should be serviced at least once a year. Regular servicing will usually include several inspections and adjustments, checking that safety features are all functioning correctly, and identifying any potential issues before they have a chance to develop. Regular maintenance helps to prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures safety and continued compliance with safety standards such as BS EN 16005.

Automatic door servicing with Safetell

With our trusted automatic door servicing, repairs and maintenance service, our customers can avoid costly and inconvenient breakdowns. We work to a “repair not replace” policy which means we only replace parts as a last resort if fixing them is no longer an option. We also offer specialist service to Automatic door repairs in London.

Our system agnostic service means we don’t try and sell unnecessary products. Instead, we give you confidence that your doors are well-maintained and meet the necessary safety standards.