Physical Security

Automated gate safety week

by Mark Rowe

October 13 to 19 will be Gate Safety Week, says the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) Powered Gate Group (PGG). The trade body adds that in the months leading to the event, the PGG and its members will be campaigning to raise awareness of the risks associated with automated gates.

Andy Holz, the Group’s chairman, said: “More than two thirds of all automated gates installed in the UK do not comply with latest legislation and could pose a serious safety risk. Even more worrying is the fact that unsafe installations are still being carried out by unqualified installers and gate companies who are quite willing to take dangerous short cuts in both gate manufacture and installation.

“We have organised Gate Safety Week to raise awareness of the dangers that powered gates pose, and to advise everyone on how to choose safe gates or make their existing powered gates safe.”

Manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment, who make up the PGG, are planning events. The PGG is also planning to partner with organisations in the safety, enforcement, inspection, education and security sectors.

The week is during Fencex, the fencing industry exhibition at Stoneleigh Exhibition Park, near Coventry, on Wednesday, October 15.

The PGG was set up by the DHF on behalf of the UK gate automation industry after the deaths of two children in accidents involving powered gates. It developed the DHF Guide to Powered Gate Safety, which has been endorsed by the the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The PGG has set up a powered gate safety diploma course which covers gate installation. It is open to both DHF member and non-member installers and gate inspectors.

Andy Holz added: “With around 70 per cent of existing powered gate installations proving to be non compliant, householders and all those responsible for powered gates must take safety very seriously. We’re confident that Gate Safety Week will play a vital part in significantly raising levels of gate safety.”

Visit www.dhfonline.org.uk

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