At PAC, we prioritise the safety and compliance of all automated gate systems. As a responsible automation company, we are members of the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).

Adhering to strict legislation and guidelines, we ensure every system we install or maintain meets the highest safety standards. If a system is found unsafe, we take immediate action to address the issues.

Maintenance companies have a legal responsibility under national criminal health and safety legislation not to leave equipment in an unsafe condition. This is mandated by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in England, Scotland, and Wales, the Health and Safety at Work Order 1978 in Northern Ireland, and the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 in the Republic of Ireland. Compliance with these laws requires that reasonable steps be taken to provide safety. Multiple prosecutions in the UK have shown that leaving an unsafe system in service following maintenance work fails to meet this legal test.

Issues are typically highlighted during or after a routine maintenance visit, or most commonly, during a system takeover. For each of these visits, our process includes:

• Risk Assessment: Conducted on-site to identify potential hazards.
• Force Test: Ensuring the gate’s operation complies with safety standards.
• Maintenance: If possible, maintenance will still be completed.

Once the engineer has passed the information back to the operations team, we will contact you to advise on the necessary recommendations.

Domestic Systems

For domestic users, there is not yet a legal obligation to have these additional safety features installed on existing systems. However, if a domestic property has employees, such as a housekeeper, it is classed as commercial and falls under the same legal requirements as commercial properties.

As a responsible gate and garage door maintainer, we are obliged to inform you of the risks and hazards, quote accordingly, and follow up as required. We may place an ‘Unsafe System Notice’ on your system, which could result in it being turned off until necessary repairs or upgrades are carried out.

Commercial and Multi-User Systems

In a commercial environment such as a business, rental property, multi-user setting (care home, retirement home, or multiple properties), or a property with employees, it is a legal requirement under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace Health and Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 to ensure that systems in use are safe. Failure to meet duties imposed by Health and Safety legislation can result in criminal proceedings.

We, as a company, are not obliged to attend to an unsafe system where the client has declined recommended safety works. If we do attend, we must leave the system in a safe condition.

Follow-up Actions (relevant to all systems)

• If you wish to proceed with the recommended compliance works, please advise us in writing/email and we will arrange this for you.
• If you do not wish to proceed with the compliance works, we require a letter/email informing us that you have been made aware of the dangers in relation to the system by means of the quote. This must be returned within 14 days of receipt of the quote. If you email/write to decline the quote, we will take this as acceptance of being made aware of the risks.

Our commitment to safety is reinforced by our adherence to DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) guidelines. These standards help ensure all automated gates, barriers, and doors operate safely and efficiently.

For more information on DHF standards and compliance, please visit the DHF publications.

For more information on gate safety and compliance, or to schedule a safety inspection, contact us today.