Electric gate safety
Safety photocells
All electric gate safety is predominantly geared towards safety to pedestrians who come into contact with the gate system.
The areas that need to be addressed are the potential crushing zones at the hinge points and any closing gaps ie; pillars and centre of the gates.
On sliding gate systems there is also danger of crushing on the closing /opening /dragging and gate stops.
A comprehensive view on the current legislation that covers the safe operation of gate systems can be viewed in the PDF below.
Click on pdf for full government guidlines and standards for safe automated gate operations
Gate Safety video
Safety edges
Safety lasers
Above is a typical set of safety photocells.They work by an invisible laser beam when in alignment with one another. If that beam is broken ie: by walking through or car breaks the beam the circuit is broken and the gates will re~open or stay in their position until the obstacle passes.
In the video above is a demonstration of a working gate safety edge. These are installed to negate crushing hazards in the danger zones which are the hinge points, gate closing edges and shearings areas.
Safety curtains or lasers detect somewhat like a blanket covering from top to bottom of the gate mainly used on commercial gates.
Finger guards
Finger guards are very effective when fitted to the hinge points of gates and are our preferred method of safety in that area. They need very little maintenance after fitment and do not have any electronic parts to potentially break down.
Safe Installation
Our first and foremost priorities for installation of electric gates must be safety, along with a detailed outline of a risk assessment to the user and the public.
There have been multiple fatalities and many people are injured each year via poor installations, inadequate safety equipment and poorly maintained electric gates.
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The industry is governed by the Machinery directive (2006/42/EC) and by law all installers should adhere to this practice of safe gate installation under these guidelines. The onus is on the gate installer to provide adequate equipment for the job at hand and put into place all safety measures to ensure everything that can be done should be done for safe operation.
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At Guardian Gates we will be happy to detail a comprehensive written risk assessment of any installation and recommend certain measures to ensure safe operation.
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Ultimately the owner of the equipment has a responsibility to upkeep the maintenance of the gate installation with 6 monthly or yearly service intervals to ensure continuity of gate operation and safety.
Electrical safety ( PART -P)
Click on the link below for current regulations schedule
All electrical installations whether inside or out have to adhere to the building regulations PART P standard of competent electrical installations and be carried out by a certified engineer.
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At Guardian Gates all of our engineers are fully qualified electricians and are affiliated to the PART P scheme for signing off and certificating their work after completion.
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If you are considering having gates installed at your property then at the very least the company undertaking the work should be PART P registered.