UL-325 Safety Standards

UL 325 Safety Standards are rules and regulations that must be followed to properly address the safety concerns and requirements needed for the automatic operation of all garage doors, vehicular gates, draperies, exterior awnings, louvers, windows, and other opening and closing appliances rated at 600 V or less. Industry leaders created this standard with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to evaluate products for public safety, including preventing fire and electrical hazards.

By pairing with Underwriters Laboratories, the manufacturers of automatic operators can provide their consumers with safety requirements for all applicable products and the ability to be tested at a nationally recognized testing laboratory. To comply with these standards, you must first understand the information required for the safe and secure installation, use, and maintenance of all automated gate operators. The 7th Edition of the UL 325 Safety Standards, commonly referred to as UL 325-2018, is the latest revision and became effective August 1st, 2018.

All gate operators manufactured on or after August 1st, 2018, must meet or exceed the most up-to-date standards for safety set forth by the 7th Edition of UL 325. The information in this article is educational and does not replace the manufacturer's manual. Always verify current requirements with UL, the manufacturer, and local authorities. Product compatibility and installation must be confirmed for the specific gate system.

The Revised UL 325 7th Edition seeks to prevent accidents from happening and keep you and your loved ones safe. Some provisions clarify select 6th Edition wording to avoid misinterpretation, prohibit tampering with or bypassing key monitoring features, and add manufacturer responsibilities for compliance. The notable 2018 changes to UL 325 are outlined below.

< p> < strong>* All Tampering or Workaround Techniques Are Strictly Prohibited. Including, But Not Limited To:

• Operator Modifications
• External Entrapment Protection Device Alteration
• Using or Suggesting Components With Intent To Bypass, Interfere With, or Overturn Monitoring Functions
• Resistors Are Prohibited From Being Provided With Operators or Installed Across Terminals That Are Made For Monitored Entrapment Devices
• Manuals Containing Instructions For Reprogramming, Reconfiguring, or Resetting Monitored Outputs That Do Not Comply With UL 325-2018

Gate Operator Classes

The latest revision to the UL 325 standard has introduced a classification for the different types of gate systems. Ideally, classifying gate systems and their intended uses will provide more clarity when adhering to safety standards. Each class requires specific types of obstruction-sensing devices. The classes are as follows:

• Class I - Residential Vehicular Gate Operator: A vehicular gate operator or system intended for use in garages or parking areas associated with a residence of one to four single families.
• Class II - Commercial/General Access Vehicular Gate Operator: A vehicular gate operator or system intended for use in a commercial location or building such as a multi-family housing unit (five or more single-family units), hotels, garages, retail store, or other buildings accessible by or servicing the general public.
• Class III - Industrial /Limited Access Vehicular Gate Operator: "A vehicular gate operator or system intended for use in an industrial location or building such as a factory or loading dock area or other locations not accessible by or intended to service the general public."
• Class IV - Restricted Access Vehicular Gate Operator: "A vehicular gate operator or system intended for use in a guarded industrial location or building such as an airport security area or other restricted access locations not servicing the general public, in which authorized access is prevented via supervision by security personnel."

Gate Operator Category

Horizontal Slide, Vertical Lift, & Vertical Pivot Entrapment Protection Types: A, B1, B2, or D

Swing & Vehicular Barrier (Arm) Entrapment Protection Types: A, B1, B2, C, or D

Entrapment Protection Types

• Type A - Inherent Entrapments Protection System
• Type B1 - Non-Contact Sensor (Photoelectric Sensor or the Equivalent)
• Type B2 - Contact Sensor (Edge Device or the Equivalent)
• Type C - Inherent Force Limiting, Inherent Adjustable Clutch or Inherent Pressure Relief Device
• Type D - Actuating Device Requiring Continuous Pressure to Maintain Opening or Closing Motion of the Gate

*The same type of device shall not be utilized for both entrapment protection means. Using a single device to cover both opening and closing directions complies with the requirement.

Entrapment Protection Devices

In this context, entrapment is defined as the condition when an object is caught or held in a position that increases the risk of injury. The minimum number of external entrapment protection sensors required in a typical automated gate installation will depend on the type of operator, the type of gate, and the number of entrapment zones that require protection. At least two means of entrapment protection are required in each direction of travel for most installations. For any installations in which a direction has a risk of entrapment, at least two independent means of entrapment protection are required.

Minimum Quantity Of Entrapment Protection Devices Required Per Automatic Gate Operator

*For a horizontal swing gate operator, at least two independent entrapment protection means are required in each direction of travel. Except if there is no entrapment zone in one direction of travel, only one means of entrapment protection is required in that direction; however, the other direction must have two independent means of entrapment protection.

ASTM F2200 Standards

The ASTM F2200 standard governs the construction of the gates that are intended to be automatic. Therefore, ASTM F2200 emphasizes design and installation standards to help meet UL 325 requirements. UL 325 and ASTM F2200 work cohesively to provide the general public with the highest level of safety. ASTM F2200 standards require that automated gates must have the following, where applicable:

• Guard Posts
• Protective Screen Mesh
• Covers For All Exposed Rollers
• Swing gates must not have any protrusions on the bottom of the gate
• Gates must be prevented from falling over if disconnected from the gate opener
• Swing gates with potential entrapment zones of greater than 4" to less than 16" must be protected
• Slide gates and the adjacent fence must not allow a 2 1/4" sphere to pass through up to 48" from the ground

Slide Gates

• All exposed weight-bearing rollers and pinch points that exist within 8 ft above grade must have covers.
• Gate must have fall-over protection to prevent the gate from falling when it is detached from supporting hardware.
• The physical gate stops to avoid over-travel in both directions.
• Proper adjustment of the inherent sensing system.
• No protrusions along the bottom of the gate.
• Protective screen mesh to guard openings from the gate's base support to a minimum height of 6 ft above the ground. This must prevent a sphere of 2.25 inches from passing under or through any opening in the gate or adjacent fence (the portion covered in the gate's open position).

Swing Gates

• Swing Gates used for vehicular traffic; operators must be installed
• Pedestrians must be directed to a separate entrance and exit
• The area of the gate must be designed so that people do not come in contact with it while it is in motion
• Signage to warn pedestrians to stay clear of the gate's path should be posted and be clearly visible
• Proper promotion of the separate pedestrian entrance and exit.
• No protrusions along the bottom of the gate.
• Fall over protection to prevent the gate from falling when the gate is detached from supporting hardware.

Safety Checklist

• Provide and Maintain Walkways and Signage to Direct Pedestrians to Separate Walk-Through Entrance
• Clearly Display Warning Signs on Both Sides of the Gate Where Vehicles Can See
• Gate Controls Should Not Be Operated or Played With By Children, Nor Should Children Have Access to Remotes or Transmitters
• All Access Controls Should Be Mounted At Least 6 ft Away From Moving Parts

Professional Installation

If a professional is installing your gate opener, they should provide you with a safe gate operating system. To ensure safety and comply with the manufacturer's installation instructions and industry safety standards, your installer should present options for safety devices they believe are necessary to ensure a safe gate system. We STRONGLY suggest you discuss these options with your installer and follow their recommendations on entrapment-prevention devices and gate construction criteria. You should also refer to the manufacturer's installation manual for more information on the safety provisions and requirements of your particular vehicular gate system.

Disclaimer: All customers and installers should check with UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) for the full UL 325 listing and most up-to-date regulations.

Gate Safety Installation Checklist