Media information

September 29, 2015

Now residents and flat management professionals join the fight for automated gate safety

Professional associations representing residents and managers of apartment blocks and housing developments are backing the fight to make automated gates safe.

The Federation of Private Residents' Associations (FPRA) and the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) have pledged their support to Gate Safety Week, the national campaignto confine automated gate accidents to the history books.

Many apartment blocks and residential developments have automated car park gates. Gate Safety Week, being held from October 12 - 18, is actively engaging with residents, tenants associations and residential block management agents to educate them about the dangers of powered gates which have been badly installed or poorly maintained.

The safety campaign is being run by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) Powered Gate Group which comprises Britain's leading manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment.

In recent years, three children and three adults have been killed in powered gate accidents. It is estimated there are more than 500,000 automated gates in service in the UK, yet the industry says just 30 per cent of these are safe to use.

The FPRA is the voice of leaseholders. It is a lease advice, support and lobbying organisation for private residential leaseholders, tenants' and residents' associations, residential management companies and flat management companies.

Bob Smytherman, FPRA chairman, said:

"The FPRA is delighted to add its support to the 2015 Gate Safety Week campaign and fully supports the DHF in their drive to raise public awareness of unsafe powered gates."

Janie Strange, joint CEO of the IPRM, whose aim it is to raise professional standards in residential property management, said:

"The IRPM would like to add its full support to the DHF's Gate Safety Week initiative, in spreading the message for the need for properly installed and maintained powered gates. The campaign is a great way to promote both safety and best practice across the industry."

There is comprehensive guidance for both residents and managing agents on the Gate Safety Week website (www.gatesafetyweek.org.uk). This includes information on safety legislation and a detailed rundown of the safety features to look for on automatic gates.

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Note to editors: The DHF Powered Gate Group is a collective of the UK's premier gate installation companies and the major automation equipment suppliers who work together to provide state of the art technology in safe and reliable installations. The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) represents all the key players in the following sectors: powered gates, industrial/commercial doors, garage doors, metal & timber doorsets and locks & architectural hardware. 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.

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