The UL-325 standard that addresses the automatic operation of garage doors, Drapery, Gate, Louver and Window Operators and Systems also contains provisions related to the automatic operation of access control gates.
This article is designed to highlight some of the provisions as related to automated gates and access control of self-storage facilities.

The primary intent of the standards is to prevent entrapment of persons in automated gate systems, as well as preventing injuries from pinch points. UL 325 is not concerned about the gate contacting vehicles, only the entrapment of people.
UL325 went into effect on March 1, 2000. The UL 325 standard is currently voluntary in most areas, although its provisions could carry the weight of law if they are mandated by a state, local or federal government. (Such action was taken by the state of Nevada in March of 2000. Many municipalities and counties are also currently contemplating the adoption of these standards so contacting the local building departments is strongly advised.)

This standard requires all gate operators and systems installed after the date the standard went into effect to be compliant. Some of the most important terms of UL 325 as pertaining to the self-storage industry are:
· Responsibility for U.L. safety standards does pass from the manufacturer to the dealer, to the installer, then to the property owner for continued compliance.
· A service/preventive maintenance program in place by the property owner to insure continued compliancy and the safe and proper operation of the system is strongly advised.
· The gate operator manufacturer will state the class of each operator in multiple places.
· The operator is appropriate for the construction of the gate and the usage class of the gate.
· The gate must be installed in a location so that enough clearance is supplied between the gate and adjacent structures when opening and closing to reduce the risk of entrapment.
· Primary and secondary safety devices must be provided and matched to the operator. Types of safety devises may include one or more of the following to qualify for the primary and secondary situations: properly adjusted sensitivity adjustments, pressure sensing bumper pad, photo eye properly set to sense obstructions in the gate path. One of the two systems must be a non-contact sensor. Loop detectors or other safety devises that are activated by metal or weight do not comply as UL 325 is only concerned with the entrapment of people and not vehicles.
· One or more non-contact sensors shall be located where the risk of entrapment or obstruction exists, such as the perimeter reachable by a moving gate or barrier.
· Review instructions on the placement of non-contact sensors for each type of application.
· In most conditions, an obstruction must be sensed within a maximum of two seconds. The gate operator shall stop and reverse a minimum of two inches.
· The system must stop the gate upon sensing a second sequential obstruction, and then not operate until an intended input is received (not by a timer to close, but it may be by a key pad input).
· Class I and Class II operators must have an audio alarm which shall function if two sequential activations of the entrapment protection device occur before the gate has completed one full cycle.
· Controls intended to be used to reset an operator after two sequential activations of the entrapment protection device or devices must be located in the line-of-sight of the gate.
· Do not over-tighten the operator clutch, sensitivity settings, or pressure relief valve to compensate for a damaged gate.

· For liability purposes, nothing should be done that would imply that pedestrians are allowed through vehicular gates.
· Warning signs must be permanently affixed to the gate panel. Warning signs should be posted on each side of the gate. All warning signs and placards must be installed where visible in the area of the gate. (It is suggested that the installing dealer take a dated photo of the gate system with the signs in place to prove that he furnished them.)
· The standard also addresses factors relating to gate construction and installation, especially safeguards to prevent "reach through" accidents with sliding gates.
· The operator is intended for installation only on gates used for vehicles. Pedestrians must be supplied with a separate non-automated access gate for pedestrian traffic. It is strongly suggested that the pedestrian gate be in the immediate vicinity, clearly visible from the automated gate to discourage pedestrians from using the automated gate.
· Vehicular gate operators should only be used on vehicular gates, never on pedestrian gates.
· All exposed entrapment and pinch points must be eliminated, guarded, or encompassed by the primary/secondary back up safety devices.
· Guarding must be provided for exposed rollers and wheels.
· The gate operator controls must be placed so that the user has a full view of the gate area when the gate is moving;
· Controls must be far enough from the gate so that the gate system user is prevented from coming in contact with the gate while he or she is operating the controls to prevent the "reach-through" accidents (5 feet or more is recommended).
· Outdoor or easily accessible controls shall have a security feature to prevent unauthorized use.
· All openings of a horizontal slide gate must be constructed in such a way as to prevent a 2-1/4 inch (57.15 mm) diameter sphere from passing through the openings anywhere in the gate, and in that portion of the adjacent fence that the gate covers in the open position; or it must be guarded or screened from the bottom of the gate to a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m) above the bottom of the fence in that area described above.
· Swing gates must not exert more than 40 pounds of force after initial start-up.
· Automated swing gates shall not open into public access areas.
· Class I and Class II slide gate operators cannot exceed a speed of one foot per second.
· Care shall be exercised to reduce the risk of nuisance tripping, such as when a vehicle trips the sensor while the gate is still moving.

Gate Operator Classifications

Four distinct types of classifications have been established:

Class I : Residential usage, covering 1 to 4 single-family dwellings.
Class II : Commercial usage where general public access is expected; a common application would be a public parking lot entrance or gated community. Self storage facilities.
Class III : Industrial usage where limited access is expected; one example is a warehouse property entrance not intended to serve the general public.
Class IV : Restricted access; this includes a prison entrance that is monitored either in person or via closed circuitry.

The information presented here is in no way intended nor should be relied upon as legal advice. Installing dealers must always consult with the appropriate professional advisors when undertaking an installation.