Making the ASTM F2200 Gate Construction ... - …

1 A:Not at all. Designers who spec-ify UL 325 listed and labeled gate op-erators should already be familiar withsome of the provisions in ASTMF2200, since it has been harmonizedwith UL 325. Designers just need to be aware ofthe additional provisions in ASTMF2200 that address certain gaps, heightof barbed tape/barbed wire, and pro-trusions. These additional provisionsare explained in simple companies have told us thatconformance to the standard is verystraightforward. But if it seems com-plicated, companies should make a con-certed effort on education. Some companies have used infor-mation published by the Door and Ac-cess Systems Manufacturers Associa-tion (DASMA) to educate internal staffon how to conform to both UL 325 :Why do we need to build toF2200 if it is not a federal law?

2 A:Complying with F2200 makesgood business sense. Remember, thestandard is now in the public domain,and is here to stay. We firmly believethat conformance to the standard willreduce serious accidents and the lia-bility that goes with them. A company s use or non-use of thestandard reflects on the company s busi-ness practices. If an accident occurs involving agate that you could have installed con-forming to the standard, and the stan-dard was not followed, your day incourt may be difficult. Conversely, you may be dismissedfrom such a case if the gate was foundto conform. We have noticed that bigger andheavier gates are being specified, particularly for gated communities.

3 Big-ger gates can mean more potential forinjury and greater liability. We have also seen communitiesthat have refused to request gates con-forming to astm F2200 . They some-times reason that the gates should be built the way they ve always beenbuilt. But today s gates should be in-stalled according to today s safety stan-dards. We live in a changing societywhere litigation is ever on the businesses stay current with tech-nology and with the latest safety conclude, we highly recom-mend the following:1. Obtain and review a copy of thestandard. Contact astm or ask yourgate operator supplier to educate youon the content of the Develop within your companyan educational program on the stan-dard.

4 You can use helpful DASMA pub-lications as well as publications fromyour gate operator Stay abreast of the latest activi-ties concerning the standard. If yourgate operator supplier is a DASMA member, your supplier is likely well in-formed of the latest Work with your gate operatorsupplier. Be aware of the relationshipbetween UL 325, astm F2200 and thetechnology your supplier has built intoits Know the local requirementsapplying to each job. In the state of Nevada, for instance,the law requires that gate systems in-clude operators that comply with UL325. Other local codes, laws, or ordi-nances may require gates and operatorsto comply with the standards or provi-sions contained in the an installation check-list.

5 List all of the safety related provi-sions contained in astm F2200 , andreview them with your Compile informational materialsto share with your customers. Chooseinformation relevant to the specific job,and highlight important s note: We have been re-ceiving calls regarding the ASTMF2200 gate Construction standard was developed by a coali-tion of parties within the gate and ac-cess control industries, and is now aconsensus standard of astm Interna-tional. While UL 325 addresses safetyfeatures of the gate operators them-selves, the F2200 standard addressesthe overall automated gate system in-stallation, with the aim of ensuring thatproper safeguards are designed into following is a Q&A format columndeveloped by Rick Sedivy of DoorKing,who has been closely involved in allphases of its outside our industry oftenunderestimate the power of a motor-ized vehicular gate .

6 Knowing the po-tential hazard of a moving gate , a coali-tion of industry experts developedASTM F2200 , the gate ConstructionStandard. (Editor s note: Even thoughthe standard was published in 2002, andsince updated, most within the indus-try agree that more education on, anddissemination of, the standard isneeded.) We hope the following questionsand answers will help you (1) complywith the standard, (2) promote goodbusiness practices, and (3) implementsafer and better operation of motorizedvehicular gates. Q:Isn t a standard for gate opera-tors (UL 325) enough?A:No. The UL 325 standard is in-tended to address the operator.

7 UL 325addresses some aspects of the vehicu-lar gate , but other potential hazards arenot addressed. UL and the Consumer ProductSafety Commission recognized this inthe late 1990s when they challengedthe industry to create the document nowknown as astm F2200 . Q:Doesn t the standard compli-cate the task of designing and buildinga gate system?Copyright 2006 reprinted from World Fence News April 2006 issue the astm F2200 gate Construction Standard work for youto less than 16 inches must be protected. Swing gates must not have anyprotrusions on the bottom of the course, this is only the briefestof summaries of the standard.

8 Refer toASTM F2200 for complete informa-tion. You can order this and other stan-dards from astm International at 610-832-9585, fax 610-832-9555, or also offers some valuableinformation. Contact the organizationat 216-241-7333, fax 216-241-0105, orvisit the company s web site located is North America s lead-ing trade association of manufacturersof garage doors, rolling doors, garagedoor operators, vehicular gate opera-tors, and access control International is one of thelargest voluntary standards develop-ment organizations in the world. Stan-dards developed at astm are the workof over 30,000 astm members. Thesetechnical experts represent producers,users, consumers, government andacademia from over 100 : Where applicable, ASTMF2200 standards include the followingrequirements: Covers for all exposed rollers.

9 Protective screen mesh. Guard posts. Slide gates and the adjacent fencemust not allow a 21 4-inch sphere to passthrough, up 48 inches above the ground. Gates must be prevented fromfalling over if disconnected from thegate opener. Swing gates with potential en-trapment zones of greater than 4 inchesCopyright 2006 reprinted from World Fence News April 2006 issue