Installing an automatic gate opener on a vehicle gate requires careful planning. You need to determine the opening size, the gate’s weight, and how often it will be used, since that affects the duty cycle. You also need to consider important safety factors, known as the “crush zone.” Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Gate Crush Zone?
When any gate opens and closes, there’s an area that will be affected by the movement of that gate. For a swing gate, this is the region within the swing arc. For a sliding gate, it includes the space inside the opening as well as the area the gate slides into.
This area is called a crush zone because anyone or anything in this space when the gate is in motion could potentially be crushed. With a manually operated gate, you would stop if someone or something was in the way, but automatic gates may not have that direct human control. Without adequate safety features, an automated gate can continue moving and create a serious hazard.
What Does a Swing Gate Crush Zone Look Like?
Most automatic swing gates only open one way, so the crush zone is essentially any space within that swing arc. If you have a single swing gate, you only need to worry about the arc for that one leaf. However, if you have double swing gates, you will have a crush zone for each leaf.
Swing gates often sit between walls or pillars, and the space between the gate and those solid structures is dangerous for potential crushing.
What Does a Sliding Gate Crush Zone Look Like?
When you install a sliding gate, the crush zone usually includes the opening and the area the gate slides into. Depending on the gate’s overall design, that could be up to 1.5 times the width of the gate opening. If you have a double sliding gate, you will have two separate sliding paths that each have crush zones.
Sliding gates are popular in both residential and commercial settings because they save space in tight Phoenix neighborhoods or other urban areas. It’s essential to account for the travel area of the gate itself when planning for safety.
Gate Safety and Legal Liability
Safety is critical for the well-being of people and property around your gate, but also for legal reasons. If you have a gate or fence that isn’t safe or well-maintained, you could be held liable for injuries, fatalities, and property damage that occur because of it.
Here are a few keyways to protect people, pets, and property:
- Install clearly visible safety signage to warn that the gate is automated.
- Use flush bottom gates without spikes or vertical picket extensions close to the ground. This is a UL325 requirement and helps prevent severe injury if someone falls near the gate while it’s in motion.
- Include safety beams or “photo eyes” that stop or reverse gate movement when the invisible beam is interrupted.
- Consider installing beams at more than one height if both small passenger cars and taller vehicles will use your gate.
- Use safety loops under the driveway so that if there is a vehicle in the loop area, the gate won’t close.
- Look for gate operators with crush detection and auto-reverse or install add-on safety edges if the operator doesn’t have anti-crush technology. These systems sense obstructions and reverse the gate’s motion.
- Restrict access to automated gates whenever possible. Fewer users mean fewer opportunities for accidents.
Consulting knowledgeable, gate automation specialists is the best way to ensure your gate follows local regulations in Arizona and is as safe. Quality workmanship, combined with the right products and safety features, should always take precedence over low-cost solutions.
Western Fence Co. is a Phoenix-based company with a full range of fence and gate services, including gate automation. We can help plan, fabricate, and install a system that meets UL325 and local regulations while reducing risks around your property. If you’re looking for gate installation and automation, learn more about our Phoenix gate installation services.