Surveys reveal key design flaws negating swing gate safety

Following surveys on 49 gates, Gate Safe is keen to draw attention to the frequently seen design errors which play a part in compromising gate safety, potentially leading to a serious accident (or worse).

Of the swing gates that were reviewed, a shocking 92% featured reducing/unprotected gaps at the gate supports. Just under 80% of the 49 gates reviewed failed to display the adequate number of hinges, while 75% presented photocells which had been incorrectly programmed and, as such, were failing to inhibit the initial opening of the gate.

Other equally worrying design concerns included the application of photocells only to one side of the gate or photocells fitted incorrectly in terms of not being close enough to the gate or the area requiring protection (57% of the gates surveyed exhibited this flaw), no horizontal edges on the outside of the gate (55%) and edges being programmed incorrectly (51%).

Poor design

Commenting on these findings, Gate Safe founder Richard Jackson explained: “What’s particularly alarming about these findings is that they represent only a very small sample of the gate landscape in the UK. If these trends are replicated across the country then, as previously suggested, the majority of gates in use are unsafe as a result of poor design.”

Jackson continued: “Given that these surveys are undertaken on gates where the owners are predisposed to adopting Best Practice and have actively sought out a professional, independent and unbiased assessment of the gate being deployed, the reality of what other less scrupulous property/business owners are accepting as being ‘good enough’ is extremely concerning. Sadly, it’s more than likely that another serious accident is just waiting to happen.”

Launched last year, the Gate Safety by Design Programme features activities intended to attract the interest of the wide range of professionals associated with automated gate installations and maintenance. There’s a dedicated page on the Gate Safe website providing useful information and guidance on specific issues relating to designing gates with safety in mind. Visit https://gate-safe.org/gate-safety-by-design

*Further information is available online at www.gate-safe.org