subject: Electric Gate Safety [print this page] There have been a number of accidents in recent years when young children were tragically killed in incidents with sliding gates in the united kingdom . This obviously reinforces exactly how vital the safety of automated gates can be . With safe practices then being the primary consideration the European Union classes this kind of electronic gates as machinery andthereby are lawfully required to meet the requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 98/37/EC . The United Kingdom upholds this law and it is applied within "The Supply of Machinery ( Safety ) Regulations 1992" . Those set of laws outline a number of requirements for health and safety which have been deemed as essential for all machinery . As automatic gates are defined as machines under these standards , all manufacturers , suppliers , installers and also owners of electronic gates in European Union countries consequently need to comply with the relevant legal guidelines . Those authorized automatic gates should bear the CE mark and also match the necessary British Standards unique for gate safety , BS EN 12978 and BS EN 12453 .
The gates installation technician as opposed to the manufacturer is responsible for making sure the gates operate in accordance with the regulations . Regulation EN 12453 describes safety issues through the installation process , with EN12445 describing the testing method before use . This sets out test points and maximum force right through the gates travel . Later a thorough risk assessment will need to take place with the numerous cutting and crush points presented to the property owner in addition to instruction detailing any such protection systems to be had . Full details of the installers recommended upkeep program needs to be provided together with affirmation that all electric powered equipment fitted bears the European CE mark . Testing , employing something referred to as a "calibrated force tester" is essential , because an untested gate would not comply by default , also results of the test will have to be stored for a full seven years .
It is possible to observe , however not too widely regarded , that with safety being of principal relevance , along with the countless amount of legal regulations a huge amount of working experience together with training is important for those concerned with the design , installation and repairs and maintenance of automatic gates . Despite that legally speaking while there is no formal prerequisite for any market unique certification as yet , it will be a prudent safety measure to verify that your selected supplier possess the necessary abilities . A knowledge of system design along with an extensive knowledge of the significant specifications and regulations ( which includes building regulations ) not to mention health and safety procedures . Installers must be either an approved electrical contractor or sub contract the electrical work to an approved contractor . They need to be experienced in access control as well as related undertakings such as CCTV , audio and video intercoms and telecommunication interfaces . Typical engineering proficiencies a long with a proficiency in building works are needed and it will go without saying evidence of past automatic gate installations and references from content customers are the most useful evidence that your preferred installers are fit for purpose !
You need to be cautious about any individual merchant who asserts to be an authority in all the aforesaid skills , nevertheless I'm certain such people do exist , it is usually more liable that you would expect a team to conduct the great number of undertakings involved .
