Transcript
Letter to Consumer or Property Manager
Date: (Date) Dear Property Owner/Property Manager: During a visit to your property on , one of our representatives discovered there was an issue regarding with the proper installation or condition of either the gate access system, or the gate itself. It was identified that the motorized gate: (circle all that apply) did not have proper secondary entrapment protection did not have warning placards the gate was not constructed to the safety regulatory requirements of ASTM F-‐2200 In 2010, there were three fatality cases regarding entrapment in gates that were motorized with electric gate operators. All three of these cases involved young children. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with important Gate Safety Information, and to encourage you to contact your Gate or Gate Opener Installer to be sure to check your entire gate system for safe operation. Safety: Underwriters Laboratory (UL) identifies a set of safety standards for the installation of motorized gate openers and the gates they are attached to. Among these safety standards, are the following requirements: Only install an automatic opener on gates used for vehicular traffic Warning placards must be placed on both sides of the gate where easily visible. The installation must include external sensing devices (known as secondary entrapment protection) that protect against entrapment. Examples of this are photo-‐eyes or contact sensing edges. A horizontal sliding gate itself must be designed or screened to prevent persons from reaching through a gate, per standard ASTM 2200. Most manufacturers of Gate Openers test and list their products to compliance with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standard UL325. These gate opener manufacturers provide instructions and warnings that the installer of these gate operators must include the addition of secondary entrapment protection sensors, and that the gate design itself is to be constructed to certain safety standards (ASTM F2200). Therefore, selecting a gate opener that is UL325 compliant is only one step in having a motorized gate system that meets these safety standards.
Liability: Although compliance with these safety standards from Underwriters Laboratory is voluntary, improper gate/gate system installations can lead to death or serious injuries to pedestrians. The liability of the property owner / property manager to the families of injured parties can be enormous, and can easily result in the bankruptcy of many people. A gate operator manufacture’s compliance to the UL standards is not a “defense” for an installation that is performed improperly or in a negligent fashion. Unless the entire gate and installation complies with theUL325 standard, it would be in direct conflict with the gate operator manufacture’s written instructions and warnings. Resources: There are a number of voluntary safety standards you should be familiar with. For your reference, UL325 is the safety standard for gate operators, and ASTM F2200 is the standard for the proper installation and construction of the gate itself. The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) has several Technical Data Sheets (TDS) on their website that can be downloaded for free at www.dasma.com. Once at this site, click on ‘Safety Information’, then ‘Automated Vehicular gate System Safety Guide’. You can also find safety awareness information at LiftMaster.com by selecting Gate Operators, then Gate Safety. This matter is very important to all of us in the industry who are striving to provide consumers with the safest products possible. As a concerned provider in the industry, we are alerting you to this condition, and advise you to contact your Professional Gate Operator Installer or Gate Operator Service Company to have them adjust your motorized gate and system to meet the current UL325 and ASTM safety standards. As always, we stand ready to provide whatever assistance or information you may require. Thank you. (Your name) Your Title and Company
