Gate Safe register hits 1000

 
Nearly seven years since Gate Safe became the first organisation to initiate a campaign for improved standards in automated gate safety, the charity marked another important milestone, as it celebrated hitting 1,000 installers on its acclaimed national register of Gate Safe Aware Installers - which currently features 459 companies.

The training session at Trade Skills 4 U – the UK’s no 1 provider of electrical training which regularly hosts Gate Safe Aware training – was attended by 17 delegates, including 4 from Acctive Systems, signifying 1,000 trained Gate Safe Aware installers in the UK.

In recognition of this important anniversary, Acctive Systems was provided with a year’s supply of Gate Safe MOT stickers, Gate Safe Aware van stickers and high-vis Gate Safe Aware Installer vests.

Richard Jackson, founder of Gate Safe commented, “When we first launched our IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety & Health) accredited training programme, our intention was always to establish a national register of installers who had undergone the necessary training to enable them to understand the requirements to deliver a safe and compliant automated gate. The training has been especially developed with the installer in mind, the course is easy to understand and not over-complicated by technical jargon; it has a strong practical emphasis and does not put too much pressure on the smaller company, both in terms of financial outlay and time spent out of the business.

With such a broad (and consistently growing) spread of installers across the UK, the Gate Safe brand continues to grow both in terms of stature (Gate Safe has been commended by the HSE, is officially supported by 12 credible opinion former bodies and is the leading authority on automated gate safety) and reach.”

Gate options - Which style will work with your driveway

The position and angle of your driveway will paly a large part in your choice of gates, whether you will need sliding gates or swing opening gates. A driveway that is on an incline towards your house would restrict the operation of electric swing gates opening inwards, therefore sliding gates may be a more suitable option. In some cases it is possible to install rising hinges with a swing gate and if the gate is heavy or the slope is steep then a counter balance could be installed.

If you are after a greater level of security then sliding gates may be your prefered option – swing gates can be forced open with enough pressure. The benefits of sliding gates is they require less space to operate and provide full driveway access even when approaching from an angle.

Electric Sliding Gates

Electric Swing Gates

Choosing the right automatic gate installer

There are a large number of companies providing automatic gate installation, so choosing the best company for the job can seem daunting. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision.

Make sure the installer is recognised and approved by industry trade bodies,  they will ensure safety and quality are up to standard. These include CAME, BFT, GATE SAFE and DHF. These organisations are there to ensure that installers deliver quality work that meets all safety regulations. Approvals will be displayed on company websites but if in doubt ask the installer.

To comply with health and safety legislation, all automatic gates MUST be installed with safety edges to ensure that they release quickly in an emergency.

Electric gates should ONLY be installed by qualified engineers.

Check customer feedback. What are customers saying about the quality of the installers work - did they complete the project on time? Did the quality of work meet their expectations?

Can the installer provide on-going maintenance of your electric gates? Poorly maintained gates do not just become unreliable but they can also become unsafe to use.

Follow these guidelines and choosing the right installer for your electric gates will be a little easier and give you peace of mind.

Why install security shutters?

Security shutters are a serious deterrent to thieves. This can be all you need to help prevent break-ins to your premises as the heavy-duty design makes it impossible to gain access. For this reason, many insurance companies will insist on the installation of security shutters.

Roller shutters consist of a series of interconnected slats that are usually made out of galvanised steel, plastic or aluminium. When rolled up they coil tightly into a discrete box that blends with the external appearance of the building. When rolled down the slats travel through tracks on either side and once fully extended they fit tight against the floor.

Gate Safety Week 2017

What is ‘Gate Safety Week’?

Gate Safety Week is a dhf (Door and Hardware Federation) initiative; launched with the dhf’s Automated Gate Group to create awareness around the installation and maintenance of automated gates, drawing attention to specific issues such as poor installation and maintenance.

Launched in 2014 and now in its fourth year, the campaign’s objective is to educate and inform professional installers, industry contacts and the general public on the dangers of poorly installed and maintained automated gates, in addition to how to report an unsafe gate and what to look for.

Key messages of our campaign:

- Our message for 2017 is very clear: ‘Safe Gates Save Lives!’ Help us by spreading the word on your website and social media platforms.

In addition, we want:

To encourage a user/owner to ask a specialist to check the operation and condition of their automated gates and report those that aren’t satisfactory.
To provide a neutral platform for organisations with common interests in the automated gates industry.
To engage and educate specifiers, merchants, installers, inspectors, surveyors and users in the correct specification, supply, installation and operation of automated gates.
To ensure that installers and maintenance companies are aware that the safety of automated gates is required by law.
To highlight the liability and responsibilities that apply to automated gate installers.
To raise the importance of CE marking and what the dhf’s coveted ‘Safety Assured Mark’ means.

For further information about Gate Safety Week, or to lend support please visit our website.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/doorandhardwarefederation/ TW: @gatesafetyweek

Home Security

Securing your property is perhaps the most common reason for installing automatic gates, whether it’s a residential or commercial property. Automatic gates are an excellent deterrent to unwelcome visitors to your property while offering you peace of mind. A quality solid gate could help prevent prying eyes looking for easy access and help secure your home. An additional video or audio intercom entry system on your automatic driveway gate will give you complete control over who has access to your property from the safety of your home.

Why install automatic gates?

One of the questions we get asked the most is - Why install electric gates?
If you don't have a gate installed - your property is easily accessed by unwanted visitors, whether its sales calls, un-invited neighbours or burglars looking for an easy steel. So, a quality gate will help deter those unwanted visitors. But lots of us have gates but we just don't use them - let’s face it jumping in and out of the car to open and close the gate isn't fun - especially when it's pouring with rain. So, what do we do? we leave the gate open - it’s just easier. This is where automatic gates come in. Always shut when not in use, so deterring unwanted visitors, and easy to operate on those days you just don't wish to leave the warmth of your car. With the ever-changing technology, gone are the days where remote access was often still challenging work - perhaps you had to punch in a number on a keypad to gain access or you needed to be just a few inches away from the gate. Now it’s possible to control your gates from a mobile phone as well as providing additional access to expected callers. So, your next question might be - what about the additional cost of installing an electric gate? New gates may mean new pillars - new pillars may mean new fencing and new fencing may mean a new driveway. But with added security, peace of mind as well as improving the entrance to your driveway, it may be worth the investment. If you are thinking of installing automatic gates then one thing we always recommend is to get them installed by professionals.