Door Industry Journal - Summer 2016

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 82 THE door industry journal summer 2016 powered gates Gaps in Safety Hinge Guard Protection When assessing safety for gates, not only are the planned users of the gate to be considered but also passers-by and unanticipated visitors. Children will casually run their hands over gates or railings as they walk past and readily reach into gaps, and it is not uncommon for elderly or disabled people to hold on to posts or rails for support. Although it is not obvious to passers-by, there are a number of potential hazards that may be present on what is, in effect, an automated machine. This responsibility falls firmly with the installer and should be considered when risk assessing any existing or new gate installation. Speaking about gate safety, IN2 Access and Control’s Director, Derek Foreman said: “As with any potential hazard, the most effective way of eliminating these would be to design them out, ensuring gaps are less than 100mm and hinge gaps do not reduce during operation of the gate, so that they no longer present a danger. “When this is not possible, there are several technologies available in today’s market which can reduce and eliminate these hazards, including mechanical guards, pressure sensitive safety edges and optical solutions; all of which have benefits and drawbacks.” Gaps to prevent crushing are referenced as per EN 349, which gives distances between 25mm and 500mm for various parts of the body, but as we cannot predict which body part will be affected; anything that will fit in the wider gap could be at risk. Essentially, any reducing gap below 500mm must be protected. The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) have negotiated with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to describe practical limits for safe (zero gap change) hinge areas as follows: • Maximum post/stile gap of 100mm (BS 6180) • Minimum post/stile gap of 25mm (to prevent finger draw in) • Maximum gap change from open to close of 20% (because minor gap changes would not cause injury) Anything else must be protected. Mechanical Guarding This method tends to be the lower cost solution of the three available technologies. Mechanical guarding physically shields the hinge gap and prevents people from getting hands or fingers trapped in a closing space. This is typically a wide strip of EPDM flexible rubber-like material which is clamped by two pieces of aluminium to the surface of the gate or piers. There is no standard available for these devices; hence there is no referenceable “state of the art” as is the case with fixed rigid guards and safe edges. Anyone considering the use of a flexible guard must consider their use and suitability against the relevant Machinery Directive Essential Health and Safety Requirement 1.4.1: • Must be of robust construction • Must be securely held in place