ANSI 156.10 · BHMA A156.19 Compliance

Automatic Door Inspections
Metro Detroit & Southeast Michigan

Power-operated door inspections for commercial properties across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Full ANSI 156.10 and BHMA A156.19 compliance, documented and managed end-to-end.

ANSI 156.10 Compliant
BHMA A156.19 Compliant
ADA Accessible Entry Requirements
Serving All of Metro Detroit

ANSI 156.10 & BHMA — automatic door standards

Power-operated doors — including sliding, swinging, and folding automatic doors — are governed by ANSI 156.10 (power-operated pedestrian doors) and BHMA A156.19 (power assist and low-energy power-operated doors). These standards define safety, force, and sensing requirements to protect users from injury.

Beyond safety, automatic doors that serve as accessible building entrances must also comply with ADA requirements for maneuvering clearances, opening force, and activation device placement. A door that is technically operational but does not meet accessibility standards creates both an ADA violation and a liability exposure.

Annual inspections are considered best practice and are required by many insurance carriers and facility management standards. Guardian provides documented inspections that satisfy both the safety standard and ADA requirements simultaneously.

Automatic doors that malfunction — striking or trapping users — are a significant liability exposure. Documentation of regular inspection is your best defense.

Which properties need automatic door inspections?

Any commercial property with power-operated pedestrian doors should maintain regular inspection records, including:

  • Office building lobbies and entrances
  • Shopping centers and retail stores
  • Medical offices and healthcare facilities
  • Hotels and hospitality properties
  • Grocery and big-box retail
  • Senior living and assisted care facilities
  • Government and institutional buildings
  • HOA and condo common entry points

Every system. Every safety function.

A complete ANSI 156.10 inspection covers the full door system — from sensing zones to opening force to emergency breakout performance.

01

Sensing & Detection

Presence sensor coverage, approach zone detection, safety zone detection, and reopen sensor function.

02

Opening & Closing Forces

Door opening and closing forces measured against ANSI and ADA requirements to prevent injury to users.

03

Speed & Timing

Opening and closing speed, hold-open time, and door delay settings verified for safe pedestrian use.

04

Emergency Operation

Breakout force, power failure operation, manual override, and emergency egress function.

05

Hardware & Mechanical

Drive mechanism, door panels, guides, seals, and all hardware for condition and proper function.

06

ADA Compliance

Activation device height and reach, maneuvering clearances, and accessible entry route compliance.

Inspection, documentation, and repairs — all managed

Guardian provides a complete automatic door inspection service, from scheduling through documentation and any necessary repairs.

01

Door Inventory

We catalog all power-operated doors at your property and establish an inspection schedule.

02

Full Inspection

Certified technicians inspect and test every function against ANSI 156.10 and ADA requirements.

03

Written Report

You receive a documented report with pass/fail status, measurements, and any deficiencies identified.

04

Repair Coordination

Any needed repairs or adjustments are coordinated through our licensed vendor network.

05

Records Retained

All inspection and repair records stored in your compliance portal and tracked for annual renewal.

Automatic door inspection FAQ

Are automatic door inspections legally required?
While there is no single federal law mandating annual automatic door inspections, ANSI 156.10 is referenced by many building codes and insurance policies. More importantly, automatic doors that malfunction and injure users create significant liability — and documented regular inspection is a key defense in any resulting litigation. Many commercial leases and facility management standards also require documented inspections.
How do automatic door requirements relate to ADA compliance?
Automatic doors serving as accessible building entrances must comply with ADA requirements in addition to ANSI safety standards. This includes activation device height and reach range, maneuvering clearances, and ensuring the door does not require tight grasping or twisting to operate. Guardian's inspection addresses both safety and accessibility requirements simultaneously.
What is the most common automatic door violation found during inspections?
The most common issues found during Guardian inspections are sensing zone coverage gaps, doors with closing forces that exceed safe limits, and activation devices installed at heights or locations that don't meet ADA reach range requirements. Many of these issues develop gradually as doors age and are adjusted over time.
Automatic door inspection services across Metro Detroit

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