Automatic Door Maintenance Checklist for UK Premises

Automatic doors are relied on hundreds or even thousands of times each day in busy shops, offices, healthcare settings, schools and public buildings. When they work as intended, they support accessible, efficient entry and exit. When they begin to behave inconsistently, however, a minor issue can quickly become a safety concern, an access problem or an inconvenient breakdown.

This automatic door maintenance checklist is designed for UK premises managers, business owners and property teams. It distinguishes the straightforward checks an occupier can carry out as part of normal site routines from the inspection, adjustment and repair work that should be completed by a competent automatic-door technician.

The aim is not to turn site staff into engineers. It is to make it easier to notice early signs of wear, damage or unreliable operation, report them clearly and arrange professional attention before a fault disrupts your premises.

What occupiers should check — and what they should not

A simple visual and operational check can be completed by a nominated, suitably briefed member of staff. This should involve observing the door in normal use, keeping the entrance clear and reporting anything unusual. It should not involve removing covers, accessing the operator, changing settings, adjusting sensors, lubricating mechanisms or working on electrical components.

The Health and Safety Executive states that work equipment used at work must be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair. It also notes that maintenance must be carried out safely and by people who are competent for the task. HSE guidance on maintenance of work equipment is a useful reference when setting responsibilities and reporting arrangements. ([hse.gov.uk](https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/maintenance.htm))

Frequent occupier checks are important, but they do not replace professional inspection and maintenance. The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) makes this distinction clearly: owner and occupier checks should sit alongside the inspection and maintenance undertaken by an authorised door technician. ([adsa.org.uk](https://adsa.org.uk/faqs))

Daily automatic door maintenance checklist

Build these checks into your opening routine, regular site walk-round or shift handover. The exact frequency should reflect footfall, the environment, the door type and the manufacturer’s instructions. A hospital entrance or busy retail store may need closer observation than a lightly used staff entrance.

1. Keep the doorway, threshold and approach clear

• Remove litter, leaves, grit, standing water and other debris from the threshold and guide area.
• Check that mats, temporary displays, delivery cages, bins and furniture do not obstruct the opening or closing path.
• Make sure approach areas are clear enough for people using wheelchairs, walking aids, pushchairs or trolleys.
• Look for anything that could interfere with sensors, activation devices or the movement of the door leaves.

A clear entrance helps the door operate consistently and makes it easier to identify whether a problem is with the door itself rather than an obstruction.

2. Look for visible damage or loose components

• Inspect glazing, frames, rails, seals and door leaves for cracks, chips, impact damage or signs of vandalism.
• Check that required manifestation markings, warning stickers and directional signage remain visible and secure.
• Look for loose trims, covers, handles, floor guides or any component that appears to be rubbing, catching or out of position.
• For sliding doors, observe whether the leaves appear to run evenly and meet correctly when closed.

Do not attempt to tighten, realign or remove any part of the door. Photograph the issue where practical, prevent people from coming into contact with a damaged area and report it for professional assessment.

3. Observe a normal operating cycle

From a safe distance, watch the door open and close in the way users would normally activate it. You are looking for consistent behaviour, not carrying out technical adjustments or tests.

• Does the door activate when a person approaches or uses the intended activation device?
• Does it open smoothly, without hesitation, jolting or scraping?
• Does it remain open for an appropriate period to allow people through?
• Does it close smoothly and fully, without slamming, dragging or leaving an unexpected gap?
• Does the door behave consistently over several ordinary cycles?

If your site has a documented occupier test procedure supplied by the installer or maintenance provider, follow that procedure. Avoid improvised testing methods and never interfere with protective devices, sensors or safety settings.

4. Check that the entrance remains understandable to users

• Confirm that signage is legible, especially where there are separate pedestrian routes, one-way arrangements or manually operated breakout doors.
• Check that access-control readers, push pads and intercoms are not visibly damaged or obstructed.
• Where the door forms part of an escape route, make sure the route is not blocked and that staff know the site’s emergency arrangements.
• Report a door that appears locked, unavailable or unreliable when it should provide normal access or escape.

Warning signs that need a professional inspection

A door does not have to stop completely before it needs attention. The following symptoms can indicate a developing mechanical, electrical, control or safety-system issue. Arrange a prompt inspection by a competent engineer rather than waiting for the fault to worsen.

• Delayed or missed activation: the door opens late, only after repeated attempts or fails to respond consistently.
• Repeated opening or reopening: the door cycles unexpectedly, reopens when the area appears clear or cannot settle into its normal closed position.
• Unusual noises or vibration: grinding, scraping, knocking, squealing or excessive vibration during movement.
• Uneven movement: one leaf moves differently from the other, the door slows unexpectedly, jolts or appears to drag.
• Visible damage: cracked glass, bent framing, damaged guides, loose covers, impact damage or damaged activation equipment.
• Unreliable safety devices: sensors, presence detection or protective features appear inconsistent or have been damaged.
• Closing and locking faults: the door does not close fully, remains partly open or no longer secures as expected outside trading hours.
• Escape-route concerns: a fault affects the door’s emergency function, its availability on an escape route or the safe passage of users.

If you cannot be confident that the door is safe to use, follow your site’s safety and emergency procedures. Do not leave a potentially unsafe automatic door operating simply to keep the entrance convenient. A competent engineer can assess the fault, advise on safe temporary arrangements and carry out the necessary repair.

When should you call an engineer urgently?

Some faults should be treated as urgent because they may affect public safety, access, security or emergency egress. Contact an engineer without delay if the door has suffered an impact, moves unpredictably, traps or strikes users, has damaged glass, will not secure the building, or affects an escape route or emergency operation.

For an out-of-hours fault that needs rapid attention, Entador provides 24-hour emergency door repairs for automatic doors and roller shutter systems. When reporting a fault, provide the door location, type, symptoms, whether it is safe to use and whether the issue affects access, security or escape.

Planned maintenance: what it adds beyond daily checks

Daily checks are useful because they catch obvious changes quickly. Planned maintenance goes further. A competent technician can inspect the operator, mechanical movement, controls, activation and safety systems in line with the equipment, its use and the manufacturer’s maintenance information. They can also identify worn parts or developing faults that are not obvious during normal operation.

This matters particularly for entrances exposed to high footfall, poor weather, trolleys, deliveries, cleaning chemicals or frequent opening cycles. Keeping a clear record of reported faults, inspections, maintenance visits and repairs also gives facilities teams a stronger basis for managing recurring issues and planning remedial work.

There is no one-size-fits-all servicing interval that suits every automatic door. The appropriate schedule should be based on the manufacturer’s guidance, risk assessment, traffic levels, environment, door configuration and any history of faults. HSE advises employers to use manufacturer maintenance instructions as a guide, particularly where safety-critical features are involved. ([hse.gov.uk](https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/maintenance.htm))

For UK context, BS EN 16005:2023 sets out safety-in-use requirements and test methods for power-operated pedestrian doorsets, including sliding, swing, revolving and folding doors. It covers normal access as well as doors used in escape routes and fire- or smoke-control applications. It is an important current standard, but it should be applied alongside a suitable assessment of the specific door and the people who use it. ([knowledge.bsigroup.com](https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/power-operated-pedestrian-doorsets-safety-in-use-requirements-and-test-methods-2))

A simple reporting process for site teams

A clear reporting process prevents small concerns from being forgotten between shifts. Ask staff to record:

• the door location and time the problem was observed;
• what happened, including noises, delays, repeated cycles or visible damage;
• whether the fault was intermittent or constant;
• any immediate action taken under the site procedure; and
• whether access, security, user safety or emergency egress may be affected.

This information helps an engineer arrive prepared and can make it easier to spot a repeating pattern, such as faults appearing at peak times, after deliveries or during poor weather.

Maintain safer, more reliable entrances with Entador

Entador Systems has more than 40 years’ experience repairing, maintaining and replacing automatic doors. Its planned automatic door maintenance contracts can be tailored around your premises, door setup and operational requirements, helping you identify issues before they become disruptive failures.

If this checklist has highlighted a current fault, explore Entador’s automatic door repair, servicing and replacement support. To discuss planned maintenance or request urgent assistance, contact Entador Systems or call 0800 689 3468.

Frequently asked questions

How often should automatic doors be checked?

Occupier checks should be frequent enough to suit the entrance and how it is used, often as part of daily opening, shift or site-inspection routines. Professional maintenance frequency should be based on the manufacturer’s guidance, footfall, risk, site conditions and the door’s maintenance history.

Can staff clean an automatic door?

Routine cleaning of accessible surfaces may be appropriate if it follows your cleaning procedure and does not obstruct the doorway or introduce moisture into electrical or mechanical parts. Staff should not remove covers, adjust components, apply unsuitable lubricants or work on sensors, operators or wiring.

What should we do if an automatic door is making a grinding noise?

Record the noise, check from a safe distance for an obvious obstruction and arrange a professional inspection promptly. Grinding, scraping or repeated knocking can indicate a movement or component issue that should not be ignored.