UL-325 Gate Automation

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Oct. 23, 2000 issued a series of print, radio and television public service announcements alerting the public to the stricter safety standards that are now in place for automated gate systems.

    The CPSC specifically warned the public about the danger posed by older gate systems, which may have no safety devices, or inadequate ones.

    "The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is alerting consumers to a tougher safety standard that should prevent children from becoming entrapped in automatic security gates," said CPSC chair Ann Brown. "These sliding or swinging gates are typically found at the entrances to residences, apartment buildings, condominiums, parking lots and garages and commercial establishments."

    The agency referred to Underwriters Laboratories standard UL325 which went into effect on March 1, 2000. This standard requires all labeled gate operators manufactured after the date the standard went into effect to be equipped with or have provision for at least one independent primary means and one independent secondary means to provide against entrapment. The standard addresses four gate operator classifications: residential, commercial or general public access, industrial or limited access, and restricted access.

    "If your apartment or condominium complex has an older gate, contact a manager or your homeowners’ association and request that it be replaced with a safer automatic gate system that meets the new standard," urged Brown. "It could save a life."

    Although some were skeptical of the figures quoted by CPSC on the number of accidents and deaths caused by automated gate systems, access control manufacturers and dealers generally viewed the public service announcements positively, as an aid in spreading the word about the safety standard. Some dealers have made it a practice to contact the owners of automated gate systems in their market area to offer inspections of existing systems, and suggest safety upgrades.

    A fence and gate industry task force is also working toward having additional safety measures adopted into the voluntary standards published by the American Society for Testing and Materials. These added measures would apply primarily to the gates themselves, and be aimed at preventing pinching and crushing injuries, as well as further steps to prevent entrapment.

       The standard also addresses factors relating to gate construction and installation, especially safeguards to prevent "reach through" accidents with sliding gates. Other safety items are:

    • Vehicular gate operators should only be used on vehicular gates, never on pedestrian gates;

    • Controls should be as far away from the gate as possible to prevent the "reach-through" accidents mentioned previously;

    • All exposed entrapment points must be eliminated or guarded;

    • Guarding must be supplied for exposed rollers;

    • Gate controls must be installed where the user has a full view of the gate operation;

    • Warning signs should be posted on each side of the gate.

        Information on UL325 may be obtained from virtually any manufacturer of gate operators and/or controls, as well as from the Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA). Contact the organization at 216-241-7333, or fax 216-241-0105.