Electricians told to watch out for automatic gates08 February 2019

Electricians who supply power to activate automatic gates become in effect the installer, writes Richard Jackson, founder of charity Gate Safe, in a post on the website of the electrotechnical association Joint Industry Board.

That means that they are legally responsible for a safe and legally-compliant installation in the event of an incident, as they are transforming a structure into a machine.

The charity states that all automated gates should be CE-marked and provided with at least two different types of safeguard against trapping hazards; it recommends using photocells and pressure edges, but adds that installers need to make sure that they understand how their installation will mitigate the risk. It offers half-day safety awareness training courses.

Standard BS7671 must be followed when connecting power to gates, and that work should be installed and inspected by a competent person as defined by Part P of Building Regulations, Jackson says.

Will Dalrymple

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