Key legal and safety obligations
Owners and managers must make sure that:
- The gate system is safe to use and does not present avoidable hazards
- The installation complies with current safety standards and regulations
- Regular maintenance and inspections are carried out by competent professionals
- Any faults, damage or unsafe behaviour are dealt with promptly
- Risk assessments are completed, and updated when changes occur
- Records of servicing, repairs and modifications are kept
These obligations exist to protect users, visitors and employees, and to reduce liability in the event of an incident.
Relevant British Standards
The following standards give guidance on the safe design, installation and operation of automated gates:
- BS EN 12453 – Safety requirements for powered gates · HSE Bulletin on BS EN 12453
- BS EN 12635 – Installation, operation, and maintenance of powered doors and gates · BS EN 12635 SummaryLink to follow
- BS EN ISO 13849 – Safety-related parts of control systems · BSI ISO 13849 SeriesLink to follow
- BS EN 60204-1 – Electrical equipment of machines · BS EN 60204-1 OverviewLink to follow
These documents set out the expectations for safety devices, force limits, control systems and ongoing maintenance. See the full list of standards →
Risk assessments and duty of care
Owners and managers must make sure a formal risk assessment is carried out for every automated gate. It should identify:
- Crushing, shearing, impact and drawing-in hazards
- Entrapment points
- Vehicle and pedestrian interaction
- Environmental factors (wind, weather, visibility)
- Emergency access requirements
- Safe operation during power loss or system failure
Your duty of care includes
- Making sure the gate remains safe throughout its life
- Using competent installers and maintainers
- Keeping the system compliant when upgrades or changes are made
- Acting quickly if a safety issue is reported
A well-designed control cabinet, like those from Control 101, supports this duty by making the system easier to inspect, maintain and upgrade safely.