Electric gates must comply with strict UK safety regulations. This guide explains the safety devices required by law, what we recommend and why getting it right matters.
Important: An automated gate without the correct safety devices poses a serious risk of injury and may not comply with UK health and safety legislation. All Voltix installations are carried out by professionals who ensure full compliance.
All automated gate installations in the UK must comply with the following standards and directives. These are not optional — non-compliance can result in serious injury, legal liability and invalidated insurance.
The primary standard for power-operated gates in the UK. It specifies the safety requirements for the use and installation of automated gates — including the type and positioning of safety devices, force limits and risk assessments. All automated gate installations must comply with this standard.
The Machinery Directive requires that all automated gate systems are designed and installed to be safe for use. This includes carrying out a full risk assessment, ensuring all safety devices are correctly installed and providing documentation with the completed system.
This standard covers the testing methods used to measure the forces generated by a power-operated gate. It works alongside BS EN 12453 and ensures that gate systems are tested to verify they meet the required safety force limits during operation.
Where an automated gate is used in a workplace or commercial setting, the Health & Safety at Work Act applies. Employers have a duty of care to ensure that all equipment — including automated gates — is safe to use and properly maintained.
The following safety devices are either required by law or strongly recommended for all automated gate installations. Your installer should discuss these with you before any work begins.
Safety beams — also known as photocells — create an invisible infrared detection zone across the gate opening. If a person, vehicle or obstruction breaks the beam during operation, the gate stops or reverses immediately. Separate beams are required for both the opening and closing cycles under BS EN 12453.
Safety edges are pressure-sensitive strips fitted to the leading edge of a gate. When the gate comes into contact with a person, vehicle or obstruction, the safety edge triggers the motor to stop and reverse — providing a critical secondary layer of protection.
An isolation switch allows the gate system to be completely powered down from a single point. This is essential for maintenance, emergency situations and power failures. The switch should be clearly labelled and easily accessible.
All automated gates must be fitted with a manual release mechanism, allowing the gate to be operated by hand in the event of a power failure or system fault — particularly important for gates that are the primary means of vehicular access.
Under BS EN 12453 and BS EN 12445, the force generated by an automated gate must not exceed specified limits. All motors must be configured to limit the impact force to a safe level — tested and verified as part of a compliant installation.
An automated gate that is not correctly installed and fitted with the required safety devices poses serious risks — to people, to vehicles and to the property owner.
Automated gates can generate significant force. Without the correct safety devices, a gate can trap, crush or seriously injure a person — particularly children — who enters the gate's path during operation.
If a person is injured by a non-compliant gate, the property owner can be held legally liable. This can result in significant compensation claims, prosecution under health and safety legislation and invalidated insurance.
Many insurance policies require that automated gates are installed and maintained in compliance with current standards. A non-compliant installation could invalidate your policy in the event of a claim.
Use this checklist to ensure your automated gate installation meets current UK safety requirements.
Photocells create an invisible detection zone — stopping or reversing the gate instantly if a person, vehicle or obstruction is detected during operation
Pressure-sensitive strips to stop the gate on contact with an obstruction
Clearly labelled switch to power down the system completely
Allows the gate to be operated by hand during a power failure
Clearly visible signs on both sides indicating a power-operated gate
Motor configured to comply with BS EN 12453 impact force limits
A documented risk assessment carried out by the installing engineer