IMPORTANT GATE SAFETY INFORMATION
Gate Safety in the UK market
In June 2010 the tragic deaths of 2 young children in separate incidents less than 1 week apart only served to highlight the safety issues facing the UK gate automation industry. All automatic gate systems by LAW must be installed in compliance with the Machinery Directive MD2006/42/EC and supporting standards as highlighted by recent safety advisories from the Health & Safety Executive. The HSE will be primarily responsible for any investigations carried out on gates where incidents have occurred and can prosecute installers or manufacturers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14495363
All Manufacturers and installers of automatic gate systems should take all necessary steps to meet compliance with the Machinery Directive to ensure their completed products are safe.
To aid manufacturers & installers in meeting the requirements for directive compliance, a harmonised product standard for gates was produced in 2003. The standard BS‐EN13241‐1:2003 provides an umbrella platform for creating a compliant gate product. The umbrella platform refers to supporting standards which contain information and requirements for various aspects of the gates performance & design.
Below is a guide and links to provide installers with a summary of the key requirements of each supporting standard referred to by the product standard,
and show how to apply appropriate solutions to meet each requirement.
http://www.dhfonline.org.uk/downloads/pub193.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/poweredgates.htm
