How Often Should An Automatic Door Be Serviced?

Typically, an automatic door system should be serviced every 6-12 months but this should be adapted depending on the frequency of use. More high-traffic environments tend to require more regular servicing than those in lower-use locations. Routine automatic door servicing will help to identify minor issues long before they grow into more costly breakdowns or repairs.

Regardless of whether you have automatic sliding doors or swing doors, regular maintenance will help to improve safety ratings, reliability, legal compliance and the overall lifespan of the doors themselves. 

The Importance Of Automatic Door Servicing

Safety for Staff and Visitors

One of, if not the most important aspect of automatic door servicing is how it helps ensure safe operation for staff and visitors alike. This is even more important in areas like hospitals, care homes, office buildings, shops and schools. During servicing, engineers will check sensor calibration, the detection of obstructions and the force created during closing. This reduces the risk of malfunctions that could be dangerous to anyone passing through.

UK Safety Compliance

Building owners have a duty of care to keep automatic doors operating safely, while most workplaces must also meet health and safety obligations. Regular servicing supports compliance with recognised standards such as BS EN 16005 and demonstrates a proactive approach to ongoing maintenance.

Preventing Expensive Repairs

Without implementing routing automatic door servicing, any minor faults can quickly develop into major failures that could lead to costly repairs, extended downtime, emergency call out charges or refits. Components such as motors, tracks, rollers, hinges and door operators naturally wear over time.

So, How Often Should Automatic Doors Be Serviced?

Most automatic doors should be professionally serviced every 6–12 months, depending on how frequently they are used and the environment they operate in. Doors in busy public buildings typically require more frequent inspections than those in lower-traffic locations.

Low Traffic

Automatic doors in small offices, residential apartment blocks and internal office environments generally require servicing every 12 months. Annual maintenance is usually sufficient to keep components operating safely and efficiently while identifying normal wear before it becomes a larger issue.

Medium Traffic

Buildings with moderate daily use, such as schools, GP surgeries, commercial offices and hotels, should typically arrange servicing every 6 months. More frequent inspections help maintain reliable performance while reducing the likelihood of unexpected faults during busy periods.

High Traffic

Automatic doors in supermarkets, hospitals, shopping centres and airports experience significantly greater daily use and should normally be serviced every 3–6 months. Frequent maintenance helps minimise downtime, supports compliance and ensures doors continue operating safely under heavy demand.

Servicing for Automatic Sliding Doors

Automatic sliding doors contain several moving components that require regular inspection and adjustment to maintain safe, reliable operation. During a service visit, engineers will typically inspect rollers and tracks for wear or debris that could affect movement. Drive belts are checked for correct tension and signs of deterioration, while motion and safety sensors are tested and calibrated to ensure reliable obstacle detection. Door alignment is assessed to prevent uneven movement and opening and closing speeds are adjusted where necessary to meet manufacturer recommendations and relevant safety standards. These routine checks help maximise performance, reduce wear on key components and extend the operational life of the door system.

Common Problems With Sliding Doors

Common issues that tend to affect automatic sliding doors include things like jerky movements, slow opening speeds, faults in the sensors, excessive noises during operations and the doors sticking either during opening or closing.

Servicing for Automatic Swing Doors 

Automatic swing doors rely on several mechanical and electronic components working together to operate safely. During servicing, engineers inspect the door operator to ensure smooth and reliable performance, while hinges and pivot points are checked for wear, alignment and secure fixing. Safety sensors are tested to confirm they correctly detect pedestrians and obstructions. Opening force is measured and adjusted where necessary to comply with safety requirements, while emergency stop functionality is fully tested to ensure the system responds correctly if required. 

Regular servicing also allows worn components to be identified early, helping maintain consistent operation, minimise unexpected faults and prolong the lifespan of the complete door system.

Common Swing Door Issues

Any automatic swing doors can start to develop issues like failing to close fully, delayed opening, misaligned operator arms or sensor blind spots that reduce detection performance. Left unresolved, these faults can affect both user safety and accessibility. Routine servicing helps identify the underlying causes before they result in larger mechanical or electrical failures.

Automatic Door Servicing: What To Expect

During a professional automatic door service, our engineers will thoroughly inspect the door’s mechanical and electrical systems to ensure safe, reliable operation. Safety sensors, controls and operating functions are all tested, while components like tracks, rollers, hinges and operators are checked for wear and adjusted where needed. Any moving parts are cleaned and lubricated to improve performance and the door is fully tested to confirm smooth operation. Regular servicing helps prevent breakdowns, maintain compliance and extend the door’s lifespan.

Most automatic doors require servicing every 6–12 months, while high-traffic environments often benefit from more frequent inspections every 3–6 months. Regular automatic door servicing improves safety, supports legal compliance, enhances reliability and helps maximise the lifespan of your door system while reducing the risk of costly repairs.

If you would like to arrange for our professionals to conduct an automatic door servicing for you, call 0330 133 3975 or send an email to info@northerndoorsolutions.co.uk today.