Safety and Automatic Gates

Bay Cities Automatic Gates' responsibility is to install every gate in compliance with UL 325 and ASTM F2200 Safety Standards. This section is dedicated to explaining these standards and the obligation of us as installers and you as the customer to comply with the standards.

Introduction
The standard that addresses the automatic operation of garage doors also contains provisions related to the automatic operation of gates. One standard is UL 325, Standard for Door, Drapery, Gate, Louver and Window Operators and Systems. The other standard is ASTM F2200, which affects the manufacture and installation of the gates themselves.

What is UL?
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1894, is self described as “the leading third-party certification organization in the United States and the largest in North America.” UL’s primary stated mission is “to evaluate products in the interest of public safety.” Note that while UL declares it is the “leading” third-party certification organization, it is not the only one. There are other testing laboratories and certification organizations in the United States.

What is a UL Standard?
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. “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, and that more stringent provisions may be adopted by some in the industry. Finally, an “open, non-exclusionary process” indicates that any interested party can participate in the development of a UL standard. In addition, a number of UL standards have undergone a “canvass” (ballot) process in order to obtain recognition as American National Standards. The purpose of this process is to gain a wider acceptance of a specific standard. The canvass process typically includes interested individuals and organizations that may have direct or material interest in a particular standard. UL 325 is one of the standards that has attained the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) designation.

What is the UL 325 Standard?
For products within the scope of the standard, UL 325:

• Contains the basic qualifying factors that products must meet in order to be documented (listed) and marked (labeled) as complying with the requirements of the UL 325 voluntary Listing and Labeling program.
• Provides methods for testing products, primarily related to safety performance.
• Covers installation of products in accordance with the National Electrical Code, which is maintained by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is in force nationwide. UL 325 is to be harmonized with this Code.
• Addresses safety concerning potential fire and electrical hazards, as well as the safety of the general public.

How is UL 325 Used?
UL 325 is used as a basis to test products at a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Gate operators that choose to participate in a listing and labeling program submit their products for testing. If they are found to be in compliance with the UL 325 standard, they are “Listed” and receive a “Mark.”  It is  important to remember two facts:

• There are laboratories other than UL that are capable of listing and labeling products. A “UL label” is not a generic term. People may use “Kleenex” or “Band-Aids” as generic terms, but the UL label must not be used that way.
• Products are not approved by UL or other laboratories. Approval implies acceptance of responsibility for compliance with standards. This responsibility lies with the listing and labeling applicant and not with the laboratory. The burden of proof regarding data always lies with the manufacturer.

What is ASTM F2200?
Several industry bodies came together after the UL 325 was published and developed a complimentary group of standards which specify standards for the building and installing of gates themselves. These are codified in ASTM F2200.

Important Dates
The first edition of UL 325 was released in 1973. March 1, 2000 was the effective deadline for compliance. Continual compliance is a requirement of maintaining a listing and labeling program. ASTM F2200 became effective on July 1, 2001.

Overview of UL 325 and ASTM F2200
Highlights of UL 325 include the following:

• A glossary which defines each type of operator
• Different “classes” of gate operators
• Entrapment* protection criteria for each “class” of operator
• Entrapment* alarm criteria
• Requirements for gate construction and installation
• Instructional requirements placing increased responsibility on installers

*In the document, “entrapment” is defined as “the condition when an object is caught or held in a position that increases the risk of injury.”

A key part of the UL 325 standard is a table that summarizes the entrapment device options for different classes of operators of the various types of gates included in the standard. The table labeled “Table 30A.1” is reproduced here from the 4th edition of the Standard for Safety for Door, Drapery, Gate, Louver, and Window Operators and Systems, UL 325. It is reprinted with the permission of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.  Refer to the table as you read about the provisions that are described in the following sections.

Who Is Responsible for Compliance?
Responsibility for UL safety standards passes from the manufacturer to the dealer, to the installer, then to the property owner for continued compliance.

Gate Definition and Types
UL 325 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 UL 325 are barrier, vertical pivot gate, horizontal slide gate, swing gate and vertical slide gate. It is important to note that all gates included in UL 325 are defined as vehicular gates and NOT PEDESTRIAN GATES. Property owners are expected to provide a separate entrance for pedestrian access.

Gate Operator Classifications
Four distinct types of classifications have been established:

• 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.
• Class III: Industrial usage where limited access is expected; one 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 circuitry.

The classes are defined by the entrapment protection requirements included in UL 325.  These requirements are: 1) each class must have primary and secondary entrapment provisions; 2) each class must have different types of protection for the different classes of operators as well as for the different categories of operators; and 3) the same type of device cannot be used for both primary and secondary protection.

An exception to compliance with the provisions of Table 30A.1 has also been noted in the standard.  An operator considered exempt would require all of the following: 1) operates a vehicular barrier (arm) that is not intended to move toward a rigid object closer than 2 feet; 2) does not have a pinch point between moving parts by virtue of the operator’s design or complying installation; and 3) is not required to be provided with means to protect against entrapment.

Provisions of Note Regarding Gate Operators
Below are nine notable provisions included in UL 325 that affect gate operators and related safety devices.

• Class I and II operators must have an audio alarm which shall function if two sequential activations of the entrapment protection device occur.  The “two sequential activations” is noteworthy in that it is hoped that “nuisance” alarms will be kept to a minimum while still enhancing safe operation.
• Class I and II slide gate operators shall not exceed a speed of one foot per second. Since both classes include general public usage, the maximum established speed strikes a balance between any perceived security issue (a person immediately following the party controlling the gate) and any danger from a person being struck by a gate.
• A Type B1 or B2 device serving as a Primary Safety Device shall be monitored for the presence of and correct operation of the device including the wiring to it, at least once during each open and close cycle. This requirement is included because these types of safety devices are often used as backup safety devices.
• Manufacturers will be required to specify a brand and model number of external sensors compatible for connection to an operator.  This provision arose from concern over the gate operator external devices acting in tandem as a system, with a fault rate of 6 failures in 1 million hours of use (which equates to 115 years of continuous operation).
• After sensing an obstruction, reversing must begin within 2 seconds.  This requirement is intended to keep a person from being entrapped in a stationary position by the gate system.  After the first contact the gate must reverse and travel a minimum of 2 inches.  If there is a second contact, the gate must stop, and requires a wired device to reset the operator.
• After any obstruction reversal by either an A or B2 device, the timer-to-close is disabled until reset.  Both A and B2 devices sense direct gate contact with an obstruction, and the devices must perform their intended function without interference from a timer-to-close action.
• Stop the gate upon sensing a second sequential obstruction, and then not operate until an intended hard wired input is received. A person within the line of sight of the gate must see what has caused the second sequential obstruction and must resolve this obstruction before operating the gate.
• If a Type C (clutch) device is chosen, swing gates must not exert more than 40 pounds of force after initial start-up.  The reasoning here is similar to the reasoning given for the speed limitation for horizontal slide gates.

Factors Related to Gate Construction and Installation

• Vehicular gate operators should ONLY be used on vehicular gates and never pedestrian gates. 
• Adequate clearance should be provided between a swinging gate and adjacent structures to reduce risk of entrapment.
• A sliding gate should work smoothly with easy rolling/movement in both directions, prior to the installation of the operator.
• Controls should be as far away from the gate as possible to prevent “reach-through” occurrences.  A minimum of 6’ is recommended.
• Warning signs must be permanently affixed to the gate panel. Warning signs should be posted on each side of the gate. All warning signs and placards must be installed where visible in the area of the gate. (It is suggested that the installing dealer take a dated photo of the gate system with the signs in place to prove that he furnished them.)
• Gates are to be provided with auxiliary supports to prevent a gate from falling over more than 45 degrees from its vertical plane.
• There should be no protrusion greater than one-half inch on the bottom vertical edge of the gate. No protrusion may have sharp edges regardless of length.
• Allowable protrusions are top pickets and top decorative designs; gate locks, wheels and positive stops on horizontal slide gates; bottom retainers in Class IV horizontal slide gates; and positive stops at the top of vertical lift gates.
• Barbed wire cannot be installed at a height lower than six feet, and barbed tape cannot be installed a height lower than eight feet for a gate panel intended to be automated.
• Automated gates need to have all gate latches disabled.
• The gate must be balanced so that it does not open or close on its own when disconnected from the operator.

Vehicular Horizontal Slide Gates

• All rollers should be covered or guarded unless they are eight or more feet above ground level.
• Openings shall be designed, guarded or screened to prevent a 2??-inch sphere from passing through the gate from its bottom to four feet above ground level.
• Openings higher than four feet but less than six feet must be designed, guarded or screened to prevent a four-inch sphere from passing through the gate.
• No gap between the gate and a stationary object exceeding 2?? inches unless that stationary object is greater than 16 inches from the gate frame.
• Positive stops are required to limit travel to designed fully opened and closed positions.
• Gates must be designed with sufficient stability to assure the gate properly enters receiver guide.
• Single panel receiver guides must be recessed behind the leading edge of the receiver post or a fixed object, unless the guides are eight or more feet above ground level.
• Receiver guides installed on either panel of a bi-parting slide gate must have a leading edge with a minimum projected area of nine square inches.
• Special provisions for Class IV gates do not require guarded rollers less than eight feet above ground level nor do they require positive stops to limit travel to the fully opened and closed positions.

Vehicular Horizontal Swing Gates

• Gates must be installed in a manner that does not create an entrapment area.
• The gate must be hinged so that it cannot create an area in excess of four inches between the gate and the hinge pivot point.
• The gate may not come within 16 inches of a stationary object while in the fully opened position.
• Gates not in compliance with ASTM F2200 standards must be in compliance with UL 325, which may require the installation of additional safety devices.
• Class IV gate installations can be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with site specific security provisions.

Vehicular Overhead Pivot (Tilt-Up) Gates

• All rollers should be covered or guarded unless they are eight or more feet above ground level.
• All openings in the gate must be designed to prevent a four-inch sphere from passing through the gate.
• There can be no gap exceeding 2 ?? inches between a fixed stationary object and the gate frame.
• Framing members must be smooth.
• Positive stops are required to limit travel of the gate to the fully opened and closed positions.
• The jamb and track counterbalance system must support the weight of the gate in any position.
• Class IV gate installations can be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with site specific security provisions.

Device-Specific Installation Instructions
There are also specific installation requirements for certain types of entrapment protection devices. These specific requirements emphasize the care and attention that each device must be given prior to and during installation.

For gate operators utilizing non-contact sensor devices (Type B1), instructions should be consulted for placement for each application, care should be exercised to reduce the risk of nuisance tripping, and one or more of these devices must be installed where the risk of entrapment or obstruction exists.

For gate operators utilizing contact sensor (sensing edge) devices (Type B2), several requirements are spelled out in UL 325. One or more contact sensors shall be located: 

• At the leading edge, the trailing edge, and also post-mounted both inside and outside of, a vehicular horizontal slide gate;
• At the bottom edge of a vehicular vertical slide gate; and
• At the entrapment point of a vehicular vertical pivot gate. 

A wired contact sensor shall be located, and its wiring arranged, so that communication between sensor and gate operator is not subjected to mechanical damage. A wireless contact sensor shall be located where the transmission of the signals is not obstructed or impeded by building structures, natural landscaping or similar obstructions, and shall function under the intended end use conditions.

For gate operators utilizing a continuous pressure activating device (Type D), controls must be placed so that user has full view of the gate area when the gate is moving. A placard must be placed adjacent to the controls and no other activation device shall be connected. Most importantly, an automatic closing device shall not be employed.
 
Statements in Manufacturer’s Instructions Concerning Installation
Gate and fence dealers can expect to see in gate operator instructions the following statements:

• The operator must be appropriate for the construction of the gate and the usage class of the gate. The appropriate primary and secondary safety devices to be used are a major consideration to support this requirement.
• All openings of a horizontal slide gate, and the portion of the fence where the slide gate passes, must be guarded or screened. These specific requirements in UL 325 that govern this provision were developed to address “reach-through” occurrences. For example, slide gates must have a protective cover 48 inches in height extending from the bottom of the gate/fence panel.
• All exposed entrapment points must be eliminated or guarded.  It is up to individual gate and fence dealers to identify these points on a product-by-product basis, or on a job-by-job basis.
• Guarding must be supplied for exposed rollers. Exposed rollers are regarded as potential pinch points.

Are Systems Installed Before 2001 Grandfathered?
Automated gate systems are grandfathered if they were installed before March 2001.  However, if the gates have been modified or significantly repaired and/or the gate operator has been repaired it  should be brought into compliance with the UL 325 and ASTM F2200 standards or replaced.

Where Do I Get My Questions Answered?
Please contact Bay Cities Automatic Gates with any questions at (650) 595-4283 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively, please feel free to contact DASMA (the trade organization overseeing these standards) by phone at (216) 241-7333 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .