The new UL 325 standard is a safety standard for door, drapery, gate,
louver, and window operators and systems. Specifically, it applies to
electric operators for doors, draperies, gates, louvers, windows and other
opening and closing appliances rated 600 volts or less.
This new standard is the result of industry leaders
working with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), with the common objective
of providing products that are safe for the general public, as well as
for preventing fire and electrical hazards.
The UL 325 standard allows all applicable products to be tested at a nationally
recognized testing laboratory. The new standard also:
- Contains the basic qualifying factors with which products must comply in order to be documented (listed) and marked (labeled) under the requirements of the UL 325 voluntary listing and labeling program.
- Pertains to methods for testing products for safety.
- Cover installation of products under the requirements of the National Electrical Code.
- Address fire and electrical safety, as well as safety of the public.
All parties in the door, drapery, gate, louver, and window operator and systems industries should be aware of the new UL 325 standard in order to provide the highest safety and liability prevention available for these systems. These parties include the manufacturer, designer, specifier, dealer, installer, technician, and end user-all of whom are responsible for the safety of these systems. The new standards affect how the systems are specified, installed, serviced, and used. Compliance by all parties will provide maximum safety.
One of the highlights to emerge from the new UL 325 standard has been the introduction of new classifications, or groupings of various types of systems. An example of these new classifications can be seen in gate operators:
Class I - Residential Vehicular Gate Operator
A vehicular gate operator (or system) intended for use in a home of one to
four single family dwellings, or garage or parking area associated
therewith.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, hotel, garages, retail store or other building 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 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 location not servicing the general public, in which unauthorized access is prevented via supervisions by security personnel.
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Vehicular |
Type of Gate |
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Horizontal
Slide Gate |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Class I |
Type A |
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Type B1 |
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Residential Vehicular Gate Operator:
One to four single-family dwellings, or garage or parking associated therewith. |
Inherent
Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type B2 |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Class II |
Type A |
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Type B1 |
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Commercial / General Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Commercial location or building such as a multi-family housing unit (five or more single family units, hotel, garages, retail store or building servicing the General Public |
Inherent
Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type B2 |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Type A |
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Type A |
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Industrial / Limited Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Industrial location or building such as a factory or loading dock area or other locations NOT intended to service the General Public |
Inherent
Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type B1 |
Type B1 |
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Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type B2 |
Type B2 |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Type E |
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An inherent audio alarm. See 30A.1.16, 1.17, 1.18 |
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Vehicular |
Type of Gate |
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Horizontal
Slide Gate |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Type A |
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Type A |
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Restricted Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Industrial location or building such as a factory or loading dock area or other locations NOT intended to service the General Public |
Inherent
Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type B1 |
Type B1 |
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Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type B2 |
Type B2 |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
Provision for connection of, or supplied with, a contact sensor (edge device or equivalent) |
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Type D |
Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Type E |
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An inherent audio alarm. See 30A.1.16, 1.17, 1.18 |
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Class
III
NOTE
– The same type of device shall not be utilized for both the primary
and secondary entrapment protection means. Use of a single device to
cover both the opening and closing directions is in accordance with the
requirement; however, a single device is not required to cover both
directions. A combination
of one Type B1 for one direction and one Type B2 for the other direction
is the equivalent of one device for the purpose of complying with the
requirements of either the primary or secondary entrapment protection
means.
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Vehicular |
Type of Gate |
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Swing
Gate |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Class I |
Type A |
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Type A |
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Residential Vehicular Gate Operator:
One to four single-family dwellings, or garage or parking associated therewith. |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type C |
Type B1 |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type C |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Class II |
Type A |
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Type A |
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Commercial / General Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Commercial location or building such as a multi-family housing unit (five or more single family units, hotel, garages, retail store or building servicing the General Public |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type C |
Type B1 |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type C |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Vehicular |
Type of Gate |
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Swing
Gate |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Type A |
And one of the following Secondary Device Types |
Type A |
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Industrial / Limited Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Industrial location or building such as a factory or loading dock area or other locations NOT intended to service the General Public |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type B1 |
Type B1 |
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Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type C |
Type C |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
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Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Type E |
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An inherent audio alarm. See 30A.1.16, 1.17, 1.18 |
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Required Primary Device Type |
Required Secondary Device Type |
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Type A |
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Type A |
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Restricted Access Vehicular Gate Operator:
Industrial location or building such as a factory or loading dock area or other locations NOT intended to service the General Public |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
Inherent Entrapment Sensing -Current Sensing, Zero Speed or Equivalent. See 30A.1.2 Below |
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Type B1 |
Type B1 |
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Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
Provision
for connection of, or supplied with, a non-contact (photoelectric
sensor or equivalent) |
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Type C |
Type C |
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Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
Inherent adjustable clutch or pressure relief device. See 30A.1.15 |
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Type D |
Type D |
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Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
Provision for connection of, or supplied with, an actuating device requiring continuous pressure to maintain opening or closing motion of the gate. See 30A.1.14 and 1.15. |
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Type E |
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An inherent audio alarm. See 30A.1.16, 1.17, 1.18 |
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NOTE
– The same type of device shall not be utilized for both the primary
and secondary entrapment protection means. Use of a single device to
cover both the opening and closing directions is in accordance with the
requirement; however, a single device is not required to cover both
directions. A combination
of one Type B1 for one direction and one Type B2 for the other direction
is the equivalent of one device for the purpose of complying with the
requirements of either the primary or secondary entrapment protection
means.
The
following are excerpts from UL325 for the purpose of clarification of
the above Rules. Please note that this information is NOT complete.
Should you require more specific information please contact us at info@ul325.com
or contact Underwriters Laboratories directly through www.ul.com.
30A1.2
A gate operator installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions utilizing entrapment protection designated Type A in Table 30A.1 to comply with 30A.1.1 shall upon sensing an obstruction in any direction:
a) Stop and initiate the reversal of the gate within a maximum of 2 seconds. The gate operator shall reverse the gate a minimum of 2 inches (50.8 mm). The gate operator shall require a renewed, intended input (via wired or wireless control or integral control, a loop sensor, a card reader, or similar device) prior to enabling any automatic actuation devices such as a timer or any other maintained input that was present when the reversing function occurred.
b) Stop the gate upon sensing a second sequential obstruction. The gate operator shall require a renewed, intended input (via an integral control or a wired remote intended to be in the line of sight of the gate) prior to enabling any automatic actuation devices such as a timer or any other maintained input that was present when the reversing function occurred. An alarm shall comply with paragraph 30A.1.1A.
30A.1.4
A gate operator utilizing entrapment protection designated Type B1 in Table 30A.1 by having provision for connection of, or providing with the operator, a non-contact sensor (photoelectric sensor or equivalent) to comply with 30A.1.1 shall, when the sensor is actuated:
a) Stop or reverse the gate within a maximum of 2 seconds of sensing an obstruction in both the opening and closing directions.
b) Stop the gate upon sensing a second sequential obstruction in the opposite direction while in the process of reversal as described in (a).
c) Result in a gate at rest remaining at rest unless a Type D device is actuated, and
d) Return to normal operation when the sensor is no longer actuated.
30A.1.5
With reference to 30A.1.4, a non-contact sensor is required to function only to protect obstructions in the gate’s direction of travel.
30A.1.6
A gate operator installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions utilizing entrapment protection designated Types B1 and B2 in Table 30A.1 as the primary device to comply with 30A.1.1 by having provision for connection of such device, or providing such device with the operator, shall monitor for the presence and correct operation of the device, including the wiring to it, at least once during each open and close cycle. The operator shall function as required by 30A.1.15 in the event the device is not present or a fault condition occurs which precludes the sensing of an obstruction. A fault condition includes an open or short circuit in the wiring that connects the external entrapment protection device to the operator and the device’s supply source.
30A.1.7
A gate operator utilizing a non-contact sensor for entrapment protection in accordance with 30A.1.1 shall be supplied with instructions in compliance with 51.8.4.
30A.1.8
A non-contact sensor (photoelectric sensor or equivalent) supplied with, or separately supplied for, a gate operator that is intended to reduce the risk of entrapment or obstruction shall comply with the applicable requirements in All Devices, Section 32, and Photoelectric Sensors, Section 33. A separately supplied sensor shall comply with 53.3.3, 53.3.4 and 53.3.5.
a) Stop and initiate the reversal of the gate within a maximum of 2 seconds of sensing an obstruction in any direction. The gate operator shall reverse the gate a minimum of 2 inches (50.8 mm).
b) Stop the gate upon sensing a second sequential obstruction in the opposite direction, while in the process of reversal as described in (a).
c) Result in a gate at rest, unless a Type D device is actuated, and
d) After the sensor is actuated no more than 2 times during a single closing cycle, or once in a single opening cycle, require a renewed intended input (via wired or wireless control or integral control, a loop sensor, a card reader, or a similar device) prior to enabling any automatic activation devices such as a timer or any other maintained input that was present when the reversing function occurred.
30A.1.9A
With reference to 30A.1.9, a contact sensor is only required to sense obstructions in the gate’s direction of travel.
30A.1.10
A gate operator utilizing a contact sensor for entrapment protection to comply with 30A.1.1 shall be supplied with instructions on the placement of the sensors for each Type of application in compliance with 51.8.4.
30A.1.11
A contact sensor (edge sensor or equivalent) supplied with, or separately supplied for, a gate operator that is intended to reduce the risk of entrapment or obstruction shall comply with the applicable requirements in All Devices, Section 32, and Edge Sensors, Section 34. A separately supplied sensor shall comply with 53.3.3, 53.3.4, and 53.3.5.
30A.1.12
A swing-gate operator utilizing entrapment protection designated Type C in Table 30A.1 to comply with 30A.1.1 shall, upon sensing an obstruction in any direction, stop the gate and:
a) Not result in a force after 100,000 cycles of operation under rated load of more than 10 percent higher than the initial setting to stop the gate. When adjustable, the initial setting is to be at the setting for maximum force, and
b) Be readily accessible for inspection and repair and not readily rendered inoperative.
30A.1.14
A gate operator utilizing entrapment protection designated Type D in Table 30A.1 by having a provision for connection of, or providing with the operator, a continuous pressure actuation device to comply with 30A.1.1 shall be constructed so that a wireless control shall not operate the gate. Also see paragraph 51.8.4 (e), 52A.1.5, and 52A.1.6.
30A.1.15
A gate operator installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions utilizing entrapment protection designated Type D in Table 30A.1 to comply with 30A.1.1 shall require constant pressure or actuation to initiate and continue movement of the gate in either the opening or closing direction. Upon removal of pressure, movement of the gate shall cease. Unless supplied with separate Open and Close buttons, each subsequent pressing of the control button shall reverse direction of the gate.
30A.1.16
A gate operator utilizing entrapment protection designated Type E in Table 30A.1 by having a provision for, or providing with the operator, audio alarms to comply with 30A.1.1 shall:
a) Initiate actuation of the alarm(s) a minimum of two seconds prior to movement of the gate, and
b) Continue actuation of the alarm(s) throughout the entire opening and closing cycle of the gate.
30A.1.17
An audio alarm for a Type E device shall comply with 30A.1.18 and the applicable requirements in All Devices, Section 32, and Audio Alarms, Section 34A.
30A.1.18
The audio alarm signal for a Type E device shall be generated by devices such as bells, horns, sirens, or buzzers. The signal shall have a frequency range of 700 to 2800 Hz, a cycle of the sound level pulsations of 1 to 2 per second, a sound level at least 100 dB1 foot (305 mm) in front of the device, and not vary more than ±8 dB over the voltage range of operation. When the audio alarm is not supplied with the operator, instructions specifying the signal criteria shall be supplied with the operator.
30A.1.19
A Class I or Class II horizontal slide-gate or vertical lift-gate operator (or system) shall not result in a gate movement of greater than one foot per second with the operator exerting a pull force of 74 pounds (333.6N) and when connected to a supply circuit of maximum rated voltage and rated frequency.
30A.1.20
A vehicular gate operator shall have a means for manual operation so that the gate is capable of being moved independently of the operator. For a Class I, II, or III vehicular gate operator, the means for operation shall be supplied as an integral part of the operator and the operator shall be marked with instructions for manual operation. For a Class IV vehicular gate operator, the use of a nearby keyed release or a remotely located non-keyed release to release the operator from the gate meets the intent of this requirement.
51.8.4
Instructions regarding intended installation of the gate operator shall be supplied as part of the installation instructions or as a separate document. The following instructions or the equivalent shall be supplied where applicable:
a)
Install the gate operator only when:
1) The operator is appropriate for the construction of the gate and the usage Class of the gate,
2) All openings of a horizontal slide gate are guarded or screened from the bottom of the gate to a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground 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,
3) All exposed pinch points are eliminated or guarded, and
4) Guarding is supplied for exposed rollers, could be UL approved.
b) The operator is intended for installation only on gates used for vehicles. Pedestrians must be supplied with a separate access opening.
c) 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. Swinging gates shall not open into public access areas.
d) The gate must be properly installed and work freely in both directions prior to the installation of the gate operator. Do not over-tighten the operator clutch or pressure relief valve to compensate for a damaged gate.
e) For gate operators utilizing Type d protection:
1) The gate operator controls must be placed so that the user has full view of the gate area when the gate is moving,
2) &n