Legal requirements for gate automation installations

[Guest]

Hi I am fancying some automation for my existing gates. I have heard all sorts of stuff about maintenance this and machines directive that.

Are there any legal requirements for my gate operators? Can I legally fit them myself? Do they legally have to have photocells, beacons etc???

Thanks in advance

Tim.

[lukeelms]

Hi I am fancying some automation for my existing gates. I have heard all sorts of stuff about maintenance this and machines directive that.

Are there any legal requirements for my gate operators? Can I legally fit them myself? Do they legally have to have photocells, beacons etc???

Thanks in advance

Tim.

[lukeelms]

As the installation will come under Part P of the building Regulations you will have to notify the local council or get some one who is able to to certificate the work done so; No you cannot fit them yourself unless you are a registered electrician.

[easygates]

The 240V supply like all electrical additions have to be part P certified. If you already have power supplied to the gate then from that point there is no law to whom does the install.
Machinery directive and EN13241-1 are the regulations concerning gates. Whoever installs the gate is the one responsible for the conformity. The major points are the maxmium amount of force at certain test points. Example - a maxium of 400N of force can be applied in the last 50cm of travel of a gate, during the mid travel of a gate the amount is 1400N.
Most gate kits can be fitted so that these limits are not reached and so cover that part or EN13241-1.
Please also be aware that many gate installers have never heard of these regualtions so please ask us or get your installer to ask us. We have a new guide to EN 13241-1 available shortley. Please email us for more details.

[sebabastek]

...
Please also be aware that many gate installers have never heard of these regualtions
...

True

[Guest]

O.k. Thanks for the info.

So just to clarify I dont have to legally have any safety or beacons on the gates? Not that I wont, will def have a photoelec beam on the opening side at least, but it's not a requirement as such? Many Thanks.

[easygates]

The gate MUST be safe, this is the legal requirement. The installer of the gate system is ultimately responsible for safety of that gate on the site once it is installed, be it a school, commercial property or residential site all installations should comply to the afore mentioned BS-EN13241-1 standard (when automated since Feb 2008). (more information can be made available to you upon request, please send an e-mail to asosafety@egduk.com).

The use of standard photocells is recommended to provide vehicle detection capability only in to a system but is not a legal requirement to make a gate safe (photocells do not make a gate legally safe). The legal requirement for gate safety is set out in the standards we mentioned earlier, it would take far too long to explain this via the forum. As previously suggested please contact us via telephone or e-mail and we will be happy to talk you through everything.

Many thanks