Automatic Gates Fife

Ironcraft Steel Fabrications design, install and service automatic gates to meet the individual needs of our clients acoss the Fife area.

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Installing automatic gates at Fife properties - the safety considerations

Some years ago, there were tragic accidents that involved people - and children - being caught in automatic or electric gates at both domestic and commercial properties. Automatic gates are installed in many cases, as an additional safety measure, making these accidents all the more tragic, in that the very thing designed to protect someone, ended up hurting or killing them.

These accidents raise many concerns, many of which are still being discussed today. They highlighted the need for these kinds of gates to be installed and designed correctly, as well as maintained to a high standard. These incidents also brought about changes in safety factors relating to electric gates and so, if you are considering automatic gates for any Fife property – domestic or commercial - you simply must be up to date with legislation and regulation governing their installation and use.

In 2010, the Health & Safety Executive made a serious of recommendations concerning electric and automatic gates of all kinds, regardless of how they were powered (some gates are powered from mains electricity, other from solar energy etc.)

There are many recommendations, all of which you need to be aware of; below is a brief summary but in all cases, if you are looking to install automatic gates at Fife properties and others, seeking further, up to date and relevant advice is crucial - YOU are responsible for the safe operation of these kinds gates, with ignorance being no defence.

Design, construction, installation and commissioning of electrically powered gates must be, where reasonably possible, operate in such a way that...

Any zone where people, children, pets, animals or objects could be crushed, trapped or injured are identified - this does not relate to just you, your family or employees in a commercial setting, but members of the public too
The gates need to operate in a way that means anyone unfamiliar with the process of opening and closing the gates are made aware that there are risks involved if not used correctly
Professionally and DIY installed automatic gates must be risk assessed - in other words, time is taken to consider what the hazards are, how people could be hurt and how these hazards can be minimised.
Any changes or additions to the system will also need to be risk assessed
Automatic gates at Fife properties need to be maintained to keep them safe and, wherever possible, be brought up to current standards; if they do not meet safe operating standards, it is advised to not use the gates in their automatic capacity

When you read this...

... it can seem too daunting, too big a responsibility to have automatic gates at Fife properties, domestic or commercial! However, there is no need to worry about these regulations IF you use a professional gate company; with Ironcraft, your automatic gates will surpass all safety regulations! Call us to find out more…

Please contact us to discuss your automatic gates requirements in the Fife area.

Electric Gates Fife