British and European fencing and access sector bodies have lent their support to a national safety campaign. The Fencing Contractors Association (FCA), Gate Automation and Access Barrier Association (GAABA) and the European Fencing Industry Association (EFIA) have put their weight behind Gate Safety Week, running from October 12 to 18.
The aim; to improve the safety of automated gates in the UK. The campaign is being organised by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) Powered Gate Group which comprises manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment. The DHF says the campaign will active engage with and educate those responsible for automated gates – owners, maintainers, installers and those with management responsibility for powered gates. The campaigners will be encouraging best practice in all aspects of powered gates.
In recent years, three children and three adults have been killed in gate accidents. It is estimated there are more than 500,000 automated gates in service in the UK, yet the industry says just 30 per cent of these are safe to use.
The FCA and GAABA said: “As a pro-active organisation at the forefront of supporting legislation, standards and training across the industry, the FCA and the GAABA are delighted to add our support to the campaign and fully support the DHF in their drive to raise public awareness of unsafe powered gates.”
EFIA’s Bernard J Kilbride said: “EFIA actively promotes safety standards and awareness within the UK fencing and gates sector, and is delighted to support DHF’s Gate Safety Week and its various associated safety and training initiatives.”
Guidance for those responsible for specifying, managing and maintaining automatic gates is on the Gate Safety Week website. This includes information on safety legislation and a detailed rundown of the safety features to look for on an automatic gate.
