Automated security gates and barriers are a solid security measure.
To ensure you do not risk others, all automatic gate systems by law must be installed in compliance with the Machinery Directive MD2006/42/EC and supporting standards.
The security gates legislation is technical but to explain it plainly; it focuses on the crushing risk.
To give you some examples from the legislation...
* Maximum of 400N of crushing force allowed before the gate must start to reverse.
* That reverse function must reduce within 750 milliseconds to below 150N.
* The danger area between the gate and an object is 50cm or less.
* The gates must be tested at the test point, 3 times, average the results and submit a PASS or FAIL.
* Must have the appropriate force technology for gates up to a height of 2.5meters.
* With ongoing maintenance contracts, a gate should be force tested annually, or when any changes to the safety devices are made.
The were some high-profile cases around the same time involving young children who tragically died from getting caught in the gates, highlighting safety issues.
The original supplier would be required to make good any deficiencies, extra work for today's standards or repair would be chargeable to the customer.
We are required to install gates that comply with the legislation and notify those who own security gates which do not.
For gates that we have installed before this legislation came into effect, we are required to notify the business, give an estimate for the work and if it is safe to do so, switch the gate off.
The easiest way is to request a risk assessment. Most installers (like us) offer them free of charge.