Safety advice regarding your electric gate

Here at Automation & Security in South Shields, we constantly train our staff so that they adhere to the latest in Health & Safety requirements. Current Government Health and Safety Notices state that additional safety protection equipment should be fitted to electrically powered gates, subject to a Site Risk Assessment (see Health and Safety Executive site).
  • Site risk assessment

    In accordance with Government Health and Safety Notices, Automation & Security surveys each gate site to make a Site Risk Assessment and to ensure we design the gates and specify the automation and safety features required appropriately. A Site Risk Assessment takes into account the location of the gate, how often it's used, who uses it and any potential gate hazards (i.e. the proximity of adjacent walls or pillars). 

  • Gate automation safety devices

    The automation features we specify include, wherever necessary, the following safety devices:


    • 24 volt DC BFT Gate Automation Operators with built-in anti-squash electronic facilities to detect obstacles
    • A primary set of safety photocells between the pillars of the gates to detect obstacles breaking a beam between the pillars
    • A secondary set of safety photocells fitted at the limit of a swing gate in order to detect obstacles moving into the swing area
    • Additional safety pressure strips fitted to gates or adjacent walls / pillars to detect obstacles via physical pressure

    If any of the above devices detect an obstacle (such as a child or vehicle), then the gates should automatically reverse to move clear of the obstacle.

  • Guidelines for careful use of automatic gates

    Automated gates are heavy, moving structures and they need to be treated with respect. The following rules must be adhered to in order to prevent accidents during operation:


    • Do not try to pass through the gates when they are moving, wait until the gates are fully open
    • Do not stop unnecessarily between the gates
    • Do not allow children to play near the gates
    • Keep all remote control operating devices out of the reach of children
    • Do not operate the gates by remote control unless the gates are in view
    • Do not attempt to impede the movement of the gates during operation
    • Report any signs of malfunction immediately to Automation & Security
    • In the case of any malfunction, isolate the power supply, release any electric/automatic lock, open the gates manually and call Automation & Security
    • Do not attempt to modify the gates or the gate automation system.
    • Ensure that your gates are serviced at regular intervals

    Please call us if you wish to discuss any safety aspect of our gate installation process - we cover the entirety of the Tyne and Wear region.

    FAQs - Powered Gates

A wrought iron gate is surrounded by white pillars and trees.

SWING GATES
A sliding gate is surrounded by a brick wall and a building.

SLIDING GATES
A gate with a statue of a dog on top of it
A wooden gate with a brick wall behind it
A white background with a few lines on it

If you have any queries regarding the safety of our electric gates, don't hesitate to call. We cover

South Shields, Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Alnwick, Middlesbrough, Darlington
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