Door Industry Journal - Summer 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 96 THE door industry journal summer 2014 powered gates CAMPAIGNERS WAGE WAR ON UNSAFE AUTOMATED GATES Gate safety campaigners have declared a week of action in October in a bid to dramatically improve the safety of automated gates in the UK. The Door & Hardware Federation Powered Gate Group (PGG) has announced that October 13 - 19 will be Gate Safety Week. But in the months running up to the event, the PGG and its members will be campaigning hard to raise awareness of the risks associated with automated gates. “More than two thirds of all automated gates installed in the UK do not comply with latest legislation and could pose a serious safety risk,” said Neil Sampson, the Group’s chairman. “Even more worrying is the fact that unsafe installations are still being carried out by unqualified installers and gate companies who are quite willing to take dangerous short cuts in both gate manufacture and installation. “We have organised Gate Safety Week to raise awareness of the dangers that powered gates pose, and to advise everyone on how to choose safe gates or make their existing powered gates safe.” Britain’s leading manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment, who make up the PGG, are all planning special events focussing on gate safety. The PGG is also partnering with a number of influential organisations in the safety, enforcement, inspection, education and security sectors who will be lending their support to the campaign in the coming weeks. The climax to the campaign will take place at Fencex, the fencing industry exhibition being held at Stoneleigh Exhibition Park, near Coventry, on Wednesday, October 15. The PGG was set up by the DHF on behalf of the UK gate automation industry with encouragement from the Health & Safety Executive following the tragic deaths of two young children in accidents involving powered gates. It developed the DHF Guide to Powered Gate Safety, which has been endorsed by the HSE, and is followed by all responsible automatic gate installers. In addition the PGG has set up the powered gate safety diploma course which covers all aspects of safe gate installation. Recognised as the most stringent gate safety training course in Europe, it is open to both DHF member and non member installers and gate inspectors. Added Neil Sampson: “With around 70 per cent of existing powered gate installations proving to be non compliant, householders and all those responsible for powered gates must take safety very seriously. We’re confident that Gate Safety Week will play a vital part in significantly raising levels of gate safety.” For more information on the DHF Powered Gate Group and the training courses they run for members and non- members please visit - www.dhfpoweredgategroup.co.uk NO MONKEYING AROUND Bristol Zoo Gardens is home to over 400 different animal species and has recently invested in improving the enclosures for its gorillas and monkeys. One area of expenditure was the drill monkey house – home to brothers Donga and Boki - which is immediately inside the zoo. Among the improvements is a new 24V sliding gate system that allows the keepers to segregate the drills into different areas of the enclosure when required. Drills are one of Africa’s rarest and most threatened primates and this is the first time Bristol Zoo has kept this species since the 1950s. These primates are very intelligent and had learnt the routine of the gate opening. The previous sliding gate had a lever which operated a chain driven roller gate and the drills realised whenever a keeper stood near the lever, the gate was about to move; making it impossible for keepers to activate the gate and segregate them into the different areas. The Electric Gate Company Ltd, based in Cheddar, designed a safe and efficient sliding gate system in the enclosure for the drill monkeys, which could be operated remotely. The new sliding gate system allows the keepers to stand anywhere as the gate is operated by remote controls, making it easier to open and close the gate before the monkeys realise what’s happening. Richard Hooper of The Electric Gate Company said: “The choice of automation was a simple one as the FAAC C720 24V sliding gate operator is not only an extremely reliable choice, it is the only operator available on the market to move at the speed required.” Benn Allen, Estates project coordinator Bristol Zoo, added: “We’re very happy with the flexibility that the new sliding gate gives the keepers; it allows easier movement of the animals throughout the enclosure and improves our day to day management and husbandry of the pair.” For more information on FAAC product visit www.faac.co.uk Read more about Donga and Boki here: www.bristolzoo.org.uk/rare-primates-arrive-at-bristol-zoo-gardens-060812