In today’s healthcare and public sector environments, accessibility is not optional it’s a legal obligation. The need to ensure buildings are safe, inclusive and fully accessible has become an essential consideration at every stage of the design and specification process. One crucial component of this is achieving DDA compliance, particularly when it comes to doorways and entry points.
For architects, specifiers, and estates teams working in healthcare settings, custom aluminium doors provide a durable, adaptable, and regulation-ready solution.
This blog explores how they can support DDA compliance while enhancing both the function and form of the built environment.
What is DDA compliance and why does it still matter?
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) was landmark legislation in the UK, aiming to end discrimination against disabled individuals in various areas of life, including access to public spaces. While the DDA was superseded by the Equality Act 2010, the term DDA compliance remains widely used in architectural, construction and healthcare circles as shorthand for meeting accessibility requirements.
Put simply, DDA compliance ensures that buildings including hospitals, clinics, care homes and GP surgeries can be safely accessed and navigated by all users, regardless of physical ability. This includes features like low thresholds, automated openings, clear widths for wheelchairs, and accessible hardware that can be operated without dexterity.
The consequences of failing to meet these standards can be serious: from legal and reputational damage to costly retrofits, inspection failures, and reduced usability for patients and staff alike.
What is the threshold for DDA compliance?
The threshold for DDA compliance is defined by a series of building regulations and guidelines. Key among them is:
- Part M of the Building Regulations (Access to and use of buildings)
- BS 8300-2:2018 (Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment)
- NHS Building Notes (HBNs) for hospital and healthcare design
For doorways, this includes:
- Minimum effective clear widths (usually 800mm–1000mm depending on context)
- Low or flush thresholds (maximum 15mm)
- Visual contrast on door edges and hardware
- Ease of use including automation, low operating force, and appropriate door furniture
Weatherite Aluminium Healthcare can be specifically engineered to meet each of these thresholds, offering design flexibility without compromising on performance.
What is an aluminium facade system and how do doors fit in?
Aluminium is widely used in facade and entrance systems for its strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resiastance, and design versatility. An aluminium facade system typically includes a combination of curtain walling, windows, and doors all engineered to deliver high performance across thermal efficiency, aesthetics, durability, and accessibility.
In healthcare applications, aluminium doors are often integrated into wider facade systems to ensure consistency and compliance across the entire building envelope. This is especially relevant in busy environments where hygiene, airflow, and access control must be carefully balanced.
Key design features that support DDA compliance
When specifying doors for DDA compliance, healthcare facilities must consider a range of user needs from wheelchair users and people with visual impairments, to the elderly or those with temporary injuries. Aluminium doors can be tailored to include:
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Automated Operation
Automatic or powered door openers reduce barriers for users who may have limited strength or mobility. Sensors, push pads and touchless systems all support ease of access. Explore our full range of automatic doors, systems built for healthcare and public access environments.
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Low-Profile Thresholds
Aluminium door systems can be designed with thresholds as low as 15mm or fully flush, reducing trip hazards and allowing smooth wheelchair passage.
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Wider Clear Openings
Where wider door openings are required such as in bariatric areas or for beds and equipment aluminium systems can be customised to provide larger single or double-leaf access.
- Visual Contrast and Signage
Custom powder-coated finishes allow aluminium doors to meet visual contrast guidelines, helping users with visual impairments navigate the environment more easily.
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Accessible Ironmongery
Door handles, push plates, and locking systems can be designed to operate without pinching, grasping or twisting essential for meeting DDA compliance standards.
You can explore how these principles are applied in practice in our Customising Aluminium Systems blog, which showcases design flexibility in high-performance environments.
Why aluminium doors are ideal for healthcare environments
The healthcare sector brings unique challenges: high footfall, infection control, security, and 24/7 operational needs. Aluminium doors are particularly well-suited to these demands:
- Durability: Aluminium resists corrosion, warping and wear, even in demanding hospital environments.
- Low maintenance: Ideal for settings where downtime isn’t an option.
- Hygienic finishes: Available with antimicrobial coatings and smooth, easy-clean surfaces.
- Custom integration: Compatible with access control, fire safety, and ventilation systems. Our security doors can be tailored with access control, fire ratings and compliant hardware.
According to the UK Parliament, over 16.1 million disabled people live in the UK, with many relying on healthcare facilities daily. Ensuring these environments are accessible isn’t just good practice it’s essential infrastructure.
Supporting healthcare design from specification to installation
At Weatherite Aluminium Solutions, we’ve worked closely with NHS Trusts, architects and main contractors to deliver bespoke aluminium door systems for hospitals, mental health facilities and healthcare campuses across the UK.
From entrance doors and emergency exits to cleanroom-compliant interior doors, every system is tailored to meet the exact requirements of the space including DDA compliance, HTM guidance, and operational safety.
Whether retrofitting a care home or building a new outpatient centre, partnering with an experienced aluminium specialist helps reduce risk and futureproof your asset against regulatory change.
Final thoughts: Beyond compliance, towards better experiences
While DDA compliance is the legal standard, it should be seen as the minimum. Truly inclusive design means thinking beyond box-ticking towards environments that are intuitive, dignified and welcoming for all.
Custom aluminium doors allow designers and specifiers to embed this thinking from the outset: delivering access solutions that don’t just pass inspection but improve how people move through and interact with healthcare spaces.
Need help meeting DDA compliance on your next project?
Get in touch to explore our range of custom aluminium door systems, purpose-built for healthcare.