#Shutter encoder safe full

If you have any doubts, I would thoroughly recommend replacing the edges with monitored resistive types. In these conditions I would carry out more regular and stringent tests on the system to ensure the system is safe to be used. Whether you are dealing with mechanical or resistive edges it is important to remember that temperature, especially freezing conditions can have a massive impact on the sensitivity of the actuation with ice build-up possibly preventing the edge from switching at all.

Inform the owner of the gates of the need to perform tests weekly to ensure that they are still working effectively and advise of the requirement to report any damage. If you do come across gates with mechanical safety edges fitted, please make sure you carry out a comprehensive risk assessment and test the edges thoroughly to make sure that they are in good condition and cover the areas of risk effectively. This is likely to result in, leaving areas such as towards the hinges on swing gates unprotected - the very area on the gate with the most force!

#Shutter encoder safe full

Often these have a large area at each end of the edge which is not active, sometimes up to 100mm, preventing coverage of the full height or length of a gate or barrier. There is also the issue of coverage on mechanical edges.

While we are talking about self-testing, don’t forget that when possible use the test input on the logic board to monitor the photocells to verify that the relays aren’t stuck or welded together. This means that there is potential for the edge to sustain damage and for the system to remain oblivious, consequentially leaving the gate operating in an unprotected and possibly dangerous mode. Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved with a mechanical edge, as the actual edge itself is not electronic. The Standards do say that all electronic safety items should be a minimum of cat2. My main concern with mechanical edges is that they cannot be monitored by the control circuit properly. When the edge is activated the contact strip running through the edge changes the resistance seen by the controller. Resistive edges work by the controller looking for a resistor at the end of the edge.

When the edge is activated the cable or lever will pull the switch open. Mechanical edges work by having either an internal cable or lever running through the rubber profile which is attached to a switch at one end. This normally happens when a member of Gate Safe is taking over an existing site where mechanical edges have previously been installed. I’m often asked if it’s ok to use mechanical safety edges rather than resistive ones.

This includes guidance on the requirements to ensure the overall mechanical strength / stability of the installation.

In addition to using the British Standards to guide the Risk Assessment process, Gate Safe provides further additional general recommendations to encourage a holistic approach to best practice in relation to the installation of gates.

Gate Safe advises that photocells / light curtains and pressure edges should be installed on every gate or barrier and would never support the idea that force limitation is an acceptable form of safety when not relying on safety edges

A fully automatic gate should feature a minimum of two different types of safety device.

The complex British Standards are used as a means to identify the various potential risks posed by an automated gate.

In order to achieve compliance the gate should have undergone a full risk assessment.

Anyone involved in the installation of a powered gate (whether it is a swing or sliding gate, a rising arm barrier, a bi folding or telescopic sliding gate) must ensure it complies with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.