There are specific laws that guide the installation and maintenance of automatic gates to prevent them from becoming the cause of accidents.
When it comes to rules and laws, it is important to be precise and aware. “The law does not admit ignorance”, they say, even more so if we talk about safety.
This is why we have decided to collect in this article a guide to the laws and regulations concerning the installation of an automatic gate.
The reference laws for the safety of automatic gates
In this paragraph we give you all the references of the laws and regulations that you need to know and that concern any installation of automatic gate or barrier, regardless of whether it is a private home, a condominium or a company.
Let’s start with the voluntary rules: in fact, there are no sanctions established for those who do not respect these stakes but there are fines (even very high) for those who do not respect the European Directives.
So what then? Compliance with these regulations makes it possible to declare the presumption of conformity with European Directives. This is why these are fundamental rules that we mention immediately.
UNI En 12453 of 2017
The standard reference for the safety in the use of any door, gate or automated barrier is UNI EN 12453 of 2017 which came into force with the aim of specifying the requirements and test methods relating to the safety of use for non-manual opening mechanisms, installed in areas that can be reached by people in both commercial and corporate and residential contexts.
In particular, this set of rules deals with the analysis of the risks associated with the operation of the machine, that is, with the automated opening and closing. This is the basic standard because it sets the installation requirements. The regulation we have just mentioned is essential for starting any installation of an automatic gate.
CEI EN 60335-1 for the automation
his standard summarizes all the risks that an automatic machine such as the one that manages gate openings and closings can generate. In particular, in Article 4, reference is made to the possible dangers associated with the automated operation of the motorized gate, considering both the correct and improper uses.
In particular,
1. dangers of crushing, shearing or conveying
2. risk of impact or collision
3. dangers related to automation
4. dangers of lifting people (closures with vertical movement)
5. dangers of entrapment
6. dangers caused by failures of safety devices
7. dangers of exceeding the door limits
8. dangers that arise during the manual handling of the closure
CEI EN 60204-1 for electrical equipment external to the machines
In the rules UNI En 12453, are taken into consideration external devices that could be associated with the automatic gate. We are talking about: platforms, photocells, barriers, sensitive edges, flashing lights, control stations, wiring, etc.
The regulation relating to the safety of these automation accessories is found in the integrated regulation of the UNI En 12453 standard and which has acquired the code of CEI En 60204-1.
UNI En 12445 and the conformity assessment of the plants
The UNI EN 12445 standard focuses on the test methods to be applied to gates to ensure compliance with the requirements of UNI EN 12453.
The law specifies how the tests must be carried out for correct installation and how to check the conformity of automatic systems.
Machinery directive (responsibility of the manufacturer) and CE marking: the installer is legally liable
At the base of the production process of any machine there is a regulation to which we must respond proactively. This is the so-called “machinery directive” which translates into the obligation of CE marking and other rules concerning production.
The current directive (2006/42 / EC) entered into force on 29 December 2009 and published in the Official Journal no. 41 of 19 February 2010. Currently, the so-called “Machinery Directive” represents the European legislation that covers the largest number of categories of product.
The CE marking obligation present in the Machinery Directive extends to all products and covers all risks associated with their use. Manufacturers must comply with the declinations of the standard of the respective countries.
We are addressing this topic with you because it is essential that you make sure you are dealing with materials, components and products of certified quality, therefore safe and consistent with an installation in accordance with the law. Your job is therefore to make sure that you only work with certified brands such as VDS Automazioni.
The responsibility of the installer is great: from a legal point of view, whoever automates a window or door (ie the installer) actually becomes the manufacturer of the automated machine, also taking responsibility for its suitability.
To be in line with the requirements of the Machinery Directive, you must complete the installation with:
• Risk analysis
• overall design of the automatic gate (door)
• electrical circuit diagram
• instruction manual for the safe use of the automation
• maintenance register
• EC declaration of conformity
At the end of each installation, it is foreseen that the declaration of conformity according to the Ministerial Decree 37/08, the instruction manual and the maintenance register must be delivered to the customer. The remaining documents in the technical file can be kept at the installer’s office, but it is still advisable to hand them over to the customer as well.
The declaration must be filled according to the model provided by the subsequent Decree of 19 May 2010 which slightly modified the previous one (contained in the MC of 2008) and then delivered to the SUAP (Single Desk for Productive Activities) of the Municipality in which the installation works are carried out.
The Municipality communicates the details to the Chamber of Commerce which has the task of carrying out the checks on the installing company.
How should the installer who is called to repair a gate in operation before the entry into force of European standards behave?
• He can carry out the repair without the obligation to adapt the system to the new European standards. It is recommended to suggest to the owner of the gate or to the administrator of the condominium, the adaptation of the system to the recent European regulations.
• If the system does not meet the health and safety requirements laid down by the MD based on the state of the art referred to the date of installation of the gate, the repair can only take place after the system has been adapted to the MD and to the regulations currently in force.
Plant up to standard and zero problems maintenance with certified quality products
The rules to be respected, as you can see, are many and the bureaucracy is increasingly demanding for installers and maintenance technicians. This is why we recommend that you always contact a recognized manufacturer specialized in automation for gates, doors, barriers and windows such as VDS Automazioni.
In addition to providing only certified materials, produced in Italy by a team of specialized technicians and ensuring all the assistance and training you need, VDS offers you actuators, single components or systems complete with all the elements in practical installation kits.
Choose the quality and safety of Italian and certified products.