How to Prepare Your Premises for Automatic Door Installation

Automatic doors have become a modern essential for businesses across the UK, offering convenience, accessibility, and professionalism. If you’re planning an automatic door installation, preparing your premises correctly will ensure the process is smooth and efficient. At Evolution Entrance Systems, we specialise in providing expert installation and maintenance services, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you should take before your doors are fitted.

Assess Your Entry Points

Before installation begins, it’s important to evaluate the entrance where your automatic doors will be fitted. This step ensures the system you choose will meet both functional needs and legal requirements.

Foot Traffic Volume

Think about how many people will use the entrance on a daily basis. A busy supermarket or hospital requires doors that can handle constant opening and closing, while a small office or boutique may only need a lighter-duty system.

Example: A retail store on a high street might benefit from sliding doors that allow multiple people to pass through at once, keeping foot traffic flowing smoothly.
Pro Tip: If your building experiences peak times (such as rush hours in transport hubs), consider doors with motion sensors and quick opening speeds to prevent congestion.

Door Type Suitability

Not every door system works for every space. Choosing the right type depends on available space, the flow of people, and the impression you want to give visitors.

Sliding Doors – Ideal for wide entrances with high traffic, commonly used in retail and healthcare.
Swing Doors – A great choice for smaller entrances or where space is limited. They can be automated to improve accessibility.
Revolving Doors – Perfect for hotels, office buildings, and airports where you want to control airflow and energy efficiency.
Pro Tip: Always consider the surrounding environment. For example, revolving doors reduce draughts in windy locations, while sliding doors maximise space in narrow corridors.

Accessibility Requirements

Your new doors should be inclusive for all users. UK law requires compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and Building Regulations (Part M) to ensure that entrances are accessible for people with disabilities, parents with prams, and the elderly.

Example: Hospitals often use wide automatic sliding doors to allow easy access for wheelchairs, trolleys, and stretchers.
Pro Tip: Install push pad activators or low-energy swing doors in areas where sensor-activated doors may not be suitable, such as quiet corridors or staff-only access points.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the basics, think about:

Security needs – Do you require controlled access systems such as keypads, card readers, or biometric entry?
Aesthetics – The entrance is the first impression of your building. Glass automatic doors can create a modern, professional look.
Weather protection – In exposed locations, consider doors with air curtains or revolving doors to maintain indoor comfort.

Clear the Work Area

For a smooth installation, it’s essential that the entrance area is properly prepared in advance. This ensures the engineers can work efficiently and safely, helping to avoid unnecessary delays.

Remove Obstacles

Make sure the area is clear of any furniture, displays, advertising boards, or temporary signage. Even small items can obstruct access or create trip hazards.

Example: A retail shop should move display stands away from the doorway the night before installation, ensuring customers and staff have alternative routes until the project is complete.
Pro Tip: If your entrance is in constant use, consider setting up temporary signage and barriers to safely redirect foot traffic during installation.

Ensure Safe Access

Engineers need clear access to both the inside and outside of the entrance to manoeuvre equipment and carry out work. Restricted access can slow the installation and increase costs.

Example: In office buildings located on busy streets, it’s often necessary to reserve parking or loading space near the entrance so equipment can be unloaded safely.
Pro Tip: If your premises are located in a pedestrianised or city centre area, check with your local authority about any permits required for deliveries or temporary road closures.

Plan for Equipment Delivery

Automatic door installations often involve large components such as door panels, frames, and sensor systems. If structural modifications are required (such as widening the entrance or strengthening walls), even more space may be needed.

Example: A healthcare facility may need to set aside a secure staging area where parts can be stored temporarily without disrupting patient flow.
Pro Tip: Always double-check the dimensions of hallways and doorways inside the building to ensure large parts can be transported safely to the installation site.

Electrical and Structural Considerations

Automatic doors require more than just the physical space—they also rely on power and solid structural support. Addressing these points ahead of time prevents last-minute complications.

Electrical Supply

Automatic doors run on a dedicated power source, and some models require backup power in case of outages.

Example: A supermarket installing sliding doors may need an additional dedicated electrical circuit to handle the demand.
Pro Tip: Hire a qualified electrician before installation day to install any necessary outlets or wiring. This avoids costly delays and ensures compliance with UK electrical safety regulations.

Structural Integrity

Your building’s structure must be strong enough to support the door frame and any additional components such as sensors, safety barriers, or glazing.

Example: If installing revolving doors in a hotel, the existing wall or façade may need reinforcement to carry the weight and support the rotational mechanism.
Pro Tip: Ask your installer to carry out a site survey in advance. This will highlight any reinforcements or modifications needed before work begins.

Pre-Installation Adjustments

Sometimes, minor building work is required to prepare for installation. This can include widening doorways, levelling floors, or adding safety features such as tactile paving for visually impaired visitors.

Example: A GP surgery may need to lower a step at the entrance to create level access before automatic swing doors can be installed.
Pro Tip: Factor in these adjustments when planning your budget and timeline. Addressing them early avoids last-minute surprises.

Plan for Business Disruption

While we aim to keep downtime minimal, it’s important to understand that some disruption during installation is unavoidable. Careful planning will reduce the impact on staff, customers, or patients.

Inform Staff and Customers

Clear communication is essential. Let everyone know in advance about the scheduled works, expected timelines, and any alternative routes.

Example: A retail store can display notices at the entrance and on social media to inform customers of temporary access changes.
Pro Tip: Use multiple channels—emails, posters, and staff briefings—to ensure no one is caught off guard.

Temporary Entry Points

If the main entrance is out of action during installation, consider setting up a temporary access route.

Example: In an office, employees may need to use a side or rear door for a short period. Clear directional signage should guide visitors to the correct location.
Pro Tip: Ensure temporary routes still comply with health and safety regulations—they must be well-lit, accessible, and safe for all users.

Choose the Right Timing

Scheduling installation during quieter times minimises inconvenience. For some businesses, this may mean evenings or weekends.

Example: Hospitals and healthcare facilities may opt for installation at night when patient visits are lowest.
Pro Tip: If your business cannot close, consider a phased installation where only part of the entrance is worked on at a time, allowing the rest to remain operational.

Compliance and Safety Checks

Installing automatic doors isn’t just about convenience—it’s also about meeting legal obligations and protecting building users. Every installation must adhere to strict safety standards.

BS EN 16005 Compliance

All automatic doors in the UK must meet the BS EN 16005 safety standard, which outlines requirements for design, installation, and testing. This ensures that doors operate safely and minimise the risk of accidents.

Example: Motion sensors and safety barriers are often required to prevent doors from closing on users.
Pro Tip: Always request certification of compliance from your installer as part of your records.

Accessibility for All

Automatic doors must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and Building Regulations Part M, ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users, people with mobility challenges, and parents with pushchairs.

Example: Wide sliding doors in shopping centres allow easy access for large volumes of customers, including those using mobility aids.
Pro Tip: Consider adding push pads, low-energy swing doors, or visual/audible indicators in areas where sensor activation may not be suitable.

Fire Safety Regulations

Doors must not compromise a building’s fire safety strategy. In some cases, they may need to integrate with fire alarm systems to automatically close or unlock during emergencies.

Example: Steel fire doors may be required in certain commercial premises, providing both accessibility and essential fire protection.
Pro Tip: Always consult with a fire safety officer or building inspector before finalising your automatic door design, especially in high-occupancy buildings.

At Evolution Entrance Systems, we ensure that every installation not only enhances accessibility and convenience but also meets the latest UK compliance and safety standards.

Conclusion

Preparing your premises properly is the key to a hassle-free automatic door installation. From assessing entry points and clearing the workspace to ensuring compliance, these steps will help you get the best results from your investment.Ready to upgrade your premises with professional automatic doors? Contact Evolution Entrance Systems today on 0800 161 5549 or email service@evolutionentrancesystems.co.uk to discuss your requirements.