Many automatic gate installations are installed around the UK each year. They protect our children which may be at risk during school hours; we also use these systems to protect sensitive areas like Hospitals, Air Ports, Ferry Terminals, Police Station, Courts, & Prisons including the M.O.D. For domestic use we find there applications in and around our Family Homes, Hotels, and Courted Areas including car parks.
Ironically it is our perceived need and request for these types of security systems that make us all feel more secure and less vulnerable to crime, and possible violence to our persons.
There are thousands of automatic gate systems installed around the UK, with very few accidents reported considering the numbers being installed mostly around the home and industry. We all need to keep a level head on this! Yes the industry is growing and that is not a bad thing, if however you insist on using an AESIF installer we will keep a check on the work to make sure that it is up to standard, but we need your help, only the consumer can always insist on an AESIF approved installer for peace of mind.
Local authorities and the construction industry have pledged help in the use of AESIF Approved installers and it is hoped now that central government will back legislation for a registered installers scheme to fit within the industry. AESIF hopes to arrange a meeting with the O.D.P.M as soon has possible.
Having said all of this you know that children will always find these moving objects fascinating, they find it practically impossible not to touch! It does not mater how many time you tell then not to get to close, they are just drawn to then, and will try to sneak a ride its common nature because they don’t see the harm.
Now I do not profess to be a child psychiatrist, but has an adult and a parent, I am aware of the dangers, which they just are not going to see. Parents have an obligation to make them aware and understand for example: not to stand behind the gate in opening.
There are Machinery Directives and BS Standard that govern this industry, which may sound logical to the lay man, however these standards were not with all due respect designed to protect the very innocent and venerable, and the youngsters of our society. Why! Because they assume that children are accompanied by adults or will act like wise, it is not a consideration that they will sit down in the gate way or play around unprotected areas associated with these gates.
It is important that all installers bear these points in mind when making a risk assessment on site. Property owners have a duty to ensure that all persons on foot or that use vehicle in their comings and goings through the gate way are protected from the residual risks of their use. Barriers such as railing which are designed and intended to protect the return end of a sliding gate, in the absence of additional safety devises, should not in turn present further risk and entrapment.
Warning notices are required at all automated electric gate ways for pedestrian use, or should inform them if the gates are not intended for pedestrian use.
Safety beam are designed to stop the gate and / or reverse the gate to an open position, without being touched by a person with the gate leaf in travel, in the light of the incidents that have happened, I would personally recommend that all gate are fitted has minimum with one set of safety beams to the outside edge of all properties gate entrance ways that have swing gates or sliding gates to a height of not more than 50cm from ground level or grater than 5 cm from the leading edge of the gate leaf in the closed position. All safety beams should run parallel to the gate in the fully closed position..
Sliding gate should have deformable carbon safety edges to the end of the moving leaf with a reaction time of not grater than 0.75s in the direction of travel. 'This is not required to the return if enclosed'. Deformable carbon safety edges are now recommended to the position of the support post/posts to prevent entrapment or dragging in.
Dynamic forces on all types of gates powered by automation, swing / sliding gates and barriers must not exceed a working force of more than 400N for a period of more than 0.75s and the force must drop to 150N of force by the time this period has elapsed. The static force shall come down to 25N after 5 seconds have elapsed.
If installers are in doubt as to compliance with the above requirement they should always fit other safety features.
The owners of automatic gate are reminded of there duty under the health & safety act to protect the general public and trades people i.e. postman delivery and refuse collection in ensuring that their gates are properly maintained and serviced at leased once yearly. AESIF hold a registrar for installed and recorded gates in the UK, to protect both parties.
Finally all should have due respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
It is now possible to be prosecuted under the law.
Certificate of Competence, courses are hoped to resume at AESIF from mid September 2010 for installers wishing to under take training.
John Birkett
Director General AESIF