Automated Gate Safety Testing
Annual safety testing for automated gates
Automated gates are classified as machinery under UK law, and the legal obligation to keep them safe sits with the owner. Force levels need to stay within safe limits. Safety devices can wear or be damaged. Sites change around the gate. Annual safety testing is the way to confirm that your system continues to operate safely.
It also gives you documented evidence that you are meeting that obligation.
We provide safety testing for residential and commercial automated gates across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Mid Wales, as a standalone service or as part of our maintenance packages. After each test, you receive a written report with the force test results, a record of every test carried out, and any recommended remedial work.
What does safety testing involve?
A safety test visit covers a systematic check of every safety-related component of your automated gate system. The key elements are:
- Force testing, which measures the pressure your gate exerts when it meets an obstruction. The results are compared against the limits set out in the relevant safety standards. If the force exceeds safe levels, we adjust the system to bring it back within limits.
- Testing of photocell safety beams to confirm they detect obstructions reliably and trigger the gate to stop or reverse.
- Testing of safety edges (pressure-sensitive strips) on the leading edges of the gates.
- Checking that manual release mechanisms are accessible and functional, so the gates can be opened manually in an emergency or power failure.
- Inspecting the overall condition of the gates, posts, hinges, and mechanical components for wear or damage that could affect safe operation.
- Reviewing the risk assessment against any changes to the site since the last test.
Why does it matter?
The legal obligation is on the owner of the gate to ensure it is maintained in a safe condition. Annual testing provides documented evidence that you are meeting this obligation. It also gives you the peace of mind that your gate system is not going to injure anyone.
We provide a written report after each safety test, including force test results, a record of all tests carried out, and recommendations for any remedial work.
Who needs safety testing?
Anyone with an automated gate. The regulations apply equally to residential and commercial installations. If your gates are automated, they should be tested at least annually. Commercial sites with heavy traffic may benefit from more frequent testing.
