CASIT - Hazard and dangers of the systems, the Reference Standards, the installer and the Technical Fact Sheets
It is widely well known that if not properly implemented, the systems for the automation of gates, sliding gates or doors, garage doors or sectional overhead doors, folding doors, sectional or roller, both in private industry, may be hazardous to people or things.
Danger for people
The main risks concerning the mechanical aspect of the passage in certain areas include:
- cutting and shearing
- crushing impact
- collision
- drag
- lift
These, as you can guess, often lead to serious injury or even people’s death.
Danger for vehicles and transport
Certainly less serious than the first, but challenging due to the economic damage that can be inflicted on of the owner of the gap.
The Reference Standards
Concerning regulations, any form of automated closing (doors, gates, and the like) is considered as a "machine" rather than a system, thus the rules imposed for their correct construction and installation, refers primarily the Machinery Directive. Specifically, we have:
EN 12453: Industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates – Safety in use of power operated doors – Requirements;
EN 12445:2001: Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates – Safety in use of power operated doors – Test methods;
EN 12604: Industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates – Mechanical Aspects – Requirements;
EN 12605: Industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates – Mechanical aspects – Test methods;
EN 12978: Industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates – Safety devices for power operated doors and gates – Requirements and test methods;
EN 13241-1: Industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates – Product standard – Products without fire resistance or smoke control characteristics;
EN 12365: Gates and industrial doors, commercial doors and garage doors. Installation and usage.
Special attention is given to certain aspects related to the installation, such as:
- CE marking of the gates, which must be provided with an identification plate;
- the installer currently qualified to issue a Declaration of Conformity;
- the preparation of a manual of use and maintenance.
The system for the automation of gates, doors and big gates
Those who usually buy a solution for the automation and control of a gate require a complete system that includes the defined part of the mechanical drive (actuator, operator, gear motor) and the most important part which covers a whole range of safety components and control devices essential to safe operation (photocells, key switches or keyboards command, pneumatic edges, blinking light, etc..).
A key-factor: the installer’s skills and expertise
The person in charge of the installation, usually who purchases and motorizes the gate, door, or an opening in general, is identified as the builder of the "automation system" and must have all of the eligibility requirements to perform perfectly, both on the mechanical and electrical side; whether it be a new installation (new gate or door), or providing an automation system on an existing gate.
The implementation of the automatic system on an already existing gate, requires a series of mechanical tests, measurements and assessments in order to prove the compliance of the gate.
The technical installer, for each system of automatic opening/closing, must do:
- a general risk analysis
- an electrical and mechanical project
- a compliance check
- a specific mark with a special plate
- CE declaration
- a technical dossier of the system that must be kept for at least 10 years with all the identification data
The technical installer, for each system of automatic opening/closing, must provide:
- CE compliance declaration
- user manual and maintenance
- a register of periodic maintenance and extraordinary assistance
Audits, evaluations and check inspections for existing gates or garage doors
If the gate or door is existing and has never been motorized, before proceeding with the installation of the automation it is essential that the installer verify that the mechanical properties of the gate comply with EN12604 (mechanical requirements for industrial doors and gates, commercial and garage). In the case of non-compliance, it is compulsory to apply the required changes before the installation of the automatic system.
The Technical Booklet
It must includes a series of documents. Precisely:
- An implant drawing with a detailed outline of the electrical connections and all the controls references
- the forces used and the tests carried out (compliance data of the machine / gate / door with compliance to safety requirements)
- risk analysis and description technical solutions prepared for the prevention of the same technical documentation of all components used (supplied by the manufacturer)
The user and maintenance guide for the user
It must be provided to the end user and must contain:
- CE compliance declaration with the identification data of the automation
- instructions for safe use
- an indication of the defined dangerous zones
- information for correct use and regular maintenance over time
On the gate, on the door, on the garage door, on the barrier, the installer must apply a plate with CE marking provided by the manufacturer of automation control and safety components and that plate must shows:
- manufacturer's name (installer)
- type of gate/door
- size and weight
- power
- identification number
- year of construction
Topic Index
- The danger of the systems, the Reference Standards, the installer and the technical booklet
- The CE marking (enter »)
- Subjects and Responsibilities (enter »)
- Types of movements for openings with CASIT automated devices (enter »)
- The risk areas of the gates (enter »)
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Type system for sliding gates or swing gates, garage doors and industrial doors to pack side
folding, sliding or sectional, road barriers (enter »)