Every day, thousands of people move through powered doors, speed lanes, turnstiles and revolving doors. But how do you determine whether those systems are safe for everyone who could reasonably use them?

As buildings become more complex and expectations around accessibility, safety and security increase, the industry needs guidance that helps organizations assess risks more effectively and make better-informed safeguarding decisions.

That's the challenge BS 7036:2026 is designed to help address.

Why was BS 7036 revised?

The revision of BS 7036 was driven by significant developments in the standards landscape since the previous edition was published.

The update was led by the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA), the UK's leading trade association for the powered pedestrian door industry. The revision was developed with input from industry representatives to help ensure the guidance reflects current technologies, operating environments and user requirements.

Most notably, the publication of BS EN 16005:2023+A1:2024 for power operated pedestrian doorsets and BS EN 17352:2022 for power operated pedestrian entrance control equipment introduced new requirements and expanded the range of equipment covered by European standards.

Speed lanes, powered turnstiles and other access control technologies are now common in offices, transport hubs, healthcare facilities, universities and public venues. While these European standards set important product safety requirements and test methods, they do not determine whether every installation is suitable for every environment or every user.

That is where BS 7036 plays a vital role.

The revised standard provides practical UK guidance on how to assess hazards, evaluate risks and determine appropriate safeguarding measures for specific installations. Rather than focusing solely on equipment performance, it helps organizations consider how systems will be used in practice and by whom.

A broader scope for modern entrance systems

One of the most significant changes in BS 7036:2026 is its expanded scope.

The revised standard covers:

• Power operated pedestrian doorsets.

• Power operated pedestrian entrance control equipment, including speed lanes and turnstiles.

• Manually operated revolving doorsets.

• Manual and powered vertical turnstiles.

• Turnstiles rotating through an angle.

This broader coverage reflects the reality of today's built environment, where organizations often operate multiple types of entrance systems across a single site.

The revision also applies established machinery risk assessment principles to both powered and manually operated pedestrian entrance systems, creating a more consistent framework for identifying hazards and reducing risks.

A new approach to vulnerable users

Perhaps the most important development within the revision is the strengthened focus on user vulnerability.

Instead of focusing primarily on percentages, organizations are encouraged to consider who could reasonably encounter an entrance and the potential severity of any contact or incident, including children, older people and individuals with temporary or permanent physical, sensory or cognitive impairments.

This shift recognizes how public buildings are actually used.

A corporate office may primarily serve employees but can also receive visitors, contractors, delivery personnel or members of the public. A healthcare facility, transport hub or retail environment may be used by people with a wide range of mobility and accessibility needs throughout the day.

As a result, the revised standard promotes a more realistic, application-specific assessment of risk and encourages safeguarding measures that reflect the actual users of the installation.

Clearer guidance for risk assessment and risk reduction

The updated edition also provides more detailed recommendations for assessing hazards and selecting appropriate safeguards.

BS 7036:2026 introduces clearer distinctions between low-risk and high-risk installations and provides more defined guidance on suitable risk reduction measures. It also identifies safeguarding measures that may not be appropriate for certain hazards, helping organizations avoid relying on controls that might not adequately protect users.

The intent is not simply to comply with product standards, but to help organizations understand whether a specific installation is safe within its operating environment.

This is particularly important where an incident could result in a fall or serious injury. The revised guidance encourages organizations to consider both the likelihood of contact and the possible consequences, leading to more robust decision-making throughout the lifecycle of an installation.

Supporting accessibility, safety and security

The revision arrives at a time when building owners and duty holders face increasingly complex responsibilities.

Entrance systems are often expected to achieve several objectives simultaneously. They must support accessibility, maintain security, enable efficient movement of people and allow safe emergency egress when required.

BS 7036:2026 helps organizations balance these competing requirements by providing a structured, risk-based framework for assessing entrance systems and selecting appropriate safeguards. 

The guidance is particularly relevant for locations where large volumes of people use speed lanes, turnstiles and other entrance control systems, including stadiums, transport hubs, hospitals, universities, office buildings and retail environments.

The standard also supports organizations considering how entrance systems interact with broader safety and security requirements.

What does this mean for users of the standard?

• For manufacturers, installers, specifiers and maintenance providers, BS 7036:2026 offers clearer guidance on how to assess risks and implement suitable safeguards.

• For architects and designers, it provides a framework for selecting appropriate entrance solutions during building design.

• For building owners, occupiers and facilities managers, it supports informed decisions about the safe operation and ongoing management of entrance systems.

• For health and safety professionals and duty holders, it offers a more consistent approach to identifying hazards and reducing risks for everyone who may use an entrance.

Ultimately, the revised standard reflects a broader industry shift towards more inclusive, risk-based decision-making. Rather than asking whether a door or entrance control system meets a specific technical requirement, BS 7036:2026 encourages organizations to ask a more important question: Is this installation safe for everyone who could reasonably use it?

Get your copy of BS 7036:2026 today.