Automatic Door Barriers – Safety & Compliance in the UK
Superior Performance, Intelligent Control, and Exceptional Durability
Why automatic door barriers are essential
Under BS EN 16005 and UK Building Regulations (Approved Document K), barriers are a mandatory safety measure for automatic doors. These physical barriers:
- Prevent pedestrians from walking into moving doors, especially when a door leaf swings out by more than 100 mm.
- Must be at least 900 mm high, rigidly installed, and designed so a 100 mm sphere cannot pass through or under them
- Be installed at right angles to the door face, extending beyond the door’s full open width by at least 25 mm
Without compliant barriers—or equally effective measures—your installation may not meet legal safety requirements and could fail inspections.
Why Barriers Matter (and What Can Happen Without Them)
- Provide a physical safety zone, directing pedestrian traffic away from moving doors.
- Help meet legal and insurance obligations, protecting both users and landlords from accidents.
- Without compliant barriers, facilities risk non-compliance fines, insurance complications, and safety incidents—especially in public and commercial premises.
Key Features and Advantages
DDA Compliant Design
Meets all relevant UK disability and accessibility requirements, providing safe passage for all pedestrians, including wheelchair users.
Heavy-Duty Construction
Built to endure constant use in busy commercial environments, ensuring reliable, long-lasting performance.
Safety & Compliance
Available with optional toughened safety glass infill, specifically designed to meet BS 7036 and BS EN 16005 standards.
Stylish Finishes
Supplied as standard in an attractive RAL 9006 matt silver finish. Bespoke powder-coated finishes available on request (note: custom orders typically delivered within 7–10 working days).
Easy, Versatile Installation
Designed for quick and straightforward installation, suitable for both floor-to-floor and floor-to-wall mounting configurations.
Multiple Infill Options
Choose from toughened safety glass, solid infill panels, or unglazed barriers to meet specific safety and aesthetic requirements.
Key Specifications:
- Height: 900 mm to meet BS EN 16005 standard.
- Barrier Type: Rigid aluminium profiles, non-climbable and tamper-resistant.
- Mesh/Infill: Designed to prevent a 100 mm sphere from passing through.
- Installation: Mounted at 90° to door face and flush with full open door
Aluminium Barrier Solutions – Built for Safety & Style
Our premium aluminium barriers are engineered to meet or exceed standards, while blending elegantly into your entranceway:
- Height: 900 mm (legal minimum)
- Strength: Withstands ≥ 740 N/m horizontal impact, ensuring robustness.
- Gap Control: Solid infill or mesh construction prevents 100 mm passage.
- Design: Installed at 90° to the door, extending at least 25 mm beyond the door leaf.
- Options: Choose from sleek finishes—anodised, powder-coated, or brushed—to complement door frames and interiors.
Benefits of Choosing Our Aluminium Barriers
- Fully compliant Fully compliant with BS EN 16005 and building regulations.
- Long-lasting & sturdy – withstand normal impact without deformation.
- Low maintenance – corrosion-resistant and easy to clean.
- Sleek and customisable finishes to match door framing or décor.
- Rapid UK-wide dispatch with professional fitting support.
DDA-Compliant Automatic Door Barriers – Robust, Safe & Versatile
Categories:
- Automatic Door Barriers
- Pedestrian Safety Posts & Barriers
- Automatic Door Accessories
- Safety & Accessibility Equipment
Our range of DDA-Compliant Automatic Door Barriers is specifically designed to guide pedestrian traffic safely while ensuring full accessibility and compliance with UK disability standards. Ideal for commercial spaces with heavy footfall, these barriers deliver outstanding durability in settings such as retail stores, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and public facilities.
Swing Door Barriers – Safety in Motion
For automatic swing doors, barriers channel pedestrian flow, preventing accidental entry into the swing area. Especially effective in:
- Healthcare settings where patient safety is critical.
- Healthcare settings (libraries, hotels, transport hubs) with busy traffic.
Properly positioned at 90° to the door plane, our aluminium barriers ensure impact resistance, child safety, and compliance
- Orientation: Installed at 90° to door swing
- Height: ≥ 900 mm
- Safety Gaps: Blocks ≥ 100 mm object passage
- Compliance Standards: BS EN 16005, Part K regulations
- Material: Rigid aluminium with solid infill
- Fixing Requirements: Load-bearing and tamper-proof
Barrier Type & Installation Guidance
- Crucial for public areas: hospitals, offices, schools, retail
- Installed perpendicular to swing to guide foot traffic and prevent collisions
Sliding Door Barriers – Essential for Safety & Regulation
Though sliding doors pose lower swing risk, barriers are still recommended under BS EN 16005 to manage pedestrian flow and protect against unintended entry into active areas. Used in:
- Retail outlets with large glass doorways.
- Office entrances where biometric or card access is installed.
Our aluminium barriers add a visual and physical cue to help users navigate safely around sliding doors.
- Orientation:Mounted parallel or offset to track
- Height: ≥ 900 mm
- Safety Gaps: Prevents intrusion into sliding zone
- Compliance Standards: BS EN 16005, Part K regulations
- Material: Aluminium with option for glass panels
- Fixing Requirements: Secure to wall or door frame
Barrier Type & Installation Guidance
- Recommended even for sliding setups, to manage pedestrian paths and enhance visual awareness
- Mounted parallel to the door or offset to suit architectural designs
BS EN 16005 & BS 70360 – Barrier Requirements Explained
BS EN 16005: Mandatory Safety Standard for Automatic Doors
- Specifies that barriers must be at least 900 mm high, positioned at 90° to the door plane, and extend beyond the full open width of the door by at least 25 mm, to prevent pedestrians walking into the swing zone.
- The barrier must not allow a 100 mm sphere to pass through or under it, ensuring no part of the body can enter the moving door area
- Required for both swing and sliding door setups where the leaf intrudes more than 100 mm into pedestrian flow.
BS 70360: Code of Practice for Powered Pedestrian Doors
- Supports BS EN 16005 with comprehensive risk assessment guidance, specifying responsibilities for safe installation, clear signage, and maintenance.
- Reinforces barrier design: 900 mm height, and capable of resisting at least 740 N/m of horizontal force
- Advises that barriers be installed between 25 mm and 100 mm from the fully open door leaf, with more stringent safety requirements for vulnerable user groups
Risk Assessment & Compliance
Risk Assessment & Retrofitting
Under EN 16005:2023, all automatic door systems (new or existing) require a risk assessment to validate safety protections—even Barriers remain the preferred safety solution unless you implement an equivalent protective measure.
Our team provides onsite surveys, expert risk assessments, and bespoke installation to ensure complete compliance and safety.
Risk Assessment & Ongoing Management
Under BS 70360 and BS EN 16005, you must perform a risk assessment if introducing barriers (or alternative safety measures):
- Conducted by trained professionals, evaluating traffic flow, potential entrapment, and user groups.
- Recommendations must be documented and signed off.
Regular inspections are required to ensure barriers remain secure, undamaged, and compliant.
Get Compliant, Stay Safe
Protect your users and your compliance record—choose our high-quality aluminium safety barriers for automatic swing and sliding doors. Contact us today to arrange a free site evaluation and bespoke quote.
FAQ'S
Are barriers mandatory for both swing and sliding doors?
Yes—BS EN 16005 and Building Regs require barriers whenever a door leaf intrudes more than 100 mm into a pedestrian route .
Can I use glass panels instead of aluminium?
Aluminium with solid infill is preferred for impact resistance and safety. Glass infill can be used if it meets the same structural and visibility standards.
Do these apply to existing automatic doors?
Yes. If modifiable, existing doors must be retrofitted to meet standards—even if installed before 2013
Will barriers meet disability access regulations?
Yes—when properly positioned, barriers guide foot traffic without obstructing wheelchair users, ensuring safe and accessible entryways.
How far must barriers extend?
At least 25 mm beyond the fully open door leaf; gaps must not exceed 100 mm.
Get in Touch
Get in touch with us today for quotes, technical support, or detailed product enquiries. We offer delivery across mainland England, Scotland, and Wales.