by Brianna Crandall — September 16, 2016 — The U.K.-based Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and National Security Inspectorate (NSI) recently announced the development of a “ground-breaking” code and certification program designed to ensure the safe design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of powered gates and traffic barriers.
The DHF code and NSI certification mark a significant response to industry concerns over poor safety standards and tragic accidents caused by unsafe powered gates. Since 2005 there have been seven deaths in the U.K. and Ireland, at least eight serious injuries, and “countless near misses” caused by dangerous powered gates, according to the organizations.
DHF code
For the past two and a half years, NSI has been working with the DHF in the development of the new powered gate code of practice, DHF Technical Specification TS 011:2016 – Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Powered Gates and Traffic Barriers.
The new code, upon which the NSI certification program is based, covers installers’ responsibilities for gate design, new installations, risk assessment and commissioning. It also details their responsibilities for the maintenance and modification of existing gates, and covers risk assessment, safe isolation and documentation.
NSI certification
Installers and maintainers of powered gates, barriers and gate automation equipment are now able to obtain NSI approval for the services they provide in this sector as verification of their expertise and professionalism and commitment to gate safety.
NSI Powered Gate approval provides reassurance for buyers and users of powered gates that their contractor is complying with the highest standards of safety and security, says the organization.
DHF reports that just 30% of the 500,000 automated gate installations in service in the U.K. are safe according to the organization’s standards. NSI’s new powered gates certification scheme is designed to reduce the safety risks associated with powered gates to as low as is reasonably practicable, and give confidence to buyers and users in the service providers they choose to use.
Six companies working in the powered gates sector recently volunteered themselves for scrutiny by taking part in a comprehensive pilot audit program guided by the DHF and conducted by NSI. The program tested the efficacy of the new code as fit for purpose, including verifying the competence of NSI auditors, and the practicality of the audit process.
Approved companies will be able to issue NSI/DHF Certificates of Compliance to the owners and operators of installations completed in compliance with the code.
DHF TS 011:2016 – Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Powered Gates and Traffic Barriers, can be downloaded from the DHF Web site.
For more information about NSI’s Powered Gate approval scheme, visit the organization’s Web site.
