Any remote control electric entrance gate in the UK must comply with the Supply of Machinery Regulations which bring the European Machinery Directive into UK law.

A ‘safe’ electric gate is defined as conforming to or exceeding the requirements of BS EN 12453:2001. This standard requires that:

Automatic electric gates must be protected using touch sensitive control either by rubber safety edges or intelligent drive units that in both cases cause the gates to retract when encountering any obstacle.. Force meters are also used to check the level of force required for these systems to engage.

There should be a light beam detection system also included to act as a back up measure and non contact detection of obstacles in the gates path. These light beams should never be the sole safety detection measure unless multiple light beams are used to cover all access to the moving gate in operation.

All areas of the gate where potential shearing or crushing may occur must be covered with a safety detection system within parameters. A good example for a crushing hazard is a hinged gate with a small gap between the gate and the support post which can be an area for fingers to get trapped..

What are the safety requirements for electric entrance gates?

The level of safety and number of safety detection systems used in any electric gate system will depend on the individual gate mechanism, gate style and site conditions too. Electric gate safety is mandatory in the UK by law and not an option or something to skip to save money when installing.

The level of safety and number of safety detection systems used in any electric gate system will depend on the individual gate mechanism, gate style and site conditions too. Electric gate safety is mandatory in the UK by law and not an option or something to skip to save money when installing..

The key points to assess in the design stages include:

Entrapment Areas and Gaps Around or in the Gate.

Hinged gates can have entrapment areas on the hinge side of the gate where fingers could be crushed when closing or the gate could open onto a wall and be a danger area too. The sliding gate system can have open areas in the gate design where arms or other body parts could get trapped during operation. These all need identifying and where possible designing out to make them as safe as possible.

Shearing and Crushing Points.

Gates meeting gate posts or sliding gates opening onto a closed area or fence. Anywhere where there is a potential for body parts to be crushed need identifying and suitable safety devices added to protect.

Forces Exerted by the Gates..

The larger the gate the more force is required to move the gate and then the more danger there potentially is. Proper testing for force limits and proper safety to prevent injury is essential on larger gates and particularly commercial gates..

Safety devices for electric gates include infra red beams across the opening, leading edge pressure sensors, underground induction loops, motion and presence sensors and radar detection systems. Most systems are best as non contact safety detection.

Any remote control or smart controlled electric gate system must have appropriate safety sensors as standard and it is mandatory by UK law. 

For More Information Download the "Advice For Domestic Owners of Automated Gates" from our brochure page here.