2. Do their contractor's license, and liability and worker's compensation insurance cover work on live (energized) electrical equipment?
Many fence, home audio, alarm, landscape lighting, structured cabling and even siding companies sometimes install automatic gate operators. OSHA and NFPA regulations clearly state although a person or company may be licensed for a particular task that does not authorize or license them for another task.
Some contractors may say they are qualified because they only service the "low-voltage" portion of the gate operator, which is not consistent with the classification and directive of OSHA and NFPA (i.e.: the highest voltage existing in any electrical device, apparatus, appliance, etc. shall be the listed UL voltage for that device. If a gate operator requires a 120-volt service, it shall be considered a 120-volt device. If a gate operator requires a 240-volt service, it shall be considered a 240-volt device.
3. Are they trained, qualified, licensed, and insured to perform a lock-out / tag-out procedure?
(Required by NFPA 70E, OSHA, National, State, and some Local electrical codes.)
Purpose: To place equipment in safe-mode for required services and repair.
4. Are they trained, qualified, licensed, and insured to perform service and troubleshoot work on live (energized) electrical equipment?
Intrinsic design of gate operators - Some equipment (including gate operators) requires power to all components in order to test and troubleshoot the equipment, and some gate operator equipment has up to 240-Volt, 10-Amp battery back-up power supplies, and require additional specialized knowledge and training to safely install, troubleshoot, and service.
The approach boundary: Per NFPA 70-E, the arc flash boundary of any line-voltage electrical equipment less than 600-volts is 4 feet. OSHA and NFPA clearly state that even an untrained, unqualified electrical worker may not perform any ot the tasks outlined. This directive indicates that simply removing the cover of a gate operator or other electrical equipment would violate the flash boundary and could expose the untrained, unqualified person to electric shock or arc flash hazards.
Apprentice electricians, in their four or five year training program, are forbidden to work on live (energized) electrical equipment without direct on-site supervision by a state-licensed Journeyman or Master electrician. Most insurance carriers forbid any work on energized equipment by apprentice electricians, only licensed Journeyman or Master electricians may service or repair any electrical equipment. Many clients require a special permit to service or repair energized electrical equipment on their property (i.e.: most major corporations with a mandated safety program).
Your contractor should state in writing what their project includes and will meet all current codes and regulations of automatic gated entries. Some examples of questions to ask would be:
1.What does the estimate or proposal package include exactly? Is it itemized?
Example: Package includes all engineering, layout and supervision of the entire gated entry as well as coordination with the general contractor, stone mason, paving contractor, and landscape architect/contractor. Also includes all construction permits, fees, electrical, and fire department inspections as well as any required safey inspection.
2.What is the company's written warranty?
Example: Entire system features a two-year warranty and includes normal maintenance for such items as greasing hinges, maintaining proper hydraulic fluid levels, cleaning of electronic controls (if required) and insect control.
3. Is the company licensed and qualified to perform the tasks in estimate or proposal?
Example: All installation and serivce is performed by Qualified Persons, as defined by NFPA, OSHA Regulations and State Electrical Code Requirements.
4. Does the project meet all current regulations?
Example: The project will meet all current 911 access and fire code requirements, all city, state, and National Electrical Code requirements and all UL-325 safety requirements for automatic gate systems.
In addition to these OSHA and NFPA 70E regulations, there is a whole set of UL Safety Regulations for automatic gates called Article 325. For more information about UL Article 325, please see www.UL325.info
All automatic gated entries must meet state mechanical code requirements. Some states enforce ASTM safety requirements for automatic gates.
Many State and Local Fire Departments have written and implemented additional 911, Life Safety, and other electrical and mechanical codes which regulate the design, installation, operations, service, and maintenance of gated entries for private residences, multi-family subdivisions, apartments and condominiums, and commercial installations. Many cities require a building permit for entry-ways and automatic gates.
Before signing a contract or beginning construction of an automatic gated entry, please contact your local Fire Marshall's office or building inspection division for additional information and requirements.
