We often get asked by parents in family-heavy areas like Bishopston and Southville: "I want electric gates to stop my toddler running into the road, but I’m worried about them getting trapped."
It is a valid concern. Automated gates are heavy pieces of machinery. In the past, poor legislation and "cowboy" installations led to tragic accidents. However, the industry has changed drastically in the last decade.
At Joe's Fencing, we are blunt about this: We will not install a gate unless it meets strict UK safety standards. Here is what you need to know about keeping your little ones (and furry ones) safe.
The Law: Your Gate is a Machine
Under UK law, an automated gate is classified as a "machine," just like a lathe or a conveyor belt. This means it must comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. If a tradesman offers to slap a motor on your gate without safety sensors to "save you a few quid," show them the door. They are breaking the law and putting your family at risk.
The Three Layers of Safety
A safe gate doesn't rely on just one thing. We install a "triple-lock" system of protection:
1. Photocells ("Magic Eyes")
These are the infrared beams you see on gate posts. How they work: If a child or a dog breaks the beam while the gate is closing, the gate stops instantly and reverses. The Joe's Fencing Standard: We often install two sets of beams—one at shin height (for pets) and one slightly higher. This ensures a small dog doesn't walk under the beam undetected.
2. Safety Edges (The Bumpers)
Photocells are great, but what if the child is standing on the gate or in a blind spot? How they work: These are rubber rubber strips (like thick bumpers) fitted to the leading edges of the gate. Inside the rubber is a sensitive wire. If the gate touches anything—even lightly—it detects the resistance and springs back immediately.
3. Force Limitation
This is the final fail-safe. The motors are programmed to detect resistance. If the wind blows too hard or the gate hits an obstacle that the sensors missed, the motor senses the struggle and cuts out. It ensures the gate never pushes harder than a strict safety limit.
Specific Tips for Pet Owners
Dogs are quicker than gates. Here is how we design for them:
- Mind the Gaps: A sliding gate needs to slide past a post. This creates a "draw-in" point where a dog could get dragged. We install safety mesh or narrowing plates to ensure paws can't fit in the gaps.
- The "Under" Gap: If you have a Jack Russell, a 100mm gap under the gate is an escape route. We can design gates with minimal ground clearance or add a "brush strip" at the bottom that blocks the view but doesn't scrape the floor.
The Danger of DIY Automation
This is the one area of fencing where we strictly advise against DIY. Buying a cheap motor kit off the internet usually gives you a motor, but not the safety edges or the force-testing equipment needed to calibrate it.
If you have an existing electric gate that was installed years ago and you aren't sure if it's safe, test it (carefully). Wave a broomstick across the beam while it closes. If it doesn't stop, turn it off immediately and call a professional.
The Verdict
Are they safe? Yes—but only if installed correctly.
A properly installed automated gate is actually safer for children than a manual one, because it guarantees the driveway is closed to the busy main road, preventing them from running out.
Worried about your current gates? We offer a safety audit service to check if your system meets 2025 standards.
Featured Image Image [A close-up of a rubber safety edge on a modern grey aluminium gate, with a blurred family playing in the background garden.] Image Alt Text [Safety edges on electric gates for child and pet protection] Tags Select Tags Gate Safety Child Safety Electric Gates Pets Home Security Bristol SEO Settings Meta Title Are Automated Gates Safe for Kids & Pets? Meta Description Worried about electric gate safety? We explain photocells, safety edges, and force testing to ensure your Bristol driveway is safe for children and dogs.