Why Are Automatic Doors Important For Care Homes?

Automatic doors in care homes allow residents to enjoy a safe and independent living environment. Having automatic doors installed at the entrance and throughout the premises helps residents move around independently, provides clear access for wheelchairs, mobility aids, beds and medical equipment, and also creates a welcoming environment for residents, staff and visitors. 

In addition to supporting DDA compliance, automatic doors for care homes provide plenty of other benefits. As leading installers of automatic doors, NDS is here to explain why every care home should have multiple automatic doors. 

Improved Accessibility for Residents & Visitors 

Easier Access for Wheelchair Users & Mobility Aids 

Manual doors can be heavy and difficult to open, especially for care home residents. Automatic doors provide much easier access throughout the care home, especially for those using mobility aids and wheelchairs. 

For those using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking frames, automatic doors provide wide openings and can open and close without any manual effort needed.

Supports Residents with Reduced Mobility 

Care home residents with reduced mobility face higher risk of injury when using manual doors. Automatic doors can reduce fall risks, provide safer movement between rooms and communal spaces and make life easier for elderly residents with limited strength. Care homes with automatic doors also help enhance and maintain independent living for residents too, which is something many people highly value in their later years. 

Better Access for Visitors & Emergency Services 

Automatic doors in care homes don’t just provide more convenient and safe access for residents, they also offer seamless entry for visitors and emergency services. 

Visitors can enter a care home seamlessly with an automatic door installed and also benefit from enhanced hygiene measures, as touchless entry minimises the spread of germs. 

District nurses, emergency services and paramedics will be required to attend situations in care homes. With automatic doors, paramedics can swiftly gain entry to the premises, and with options like automatic sliding doors, they’ll have plenty of room to manoeuvre patient transport systems and other medical equipment.

In addition to reducing congestion at entrances for visitors and emergency services, automatic doors also benefit deliveries and maintenance teams coming and going from the care home premises. 

Helping Care Homes Meet Accessibility Requirements 

Automatic doors are needed in care homes to meet full accessibility requirements. Part M of the building regulations act explains the systems needed to provide inclusive access and inclusive use of buildings and their facilities. Automatic doors are the ideal solution to support this regulation. 

The Equality Act 2010 also mandates that care homes provide reasonable adjustments to remove or alter physical features that make access impossible or unreasonably difficult. Many choose to alter existing manual doors into fully automatic doors to meet these legal obligations, and doing so also supports inspections carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 

Enhancing Safety Within Care Homes  

Safer Movement Through Doorways 

Automatic doors can be fitted with controlled opening and closing speeds, allowing safer movement through doorways and reducing the risk of doors slamming shut. They can be fitted with various mechanical hardware to achieve this, such as door pinch guards and pneumatic dampers. Plus, you’ll improve the well being of residents who are sensitive to slams and other loud noises caused by doors. 

With controlled operation, residents, visitors and staff can easily and safely move between different areas of the care home, which is particularly beneficial for vulnerable residents with disabilities. 

Combine these safety features with door designs that are clear of sharp edges, excessive gaps and steep rises (following BS EN16005), you’ll also minimise trip and collision hazards, helping to make your care home premises safer for all who move throughout it. 

Sensor Technology & Obstacle Detection  

Sensors are standard features of automatic doors for care homes. These detect people and obstacles automatically to prevent the doors closing while obstructions are present. This is crucial for environments like care homes with slower-moving users. 

There are different sensors to choose from, with some more suited for certain areas of a care home, such as pressure sensors for entrances or areas where more mobility aids are used. Sensored entry at entrances and throughout the interior of a care home will give residents and staff confidence about ease of access, better hygiene standards and unrestricted independence where appropriate. 

Fire Safety & Emergency Access 

Automatic doors for care homes will be made from fire-resistant materials and can be integrated with fire alarm systems to support safe evacuation procedures. There’s also options for fire-rated automatic swing doors that support compartmentation, which is a passive fire protection strategy designed to contain flames, smoke and other harmful contaminants during evacuation. 

Controlled Access & Security 

While residents highly value independence, with automatic doors able to support this, care homes often require controlled access to staff areas, storage for medication as well as specific areas for dementia care, for example. Some of the most popular controlled access systems that provide high security in care homes include:

• Keypads
• Fob systems
• Intercoms
• Unique staff access controls

Sensitive areas of the care home can remain secure and only allow authorised personnel to move freely and far more quickly compared to traditional lock and key systems. 

Infection Control & Hygiene Benefits 

Reduced Contact with Shared Surfaces 

Care homes and other healthcare environments must follow strict protocols for infection control, and this has become even more prevalent since the pandemic. Every user can benefit from hands-free access thanks to sensor systems and other access controls like fob systems for staff. Visitors will appreciate the extra precautions concerning hygiene control, and automatic doors at the entrance and fitted internally all help to support ongoing hygiene protocols. 

Cleaner Care Environments  

On top of mitigating the spread of germs and bacteria, automatic doors for care homes offer further hygiene benefits. Staff can easily carry equipment, PPE and medical supplies through different areas, providing quick support for residents in need. Care homes can reduce contamination risks between rooms and put in place stronger containment strategies during illness outbreaks. 

The Best Types of Automatic Doors for Care Homes 

So, we’ve established that automatic doors for care homes provide plenty of benefits, but which automatic door system do you choose? There are a number of options that are available, each with their own advantages for different areas of the care home premises. 

Automatic Swing Doors

Automatic swing doors are popular for internal corridors and fire doors found in care homes. They provide reliable accessibility without requiring major structural alterations, making them a practical option for both new and existing care facilities. Their smooth operation also helps residents and staff move more safely and comfortably throughout the building. 

Automatic Sliding Doors  

Automatic sliding doors are commonly installed at main entrances where there is frequent movement of residents, visitors and staff. Their wide opening space makes access easier for wheelchairs, mobility aids and care equipment, while also creating a more welcoming and professional entrance to the care home. 

Access-Controlled Doors for Secure Areas 

Access-controlled automatic doors help improve security and safeguarding within care home environments. These systems can restrict entry to sensitive or high-risk areas while still allowing authorised staff to move efficiently throughout the building. This is particularly beneficial for protecting vulnerable residents and securing medication or staff-only spaces. 

Choosing the Right Automatic Door System for a Care Home 

Choosing the right automatic door system for a care home depends on the needs of residents, staff and the building itself. Important factors to consider include accessibility, safety, security and the level of daily foot traffic throughout the premises. 

Resident mobility is a key consideration, as doors should allow easy access for wheelchairs, walking aids and care equipment. Busier areas, such as main entrances, may benefit from automatic sliding doors, while internal corridors and quieter spaces are often better suited to automatic swing doors. 

Fire safety requirements should also be considered, particularly where fire-rated doors and alarm integration are needed. In addition, access controlled doors can help improve security in restricted areas. 

It is also important to choose systems suitable for internal or external use, with external doors designed for durability and higher traffic levels, while internal doors focus more on accessibility and ease of movement. 

Why Choose Northern Door Solutions for Care Home Automatic Doors? 

Experience in Healthcare & Care Environments 

At NDS, we have years of experience installing automatic doors for the care sector. We understand the various accessibility, safety and access control requirements of the sector. Our doors can be integrated with fire safety systems, and we ensure the doors meet all compliance regulations to support your residents quality of life. 

Tailored Solutions for Care Facilities 

We can install bespoke automatic door systems for care homes that are based around resident and staff needs. If you have an existing manual door, we can also retrofit it to become fully automated, featuring secure access control and sensors for secure and seamless movement throughout the premises. 

Installation, Repairs & Maintenance Support 

Care home automatic doors can only remain compliant and safe if they are well-maintained, serviced and repaired if unexpected issues arise. At NDS, we provide all these key services with a compliance-focused approach. 

Automatic doors for care homes aren’t just recommended, they’re required to meet UK regulations and help provide the best care setting for residents as possible. To discuss new door systems or retrofit existing manual doors into automatic systems, reach out to our expert team today by calling 0330 133 3795. You can also email info@northerndoorsolutions.co.uk or send us an enquiry using our contact form.