What are the most important BS EN standards for industrial doors?

In warehouses, factories, distribution centres, and commercial buildings across the country, industrial doors are a core component of site performance and security. 

These doors ensure people, stock, vehicles and machinery can be moved safely and easily throughout the site. At the same time, they also maximise the site’s safety standards, including their levels of security, fire protection and personnel safety. 

As they play such a critical role in site operations, industrial doors have to maintain compliance with a number of key regulations, including BS EN standards. This ensures consistently safe and reliable performance throughout the door’s lifespan. 

In this article, Access Innovations’ expert team have shared a comprehensive guide to understanding the most important BS EN standards for industrial doors. 

Why must industrial doors meet BS EN standards? 

BS EN standards play a vital role in ensuring industrial doors operate in a safe and predictable manner. 

This is particularly important for industrial doors, for a number of reasons:

• Industrial doors are large and heavy units 
• Often, industrial doors are power-operated 
• Industrial doors are used very frequently throughout the day, often experiencing high operational stress
• Industrial doors can represent a significant safety risk, if a malfunction occurs 
• Without the right levels of maintenance or compliance, industrial doors can encounter mechanical failure (which can pose a risk of user injury, damage to goods, or compromised fire safety and security) 

As a result, BS EN standards (harmonised British/European standards) are designed to provide site managers with clear, consistent performance criteria and safety benchmarks. 

These standards detail a number of requirements, covering mechanical performance, the performance of other key components, safety features, power supply and fire resistance, among others. It also governs specifications for their installation and maintenance. 

What are the most important BS EN standards for industrial doors? 

BS EN 13241 

The main standard for industrial doors.  

BS EN 13241:2003+A2:2016 outlines safety and performance requirements for industrial doors (both power operated and manually operated units). 

It specifies the required manual operating forces and mechanical resistance, including durability and protection against common hazards. This standard is also used to govern industrial doors’ performance assessments and CE/UKCA markings.

BS EN 16034 

For industrial doors that provide fire resistance or smoke control. 

This includes industrial doors that are used in fire escape routes or for building compartmentation, for example. 

This standard details the requirements for industrial doors that are used as part of building fire resistance or smoke control strategies. 

BS EN 12453 & BS EN 12445

For power operated industrial doors.

• BS EN 12453 – Establishes safety requirements to minimise the risks associated with using power operated industrial doors.
• BS EN 12445 – Details test methods to ensure safety compliance.

BS EN 12604

For ensuring mechanical integrity and the correct operation of safety functionality.

BS EN 12604 specifies mechanical requirements for industrial door components, alongside appropriate methods for their testing.

Safety Standards for Components and Hardware

• BS EN 1154 – For door closers.
• BS EN 1935 – For single axis hinges.
• BS EN 12209 – For mechanical locks and latches.
• BS EN 1760-2 – For safety devices and pressure-sensitive protective edges.
• BS EN ISO 13857 – Specifying safety distances for hazard zones. 

By working with an accredited, trusted and reputable supplier of industrial doors, you can ensure the maximum standards of safety and compliance are being maintained in your site. 

At Access Innovations, we specialise in the supply, installation and maintenance of state of the art industrial doors. So, to find out more about BS EN standards and compliance, or to explore best fit industrial doors for your site, our team are here to help.