Media information

July 12, 2016

Major DHF initiative ensures safe gates save lives

The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has launched and published a new industry code of practice which is designed to reduce the safety risks associated with powered gates and traffic barriers to as low as is reasonably practicable.

The Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Powered Gates and Traffic Barriers(DHF TS 011:2016) is the 11^thin a series of widely respected DHF technical specifications covering the range of industry sectors represented by DHF and is available as a free download fromwww.dhfonline.org.uk/publications-gates-automation.aspx.

The aim of DHF TS 011:2016 is to give installers, maintainers and owners of powered gates and barriers - and all adherents to the code of practice - a framework to ensure a gate is safe and therefore complies with the law. The new code draws on safety legislation, European standards, and industry best practice.

It sets out the legal and technical requirements for all aspects of powered gate and traffic barrier work. It has condensed and refined information from numerous pieces of European and UK criminal law and over 20 European and British standards in order to provide a precise and clear reference for gate and barrier work, negating the complexity and confusion often caused when attempting to apply information from multi-discipline standards and legislation. The code leans heavily on the requirements for competence and training at all levels in the process. Every gate repair, maintenance procedure or installation will need to have been executed or supervised by someone qualified in the DHF Powered Gate Safety Diploma training scheme.

This is to ensure continuity of standards across the entire survey, specification, procurement, fabrication, installation, commissioning and documentation of every powered gate installation, repair or maintenance activity.

It is expected that DHF TS 011:2016 will become the benchmark industry reference document setting the standard for owner and installer stakeholders alike. It will end the current, often confusing, situation within the industry caused by conflicting interpretations of the current standards and many apparent grey areas.

Owner and client stakeholders will be able to demand that gate and barrier works are delivered in accordance with the code. Service providers will be able to assure clients that their work is delivered in accordance with the document so protecting the criminal and civil liabilities of all parties concerned.

The new code is the culmination of efforts to raise safety levels in the industry by the DHF Powered Gate Group, which represents Britain's leading manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates, barriers and gate automation equipment. The group was formed in 2010 following the tragic and unnecessary deaths of two young children in that year.

SaidDHF training officer Nick Perkins: "Tragically, poorly installed and badly maintained gates and barriers have caused 12 deaths and many reported and unreported accidents involving serious injury since 2005. It's estimated that only 30% of the 500,000 automated gates in service in the UK are safe to use. As an industry we find this completely unacceptable. We're absolutely determined to do everything we can to ensure no more tragic accidents happen. This new DHF code of practice, backed up by the comprehensive DHF safety training scheme, will help achieve the industry's ultimate aim of confining powered gate and barrier accidents to the history books."

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The DHF represents all the key players in the following sectors: powered gates, industrial/commercial doors, garage doors, locks & architectural hardware and metal & timber doorsets. With the ultimate aim of maintaining and raising quality standards throughout the industry, all DHF members must meet minimum standards of competence and customer service. They all operate within a Code of Conduct governing standards of workmanship, quality assurance, training, safety, business integrity and CE marking compliance.

Issued on behalf of the DHF by

Ainsworth Public Relations

0161 427 3861

guy@ainsworth-pr.co.uk

Door & Hardware Federation

01827 52337

www.dhfonline.org.uk