HARDWARE & SECURITY
DHF provides guidance on ‘ powered gate hinge safety ’
» TO ASSIST ITS MEMBERS and the wider industry , Tamworth-based trade association , the Door & Hardware Federation ( DHF ), has created a members only publication on this subject entitled , ‘ Powered Gate Hinge Safety ’ - https :// bit . ly / dhfconsumerinfo
As Nick Perkins , Senior Training & Compliance Officer at DHF explains , when gate hinges suffer a failure , heavy gates can fall over which can prove fatal to those in the vicinity . One particular example was in 2013 , when a heavy steel gate fell and killed 67-year-old , Myra Goldman , when its bottom hinge failed . The coroner investigating her death issued a regulation 28 report to HSE and BSI , ‘ to prevent future death ’, and demanding that standards be improved . In his discoveries , the coroner had noted that a common practice used to prevent gates being lifted off their hinges had led to critical
vulnerability , and then to failure . In 2016 , the British standard for gates and fences , BS 1722 , was revised to prevent this practice leading to further fatalities .
“ At the time of the incident , it was common to fit gates with two hinges , the lower one with the hinge pin facing up , and the top one with the hinge pin facing down . In this design , the lower hinge bears the vast majority of the weight , wear and stress caused in normal use ; subsequently , it is the most likely hinge to suffer damage or a structural failure ,” explains Nick . “ Many powered gates originate from manual gates provided by fencing contractors that are later automated by others , with the effect that several have unsuitable and potentially
IronmongeryDirect ’ s Latest Catalogue Delivers More Choice unsafe hinge arrangements . In fact , the standard for powered gates , EN 12453 , has since its first publication in 2000 , required the structure of the system to conform to EN 12604 , which has always required that failure of any one suspension element ( e . g . a hinge ) should not allow a gate to fall . EN 12604 was later revised in 2017 to allow a degree of flexibility of design with the effect that it also provided a safe and compliant means to upgrade existing sub-standard systems .”
The standard currently allows a limited amount of falling over from the fully upright position , and therefore , there are now at least three means of providing a safe and compliant hinge design ; firstly , two hinges and a safety lanyard ( limited fall ), three hinges ( no movement or fall ), and two reinforced hinges .
www . dhfonline . org . uk
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» LEADING SPECIALIST supplier , IronmongeryDirect has released its latest catalogue featuring 500 new additions to its extensive range . Perfect for tradespeople browsing whilst on the go , the 2024 Autumn edition is available for free delivery or to view online on the retailer ’ s website .
A key highlight of the new line up from IronmongeryDirect includes a selection of highquality
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door handles from Alexander & Wilks which join a burgeoning range of door hardware from the specialist retailer . Representing the epitome of British architectural door hardware and ironmongery design , the collection offers customers a variety of attractive finishes in three styles , including the Spitfire Reeded Door Handles on rose , featuring a tactile |
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The retailer has also expanded its range with a further 2,300 products available online , including a wide choice of tools and tool accessories from
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industry leading brands OX Tools , ProDec and TIMCO .
www . IronmongeryDirect . co . uk / free-catalogue
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SEPTEMBER 2024
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