Key UK Legislation :

Organisations such as companies, schools, and colleges must comply with several overlapping laws:

This is the primary legislation governing workplace safety.

• Requires employers and organisations to ensure the safety of employees and the public
• Applies to schools, colleges, and all commercial premises
• Covers risks arising from automated gates and barriers

Duty: Ensure gates do not pose a risk to anyone using or accessing the premises

These regulations apply where automated gates are part of a workplace.

• Regulation 5: Equipment must be maintained in efficient working order
• Regulation 18: Doors and gates must be safe in use

Duty: Regular inspection, servicing, and safe operation

Automated gates are considered work equipment.

• Must be suitable, maintained, and inspected
• Users must be trained in safe operation

Duty: Ensure gates are safe throughout their lifecycle

Applies when a gate is installed or significantly modified.

• Requires CE/UKCA marking
• Must meet Essential Health & Safety Requirements
• Must include technical documentation and instructions

Duty: Ensure gates are compliant when installed or upgraded

Relevant where gates are electrically powered.

Duty: Electrical systems must be safe and properly maintained

Applies to public buildings including schools and colleges.

Duty: Ensure gates do not restrict access for disabled users

Duty of Care

All organisations have a legal duty of care to:

• Staff
• Students and pupils
• Visitors and contractors
• Members of the public

Failure to meet this duty can result in criminal prosecution or civil liability.

UK law makes it clear: maintenance is not optional.

Organisations must ensure:

• Regular servicing by competent engineers
• Safety devices are working correctly
• Faults are repaired immediately
• Unsafe gates are taken out of service

Powered gates must be “regularly checked… inspected, tested and adjusted”

It is a legal requirement for commercial and educational premises to maintain automated gates

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out to identify hazards such as:

• Crushing zones
• Entrapment areas
• Shearing points
• Impact risks

This must be reviewed regularly and after any changes.

To demonstrate compliance, organisations should keep:

• Maintenance logs
• Inspection reports
• Risk assessments
• Force testing results

These records are critical in the event of an incident or investigation.

Maintenance must be carried out by competent professionals with appropriate expertise. Anyone working on powered gates must have relevant mechanical and electrical knowledge. Mere UK is a fully accredited provider of automated gate, barrier, automatic door and access control maintenance services, employing trained, competent and security-vetted engineers to inspect, service, maintain and repair safety-critical automated systems. As a Paxton Platinum Approved installer and member of recognised industry bodies, we carry out maintenance in accordance with current UK legislation, manufacturer recommendations and relevant British and European Standards, helping clients fulfil their duties under health and safety regulations while ensuring their automated access systems remain safe, reliable, compliant and fully operational.

Although not law, compliance with recognised standards supports legal compliance:

BS EN 16005 (Safety in Use of Automatic Pedestrian Doors)

Requires automatic door systems to incorporate appropriate safety measures such as:

• Presence detection sensors
• Safety sensors and monitored activation devices
• Emergency stop functionality where applicable
• Safe opening and closing speeds
• Obstacle detection and protection systems
• Finger trap and impact protection measures

Requires regular inspection, testing, and maintenance to ensure safe operation and continued compliance.

Supports compliance with UK safety legislation

Requires safety devices such as:

• • Photocells
  • Safety edges
  • Force limitation systems

Requires regular inspection, testing, and maintenance to ensure safe operation and continued compliance.

Supports compliance with UK safety legislation

Failure to meet legal obligations can lead to:

• HSE enforcement action
• Unlimited fines
• Prosecution
• Civil claims for injury or death

If a gate is found unsafe, it must be taken out of use immediately until fixed

For companies, schools, and colleges:

• ✔ Ensure gates were legally installed and certified
• ✔ Arrange regular professional maintenance (at least annually, often more)
• ✔ Carry out routine visual checks
• ✔ Maintain safety devices (photocells, edges, etc.)
• ✔ Keep detailed service records
• ✔ Train staff on safe operation and emergency release
• ✔ Conduct periodic risk assessments

In the UK, automated doors, gates and barriers are legally classified as machinery and subject to strict safety laws. For organisations such as schools, colleges, and businesses, the key takeaway is: You are legally responsible for ensuring your automated automic door, barrier or gate is safe at all times — not just when it is installed, but throughout its entire life. Failure to maintain compliance can have serious legal and financial consequences.

Need Help with Compliance?

If you’re unsure whether your Automatic door, gate or barrier meets UK legal requirements, a professional safety audit and maintenance plan is essential.