By Paul Evans
Security Manager
BTT
SECURITY gate regulations were recently amended following tragic crushing incidents involving children.
The new regulations include:
* New legislation that focuses on the crushing risk, reversing function and having the appropriate force technology in place.
* An automated security gate should be tested annually to ensure it complies.
* If a gate doesn’t comply it needs to be made safe or switched off.
Automated security gates are a solid security measure. However, there is some legislation in place that should be followed to ensure you do not risk others.
All automatic gate systems by law must be installed in compliance with the Machinery Directive MD2006/42/EC and supporting standards.
This legislation applies to all automated security gates.
What does the legislation state?
The security gates legislation is very technical but to explain it as plainly as we can; it focuses on the crushing risk. To give you some examples from the legislation, it states:
* There must be a maximum of 400N of crushing force allowed before the gate must start to reverse and that the reverse function must reduce within 750 milliseconds to below 150N.
* The danger area on the gates is when the gap between the gate and an object is 50cm or less.
* It must have the appropriate force technology in force for gates fully up to a height of 2.5 meters on sliding and swing gates.
* There must be an emergency release system that someone on-site is fully trained on.
* After installation, the gates must be tested at test point three times, an average taken of the result, then submit a Pass or Fail
* As part of any ongoing maintenance contracts, a gate should be force tested annually, or when any changes to the safety devices are made.
(There is much more technical specifications, angles and risk areas to consider than just the above. We would be happy to take you through it all, if you’d like to give us a call.)
Why the change in legislation?
The were some high-profile cases all around the same time involving young children who tragically died from getting caught in the gates. This highlighted the safety issues.
If an existing gate does not comply with current safety standards, who is responsible?
Essentially, when the gate was installed, it should have complied with all relevant legislation at that time and the original installer would be required to make good any deficiencies in the specification of the gate as originally supplied compared with the requirements in force at that time. However, extra work to upgrade the gate to today’s standards or to repair worn or damaged parts would still be chargeable to the customer.
Our obligations as an installer
We are required to install gates that comply with the legislation and notify those who own security gates which do not.
For gates that we have installed before this legislation came into effect, we are required to notify the business, give an estimate for the work and if it is safe to do so, switch the gate off.
How do I know if I comply?
The easiest way is to request a risk assessment. Most installers (like us) offer them free of charge.
If you would like a free risk assessment call Paul Evans at BTT on 0330 222 0330.