Photocells should consist of a receiver and transmitter and all of the time the receiver can “see” the transmitter it will allow the gate to operate. Depending on how they are wired to the control board the photocells will only stop the gate or barrier in the closing cycle of the gate. Typically they would not stop a gate when it is opening but if the beam is broken when the gate is closing the gate would stop and fully open again. Photocells need to fitted at the appropriate heights to enable a signal to be effectively transmitted.

Strictly speaking no, but you should contact the user/owner of the property and advise them verbally and also confirm the conversation in writing. If you are commissioned to review a gate it would be right to isolate the gate prior to commencing any works and not turn it back on if it is unsafe.

If you install a gate that does not comply with the Machinery Directive and is not correctly CE marked in the event of an injury, the HSE would be likely to prosecute the installer/supplier of the machine (ie automated gate).

There is a legal requirement for any gate on commercial properties to be maintained annually. Please note that a house which employs a gardener or secretary is considered a commercial property. Gate Safe recommends maintenance checks every six months as a minimum.

Typically gaps of 100 mm (4”) should be avoided or mitigated against but Gate Safe would always recommend a risk assessment of any gate to ascertain the potential risks / hazards pertinent to each individual installation and add the relevant safety devices to eliminate the risk.

The main area of risk with a rising arm barrier is someone walking under the barrier when the barrier is closing so this is the area that would need to be made safe. This can be done with photocells, safety edges or force testing. Gate Safe’s preferred option is photocells and pressure edges. Additionally there may be further trap points around the motor housing which would need to be mitigated against.

Our reasons are various. The fact that a gate has been force tested does not mean that it will be safe in its operation. Testing does not take into account the wind acting on a gate, which could double, or even treble the forces. Force testing only tests the leading edge of a gate and for a swing gate the forces will be increased as you approach the hinge end of the gate.

Simply putting the CE mark on the equipment without ensuring the gate is safe when in use will not protect an installer from prosecution

The Gate Safe web site’s members area has templates for risk assessments along with some simple diagrams that detail some of the areas of concern. You will need to have undergone the Gate Safe Aware training to access this portal.

The area around the hinge on a swing gate can be made safe in a number of ways. Pressure edges can be applied on the post or the gate to prevent crushing; a gaitor installed between the gate and the posts to prevent the risk of entrapment or a total redesign of the gate can be undertaken to ensure an installation where the gap does not reduce

Automatic gates are covered by the Machinery Directive and should be installed with a CE mark to show compliance with all of the standards to ensure a safe operation

Any installer of automatic gate should have training on two levels. The Gate Safe Aware training would make the installer aware of the risks associated with the installation and use of the automated gates, and he / she would also need specific training on the equipment being installed.

Two pairs of photocells should be fitted along with another different type of safety device.

This can be done electronically, for example if a drive needs unimpeded access by using a time clock. Make sure you use a timer which features 365 days and be aware of calendar month date changes.

This may also require the gate to be latched, using a magnetic lock or locking operator.

Under no circumstances should an engineer work on a gate that will be left in an unsafe condition once he has carried out the work. He should advise the client of the problems verbally and in writing, and urge them to turn off the gate until a safety upgrade has taken place.

There is no simple answer since this would always be site specific. But for most sliding gates it would be six or eight, for swing gates it would be five or seven, but this is totally site dependent