Main considerations for the design of automatic gates
One of the most important considerations regarding the main considerations for the design of automatic gates is the weight of each gate leaf.
A heavier gate needs a stronger force to open and close it. But this doesn’t just mean the force needed to overcome the inertia of the gate itself.
The gate will be affected by air pressure on its moving face and this can vary greatly depending on the speed of any wind blowing towards a moving gate.
As you increase the force required to move a gate, you are increasing the potential force passed to anything coming into contact with that moving gate.
Gate automation motor choices are also important. Pushing the gate open from as far from the hinge as possible requires less force. Ram motors and articulated arm gate motors push and pull the gate further from the hinge than underground motors. This means that they require less force to move the same gate than an underground motor does.
Articulate arm motors also present a risk due to their design. The articulated arm creates a gap between itself, the gate post or pillar, and the closed gate. As the gate is closed, this gap closes up.
The hinge end of swing gates creates a gap between the gate and the post which must not be big enough for anyone to put their arm or leg through. As the gate opens, the gap between the gate and the mounting can close up.
Sliding gates with open spaces in their design can create risks if they slide open against railings. The leading edge of a sliding gate can also create risks when it slides past posts, pillars, edges of walls, etc.
Any safe automated gate system should include a manual release that disconnects the motors and allows gates to be moved by hand. All users of the gates should be taught how to use the system and where manual release keys are kept.
Risk Assessment
Your gate automation installer should deal with all the potential risks with a thorough safety audit. This looks at each potential risk in conjunction with how the gate will be used.
Your installer should bring the proposed gate design, choice of the gate automation system, and user knowledge together.
They should then apply the Standards and recommendations to design a safe gate automation system for you.
Typically, a thorough risk assessment includes the following:
Step 1: How the gate will be used
Step 2: The potential risks throughout the lifetime of the system
Step 3: How dangerous each potential risk is and what needs to be done to mitigate that risk
This allows the risks to be prioritized and dealt with in the following ways:
a: The risk is eliminated or reduced by the design of the gate automation system.
b: The risk is reduced by the application of safety devices added to the system.
c: Where it is not possible to incorporate a or b, warning signs, and safety instructions are provided clearly for all users of the electric gates
d: Measures for fast and safe release from the hazard are incorporated.
