What Is BS EN 16005? The Automatic Door Safety Standard

You'll see "BS EN 16005 compliant" on the footer of pretty much every reputable automatic door company's website — including ours. But what does that actually mean, and why should you care as a business owner rather than an engineer? Here's the plain-English version.

What BS EN 16005 Actually Covers

BS EN 16005 is the European (and UK-adopted) standard for the safety in use of power-operated pedestrian doorsets. It applies to automatic doors used for normal access, as emergency exits, and as fire-resistance or smoke-control doors. In practice, that means horizontal sliding, swinging, folding and revolving automatic doors are all bound by it — essentially every type of automatic door you'd find on a shop, office, hospital or public building entrance.

The Core Safety Requirements

The standard sets out specific, testable requirements rather than vague principles:

• Safety sensors. The door must be fitted with sensors that detect people or objects in its path, so it doesn't close on someone.
• Clear areas. The space around the door must be kept free of obstructions that could interfere with safe operation.
• Emergency escape. The door must have a way to be opened manually or fail safely if there's a power failure or other emergency.
• Signage. Clear signage must indicate the presence of an automatic door and which way it opens.
• Hazard prevention. The design must prevent specific injury risks — impact, crushing, drawing-in and shearing — at every pinch point.

Is BS EN 16005 a Legal Requirement?

Strictly speaking, the standard itself isn't a law — it's a technical specification. But it is the recognised, industry-standard route to demonstrating compliance with two pieces of legislation that are legally binding: the Machinery Directive/Regulations, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which require any work equipment (including an automatic door in a workplace) to be safe and properly maintained. In practice, that makes BS EN 16005 the standard every commercial automatic door installer and servicer should be working to.

Maintenance & Compliance: The Annual Service Requirement

BS EN 16005 doesn't stop at installation. It requires power-operated doorsets to receive periodic maintenance at least once a year, carried out by an authorised service company, with the visit documented in writing. That documentation matters — it's what proves ongoing compliance if your insurer, a fire risk assessor, or the HSE ever asks.

What Happens If Your Automatic Doors Aren't Compliant

An automatic door that fails to meet BS EN 16005 — a missing sensor, no emergency escape function, or a lapsed annual service — isn't just a compliance box left unticked. Under PUWER, unsafe or unmaintained work equipment can result in enforcement action from the HSE, and if someone is injured by a door that hasn't been properly serviced, it can seriously undermine a business's liability insurance and its legal defence.

Common Questions

BS EN 16005 FAQs

Is BS EN 16005 a legal requirement?

The standard itself isn't law, but it's the recognised route to demonstrating compliance with PUWER 1998 and the Machinery Regulations — both of which are legally binding for automatic doors used in a workplace.

How often must automatic doors be serviced under BS EN 16005?

At least once a year, by an authorised service company, with the visit documented in writing. High-use commercial entrances are often serviced more frequently as part of a planned maintenance schedule.

What types of doors does BS EN 16005 cover?

Power-operated pedestrian doorsets used for normal access, emergency exits, and fire/smoke-control doors — including sliding, swinging, folding and revolving automatic doors.

Who can carry out BS EN 16005 servicing and inspections?

A competent, qualified engineer from an authorised service company — not general maintenance staff. Documentation of each visit should be kept as evidence of compliance.

What's the difference between BS EN 16005 and PUWER?

PUWER is the actual UK law requiring work equipment, including automatic doors, to be safe and maintained. BS EN 16005 is the technical standard that specifies what "safe" looks like — meeting it is how you demonstrate PUWER compliance.