What we do in Gwynedd
- Accessible door operators. Low-energy swing operators, push pads and wave switches that make existing public doors easier to open for wheelchair users, people with buggies and anyone carrying shopping. See accessible door operators.
- Automating existing doors. Where a door and frame in Gwynedd are sound, adding a sliding or swing operator can cost far less than replacing the entrance. The free survey checks whether it will work. See automating an existing door.
- Schools, councils and public buildings. Entrances for schools, libraries, leisure centres and civic buildings across Gwynedd, planned around term dates, opening hours and public access. See public buildings.
- Residential blocks. Communal entrance doors for housing providers and managing agents in Gwynedd, linked to door entry or fob systems where needed and serviced to a written record. See residential blocks.
Towns we list in Gwynedd
Automatic doors and the law in Wales
Under the Equality Act 2010, service providers and employers in Wales must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, which can include altering a physical feature such as a heavy entrance door.
Wales has its own building regulations guidance. Approved Document M (Wales) uses a lower opening-force limit than England, 20 N at the leading edge, before a powered door is called for, and expects external doors used by the public in new buildings to give at least 1000 mm of effective clear width.
In Great Britain a new or converted powered door must meet the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 before it is first used, and can carry the UKCA or the CE marking. Workplace law (the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992) expects powered doors to have suitable and effective features to stop them trapping anyone and, where needed for safety, to open by hand unless they open automatically if the power fails. Doors at work must also be kept in efficient working order under a suitable system of maintenance.
Doors on escape routes and fire doors are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In Wales, as in England, fire safety law says sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits.
Questions from Gwynedd
How often should automatic doors in Gwynedd be serviced?
There is no fixed legal interval. We recommend a trained engineer checks the safety functions at least once a year, with service intervals set by the manufacturer's instructions and how heavily the door is used; busy doors are often serviced more often. Each service visit is priced in writing first and ends with a written record.
How much do automatic doors cost in Gwynedd?
Prices depend on the door type, the size of the opening and what is already there. We publish guide prices for every service on our prices page, and the guide price tool gives a range before anyone visits. The same guide prices apply across the UK, and the written quote confirms the figure for your building.
How long does an automatic door installation in Gwynedd take?
Fitting an operator to an existing door often takes a day, and a complete sliding entrance typically takes one to three days on site once the door has been made. Lead times before that are typically two to eight weeks, depending on the door type. Your quote sets out the expected lead time and the time on site.
Can an existing door in Gwynedd be made automatic?
Often, yes. If the door, frame and hinges are sound, a swing or sliding operator can be added rather than replacing the whole entrance. The free survey checks the weight and condition of the door, the fixings, the space for the operator and the power supply. See automating an existing door for what is involved.
What happens to an automatic door in a power cut?
That depends on how the door is set up. Some doors open and stay open, some can be pushed open by hand, and some have a battery that keeps them working for a time or opens them once. Workplace health and safety law expects powered doors to be safe if the power fails. The right setting for a building in Gwynedd is agreed before installation.
Do businesses in Gwynedd have to fit automatic doors?
There is no blanket requirement. Service providers and employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people under the Equality Act 2010, and Welsh building regulations guidance expects entrances that are easy to open. An automatic door is a common way to meet both.