Gate operators are the devices that open and close a variety of gates. The two most common types of gates are swing and slide. There are two main standards used to test gate operators for safety: UL325 and ASTM F2200. Both are different standards that, when combined, address the need for photoeyes and gate safety edges. It is essential to be up to or above standard with these codes to make sure your installs perform safely and have longevity to prevent life-changing accidents from occurring! Every application is unique and requires a specific number of safeties for each particular project to be up to code. The information below will give you an overview of the standards and why they are extremely important to protect pedestrians from serious injury and protect your business from being liable from accidents.
The UL325 standard is one of the standards used to test gate operators for safety. It includes requirements for guardrails, photoelectric sensors, and other components of a gate operator system. This standard was written by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) based on feedback from its users and other organizations that have been involved with operating gates over time.
ASTM F2200 is another standard for gate operator safety testing. It provides requirements and test methods for the operation of automatic gates and barriers in which electric motors actuate the gate or barrier. This standard covers hand-held remote transmitters, battery-powered portable control units, electric powered stationary control units, power supplies for these devices and other associated equipment used in conjunction with them.
You may have heard about photoeyes and safety edges, and you may be wondering what they do. Photoeyes and edges are a safety feature that helps prevent entrapment. They are also a safety feature that helps prevent pinch points. And, last but not least, these devises are yet another important safety measure that can help prevent harmful protrusions.
If you’re still having trouble picturing it, picture a gate without any kind of protection on its opening end. Now imagine someone getting stuck in this unprotected space as they attempt to walk through the gate—and then imagine them being unable to free themselves because their legs or arms get caught up in some way or another! Unfortunately, this image has happened many times with a varying level of seriousness.
Fortunately for us all, these types of incidents are now relatively rare thanks to modern technology like photoeyes and edges which serve as an added layer of protection.
A gate operator safety system helps prevent injuries from these hazards. While the ASTM F2200 and UL325 standards are not required to be used by all manufacturers, they do serve as a guideline for many. One of the main purposes of these standards is to reduce dangers from pinch points, entrapment areas and harmful protrusions. Pinch points are areas where a person could get trapped between the gate and the gate arm (or similar structures), while entrapment areas are places where people can get trapped between a wall or other structure outside of the gate’s path or between a moving object such as a vehicle or bicycle (and its frame) with an opening that’s too small for them to fit through without being injured by it passing by quickly enough but still slow enough for them not to have time to escape before getting pinched/entrapped between parts of those objects (which would result in serious injury).
When it comes to gate operators, many aren’t aware of the actual danger these operators can cause. There are a number of real-life examples of accidents caused by gate operators that didn’t follow these safety standards. These accidents range in seriousness of the accident, all the way to loss of life! There are reasons these safety standards are put in place and there’s never a situation where they should be disregarded. In fact, these standards are just telling us the minimum requirements. Every project is different, so it’s imperative to closely evaluate all entrapments and pinchpoints for that job.
Overall, it’s important to keep in mind that gate operators are designed to provide safety and security. The standards mentioned above help ensure that they do so while also ensuring they’re easy to use.
Looking to learn more about safety standards for Gate Operators? We’d love to talk to you! Call your local SAS branch today for this and any other questions you may have.
Below are links to the three Gate Operator standards for your convenience:
ASTM F2200 technical data sheet