Door Industry Journal - Summer 2015

10 THE door industry journal summer 2015 industry news Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Powered Gate Professionals Gear Up for Safety Campaign Attention all those professionals involved in the installation, maintenance and inspection of powered gates: in the run up to Gate Safety Week, safety campaigners will be targeting homeowners and parents in their bid to raise public awareness of the risks posed by poorly installed and maintained automatic gates. Gate Safety Week is being held on October 12 - 18 (www.gatesafetyweek.org.uk) and is being organised by the Door & Hardware Federation. In the weeks before the event, campaigners will be promoting this message: anyone with a concern can contact the gate safety helpline 01827 52337 to locate the nearest DHF Powered Gate Group member who can carry out a safety check on their automatic driveway gates. An automatic driveway residential gate has become the aspirational property accessory for so many homeowners. But dangers could lurk at the end of the driveway, safety campaigners will be telling homeowners. There is potential danger if that gate has been poorly installed, not maintained or does not meet current legislation. In addition, parents are being urged to get assurances from the schools where their children attend that any automated gates at the schools have been checked for safety. The first Gate Safety Week campaign took place in October last year. It was in response to industry concern about a number of gate-related fatal accidents, some involving children. In recent years three children and three adults have been killed in gate accidents, says the DHF. It is estimated there are more than 500,000 automated gates in service in the UK, yet it is estimated just 30 per cent of these are safe to use. Said Neil Sampson, chairman of the DHF Powered Gate Group: “Homeowners want the increased security, exclusivity and privacy provided by automatic gates on their driveway - which is why we are seeing more and more gates being installed. In addition, many new apartment blocks have automated car park gates. “But gates are machines not playthings. It is not enough to warn children to keep clear of the gates, parents and householders need the assurance that all powered gates - whether at home, school or anywhere else - are as safe as they possibly can be. “Properly installed and maintained gates that comply with current legislation are perfectly safe to use. As the industry that makes, installs and maintains powered gates, we’re absolutely determined to do everything we can to ensure no more tragic accidents happen.” The DHF is pointing out in its campaign that virtually all powered gates can be brought up to the current safety standards which will help ensure that accidents and injuries cannot occur. Parents and homeowners are being reassured that a DHF Safety Assured engineer can advise on what measures - if any - are needed to ensure safe operation of the gate. The DHF is advising parents to ask their school whether the entrance gate has been maintained and checked for safety. Homeowners who have safety concerns about their residential automated gates should contact the gate safety helpline 01827 52337. If a gate is at a workplace, public building or residential area such as an apartment block then the DHF advises that the owner, building manager or managing agent should ring the safety helpline number for guidance.