As an access control provider, including systems for automated gates, we are long-standing supporters of the charity, Gate Safe, and its campaigns. We are also a well-established provider of security systems, including access control, to schools.
Gate Safe was originally was set up in 2010 following the tragic deaths of two children crushed by automated gates in separate accidents. The charity aims to prevent further accidents or fatalities occurring as a result of an unsafe electric gate or barrier installation.
The charity launched its Safe School Gates Campaign last October, and is working with a range of organisations, including the National Alliance of School Premises Management, to ensure that schools take the necessary steps to make sure their manual and automated gates are safe.
This follows a survey which indicated that there could be as many as over 24,000 schools with unsafe gates in England. Automated gates, in particular, can pose a risk to pupils, visitors and staff if they are installed incorrectly.
Gate Safe said: “Automated gates offer an effective solution to managing access control on a school site, safely containing the children during standard hours, but also restricting the flow of additional visitor traffic to protect pupils and staff.
“Whilst automated gates – classed as machines – deliver an improved level of security, unless this type of installation is appropriately installed and adequately maintained, the very device intended to protect can in fact inflict considerable harm.”
As part of its campaign the charity has produced guidance for schools which explains that there has been a number of accidents caused by school gates, including one fatality. It is also a legal requirement, under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, for schools to ensure the safety of any automated gates that feature on the site.
The guidance for schools also outlines:
- the questions that should be asked if considering an automated gate
- questions to ask your installer if an automated gate is already in situ
- factors to be taken into consideration in relation to purchasing automated gates and barriers
- maintenance checklist for automated gates
- manual gate guidance
This year the Gate Safe campaign has included holding a roundtable in Westminster hosted by Sojan Joseph MP which included representatives from the Health and Safety Executive; Secured by Design an official police security initiative; the Safety Assessment Federation, the Electrical Contractors’ Association and Zurich Insurance.
The round table emphasised the need for schools to be more aware of their legal duties; to meet the requirement for all manual and automated swing gates to have three hinges to meet British Standards and for there to be a better understanding amongst schools, insurance and inspection industry of the requirements for a safe and legally compliant gate.
Ecl-ips recommends that if schools have automatic gates installed, they ensure that they select an installer that is approved by Gate Safe. This means they will be required to renew annually and they have to undertake Gate Safe’s IOSH approved specialist awareness training every two years.
The approved installers are therefore kept fully up to date with technology and safety developments, as well as the latest best practice and the charity’s gate safety by design initiative. If you need access control advice for your gates please contact us.