Media information

September 10, 2015

Fencing professionals join powered gate safety campaign

The British and European fencing and access sectors have lent their support to a vital national safety campaign designed to make accidents caused by automatic gates a thing of the past.

The Fencing Contractors Association (FCA), Gate Automation and Access Barrier Association (GAABA) and the European Fencing Industry Association (EFIA) have put their weight behind Gate Safety Week being held from October 12 - 18.

Campaigners declared this to be a week of action in a bid to dramatically improve the safety of automated gates in the UK. The campaign is being organised 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.

The DHF says the campaign will active engage with and educate those responsible for automated gates - owners, maintainers, installers and those with management responsibility for powered gates. The campaigners will be actively encouraging best practice in all aspects of powered gates and will be working hard to further improve standards across the industry.

In recent years, three children and three adults have been killed in 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 FCA and GAABA said: "As a pro-active organisation at the forefront of supporting legislation, standards and training across the industry, the FCA and the GAABA are delighted to add our support to the campaign and fully support the DHF in their drive to raise public awareness of unsafe powered gates."

EFIA's Bernard J Kilbridesaid: "EFIA actively promotes safety standards and awareness within the UK fencing and gates sector, and is delighted to support DHF's Gate Safety Week and its various associated safety and training initiatives."

There is comprehensive guidance for thosethose responsible for specifying, managing and maintaining automatic gateson 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 an automatic gate.

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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