UL 325 Safety Standards
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON UL325
Because of the tremendous growth in our industry, it has become necessary to address safety as it applies to Automatic Gate Systems. The United States Consumers Products Safety Commission, working with UL, have established new standards that went into affect in the State of California on March 1st, 2000.
What does this mean to you? Most importantly it means that you will install your new gate system to meet the new industry standard, and that you will have the safest installation possible. It also means the cost of your new system will be slightly higher because of the additional safety components you have engineered into the design.
It is important to remember that you are purchasing a Vehicle Gate not a Pedestrian Gate. This simply means your Vehicle Gate is not to be used by pedestrians; your new installation will need to include a Pedestrian Gate or other means of pedestrian egress in close proximity to the Vehicle Gate. Other important features will be Photo Electric Sensors and Edge Sensors. Photo Electric Sensors will assist in preventing the gate from closing should a pedestrian enter the gate area. Edge Sensor(s) will be installed to protect "entrapment zones" that are defined in the UL325 standard. Should the gate come in contact with a solid object (pedestrian or vehicle) the gate will automatically stop traveling and in some situations reverse the direction of travel.
New UL325 Standards
Guide for Safe Automatic Gate Operation
Because of the tremendous growth in the automatic gate industry and the number of injuries involving automatic gate systems (primarily sliding gates), the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission had mandated that safety standards be developed concerning the installation and operation of automatic gate systems. Underwriter's laboratories (UL) in conjunction with DASMA (The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association International), IDA (The International Door Association), NOMMA (National Ornamental Metal Manufacturers Association), IFA (The International Fence Association), and several gate operator manufacturers, have assembled and created the new standard known as UL325.
The UL325 standard (the same standard that addresses automatic garage doors) now contains provisions related to automatic vehicle gates. In this article we will provide you with background information about the UL325 standard. UL325 went into effect on March 1, 2000.
UL standards are voluntary standards that establish minimum requirements and are developed via an open, non-exclusionary process. "Voluntary" means that the standard has not been initiated through any government or similar regulatory agency mandate, although we expect it will be in the near future. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is currently addressing the matter. "Minimum" means that the industry and those who developed the standard believe that the requirements should be met by all participants affected by the standard. Our attorneys have informed us that we should, "for our own protection, adhere to the UL325 standard and all new installations should be installed to meet or exceed the standard". The attorneys have gone on to say that for our and our client's protection, "all existing systems should be up-graded to meet the standard."
Gate Definition and Types
UL325 defines a gate as "a moving barrier such as a swinging, sliding, raising, lowering, rolling, or the like, barrier that is a stand-alone passage barrier or is that portion of a wall or fence system that controls entrance and/or egress by persons or vehicles and completes the perimeter of a defined area." The main types of gate operators/systems addressed in UL325 are:
It is important to note that all gates included in UL325 are defined as vehicular gates and not pedestrian gates. Property owners are expected to provide a separate entrance for pedestrian access. It is impossible to address all aspects of the UL325 standard in this space but the following are the basics.
Since manufacturers have their own rules to follow, and in order to produce a gate operator with the UL seal, they must follow those rules, we will not address them. Proper installation should be your bigger concern. The following should be carefully adhered to when installing an automatic gate system:
Classifications for the Use of Gate Operators
The classifications that have been established include the following:
Class I: Residential usage, covering one to four single-family dwellings.
Class II: Commercial usage where general public access is expected; a common application would be a public parking lot entrance or gated community, such as apartments.
Class III: Industrial usage where limited access is expected; an example is a warehouse property entrance not intended to serve the general public
Class IV: Restricted access; this includes a prison entrance that is monitored either in person or via closed circuit TV.
How to Comply With UL325 Standards
While we agree with most of the issues that UL325 addresses, how do we cost effectively upgrade existing systems? It may not be feasible to install pedestrian gates adjacent to the vehicle gates or not in the budget to replace the existing operators, but there are several things that can be done.
Entrapment and pinch points are key-words found in the UL325 standard. When asked to survey an existing gate installation, we look for the means of eliminating or protecting the pinch point areas. In most cases this can be done easily by installing edge sensors, also known as safety edges. This can usually be done at a cost from $300.00 to $1,000.00 per gate opening. Another very inexpensive addition would be approved gate warning signs. More expensive, but a very important upgrade is the installation of a screen material so that a 2 1⁄4" sphere cannot pass through. During the many seminars I have attended this past year; training on the proper use of the vehicle gates has always been stressed. Create a handout on the proper use of your vehicle gate system and have each tenant sign that they have been instructed on the proper use. Include annual reminders or updates in your newsletter or send them to each tenant.
Several of the associations mentioned at the beginning of this article have written informational brochures explaining, in laymen's terms, what UL325 means to property owners, and what they must do to bring their gate systems into compliance. They should also be available through any other reputable gate contractor.
Because of the tremendous growth in our industry, it has become necessary to address safety as it applies to Automatic Gate Systems. The United States Consumers Products Safety Commission, working with UL, have established new standards that went into affect in the State of California on March 1st, 2000.
What does this mean to you? Most importantly it means that you will install your new gate system to meet the new industry standard, and that you will have the safest installation possible. It also means the cost of your new system will be slightly higher because of the additional safety components you have engineered into the design.
It is important to remember that you are purchasing a Vehicle Gate not a Pedestrian Gate. This simply means your Vehicle Gate is not to be used by pedestrians; your new installation will need to include a Pedestrian Gate or other means of pedestrian egress in close proximity to the Vehicle Gate. Other important features will be Photo Electric Sensors and Edge Sensors. Photo Electric Sensors will assist in preventing the gate from closing should a pedestrian enter the gate area. Edge Sensor(s) will be installed to protect "entrapment zones" that are defined in the UL325 standard. Should the gate come in contact with a solid object (pedestrian or vehicle) the gate will automatically stop traveling and in some situations reverse the direction of travel.
New UL325 Standards
Guide for Safe Automatic Gate Operation
Because of the tremendous growth in the automatic gate industry and the number of injuries involving automatic gate systems (primarily sliding gates), the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission had mandated that safety standards be developed concerning the installation and operation of automatic gate systems. Underwriter's laboratories (UL) in conjunction with DASMA (The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association International), IDA (The International Door Association), NOMMA (National Ornamental Metal Manufacturers Association), IFA (The International Fence Association), and several gate operator manufacturers, have assembled and created the new standard known as UL325.
The UL325 standard (the same standard that addresses automatic garage doors) now contains provisions related to automatic vehicle gates. In this article we will provide you with background information about the UL325 standard. UL325 went into effect on March 1, 2000.
UL standards are voluntary standards that establish minimum requirements and are developed via an open, non-exclusionary process. "Voluntary" means that the standard has not been initiated through any government or similar regulatory agency mandate, although we expect it will be in the near future. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is currently addressing the matter. "Minimum" means that the industry and those who developed the standard believe that the requirements should be met by all participants affected by the standard. Our attorneys have informed us that we should, "for our own protection, adhere to the UL325 standard and all new installations should be installed to meet or exceed the standard". The attorneys have gone on to say that for our and our client's protection, "all existing systems should be up-graded to meet the standard."
Gate Definition and Types
UL325 defines a gate as "a moving barrier such as a swinging, sliding, raising, lowering, rolling, or the like, barrier that is a stand-alone passage barrier or is that portion of a wall or fence system that controls entrance and/or egress by persons or vehicles and completes the perimeter of a defined area." The main types of gate operators/systems addressed in UL325 are:
- Barrier
- Vertical pivot gate
- Horizontal slide gate
- Swing gate and
- Vertical slide gate
It is important to note that all gates included in UL325 are defined as vehicular gates and not pedestrian gates. Property owners are expected to provide a separate entrance for pedestrian access. It is impossible to address all aspects of the UL325 standard in this space but the following are the basics.
Since manufacturers have their own rules to follow, and in order to produce a gate operator with the UL seal, they must follow those rules, we will not address them. Proper installation should be your bigger concern. The following should be carefully adhered to when installing an automatic gate system:
- Use a gate operator that is of the appropriate type for the construction and class of the gate being installed. Reason: Since gate operators are now classified for specific applications or conditions (see list below) operators of a specific classification can only be used for a specific application.
- Audio alarms must be installed and the gate must stop in position if two sequential activations of an entrapment protection device occur during an open or close cycle. The audio alarm and the gate operator will have to be manually reset after it is determined the gate area is clear of all obstructions. Reason: An audible alarm present will alert passersby's that someone is in danger and may reduce the possibility of further injury.
- All pinch points and exposed rollers should be well guarded with covers. Reason: Rollers on sliding gates create a pinch-point and can cause a major injury should fingers, hands, or feet get caught within.
- All areas of entrapment should be eliminated or protected with approved devices such as photoelectric sensors or Edge Sensors. Reason: A gate when opening or closing, does so with great force. This can cause injury or even death should the gate close on someone, crushing or pinning them against a solid object (walls, posts.)
- All openings of a horizontal slide gate are to be guarded (with screen or other suitable means) from the bottom of the gate to a minimum of 4 feet above the ground. This "guarding' has to be done in a fashion that will not allow the passage of a 2 1⁄4 inch sphere through any portion of the gate within 4 feet of the ground. The area adjacent the gate (fence) must also be constructed in the same manner. Reason: The most common cause of injury, and in some cases death, is caused by someone reaching through the gate to activate a control button or to retrieve an object of some type. Also, moving gates are sometimes an attraction to young children. Gates constructed in accordance with UL 325 are significantly more difficult to stand or ride on.
- Swing gates should not open out into public areas. Reason: The risk of entrapment and injury increases dramatically.
- Pedestrians must be provided with a separate means of access; vehicle gates are for vehicles only. Reason: Pedestrians, walking, riding a bike, etc. through the vehicle gate area are exposed to the possibility of being hit by a vehicle or the gate itself.
- All gate controls (push buttons, etc.) must be far enough from the vehicle gate so that person cannot reach through the gate to activate by depressing a control device. Reason: Many accidents caused by vehicle gates have occurred by persons reaching through to activate a control device. In the instances of injury/death, the user was unable to remove his/her arm from the moving gate prior to being forced against a solid object, typically choking the victim.
- Approved warning signs must be placed on both sides of each gate leaf indicating the potential dangers of the gate system. Reason: To make all users of the potential dangers.
Classifications for the Use of Gate Operators
The classifications that have been established include the following:
Class I: Residential usage, covering one to four single-family dwellings.
Class II: Commercial usage where general public access is expected; a common application would be a public parking lot entrance or gated community, such as apartments.
Class III: Industrial usage where limited access is expected; an example is a warehouse property entrance not intended to serve the general public
Class IV: Restricted access; this includes a prison entrance that is monitored either in person or via closed circuit TV.
How to Comply With UL325 Standards
While we agree with most of the issues that UL325 addresses, how do we cost effectively upgrade existing systems? It may not be feasible to install pedestrian gates adjacent to the vehicle gates or not in the budget to replace the existing operators, but there are several things that can be done.
Entrapment and pinch points are key-words found in the UL325 standard. When asked to survey an existing gate installation, we look for the means of eliminating or protecting the pinch point areas. In most cases this can be done easily by installing edge sensors, also known as safety edges. This can usually be done at a cost from $300.00 to $1,000.00 per gate opening. Another very inexpensive addition would be approved gate warning signs. More expensive, but a very important upgrade is the installation of a screen material so that a 2 1⁄4" sphere cannot pass through. During the many seminars I have attended this past year; training on the proper use of the vehicle gates has always been stressed. Create a handout on the proper use of your vehicle gate system and have each tenant sign that they have been instructed on the proper use. Include annual reminders or updates in your newsletter or send them to each tenant.
Several of the associations mentioned at the beginning of this article have written informational brochures explaining, in laymen's terms, what UL325 means to property owners, and what they must do to bring their gate systems into compliance. They should also be available through any other reputable gate contractor.
