Safety requirements for telescopic gate white paper

Procter Automatic Gates’ new White Paper ‘Safety requirements for powered telescopic gates’ has been written for architects, specifiers and users.

Procter Contracts has published a new White Paper, ‘Safety requirements for powered telescopic gates’. This complements the company’s existing White Paper addressing safety requirements for powered sliding gates. The new White Paper contains a wealth of useful information and guidance and is written in plain English for architects, specifiers and users who need to be aware of the safety issues relating to powered and automatic telescopic gates.

Powered telescopic gates are powerful machines that, if inadequately safeguarded, have the potential to cause injury or even fatalities – as has been the case in some recent tragic accidents. Powered gates must, therefore, be CE marked in accordance with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Procter’s latest White Paper explains the regulatory background and lists the most important British and European standards for telescopic gates covering design, testing, installation and use. In addition, there is information about the three Safety Notices published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), links to gate safety pages on the HSE website, and reference is made to the guide from the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).

As well as illustrating the hazards associated with powered telescopic gates, and giving examples of the measures that can be taken to eliminate or reduce these to an acceptable level, the guide to telescopic gate safety also explains the concept of fail-safe controls and emphasises the need to undertake a risk assessment and keep documentary evidence. Telescopic gates are closely related to sliding gates, but there are significant differences that must be addressed in the risk assessment; these are discussed in the White Paper.

Powered telescopic gates are normally CE marked after they have been installed, hence the White Paper provides guidance on what architects and specifiers should consider in relation to installation and supplier selection. It also covers maintenance, because periodic servicing is necessary to ensure the safety features are functioning correctly and the mechanical and electrical equipment will continue to give good service.

‘Safety requirements for telescopic sliding gates’ contains a wealth of useful guidance for architects, specifiers and users. This new White Paper is available free of charge on request or it can be downloaded from the Specifiers Guides section of the Procter Contracts website. Alternatively, contact the company for more information about powered telescopic gates – as well as powered sliding, swing and bi-folding gates including photographs, case studies, drawings and a video, can be found on the website. To discuss particular requirements for telescopic gates or, indeed, other types of powered gate, use the Live Chat facility on the website, telephone us or email [email protected].