Electricians who supply power to activate automatic gates become in effect the installer, writes Richard Jackson, founder of charity Gate Safe, in a post on the website of the electrotechnical association Joint Industry Board.
That means that they are legally responsible for a safe and legally-compliant installation in the event of an incident, as they are transforming a structure into a machine.
The charity states that all automated gates should be CE-marked and provided with at least two different types of safeguard against trapping hazards; it recommends using photocells and pressure edges, but adds that installers need to make sure that they understand how their installation will mitigate the risk. It offers half-day safety awareness training courses.
Standard BS7671 must be followed when connecting power to gates, and that work should be installed and inspected by a competent person as defined by Part P of Building Regulations, Jackson says.
