Auto-Close Swing Gates: Why Two Sets of Safety Beams Aren’t Optional
Auto-Close Swing Gates: Why Two Sets of Safety Beams Aren’t Optional
If your commercial property has an automatic swing gate with an auto-close function, there's one question worth asking right now — how many sets of safety beams do you have installed?
If the answer is one, it's time for a conversation.
How safety beams are supposed to work
Safety beams are the invisible line of defence that make automated gates safe for everyday use. On a swing gate, they should be installed on both sides of the gate — one set to protect the opening cycle, and one to protect the closing cycle.
When both are in place, the gate can detect if a person, vehicle, or object is in the path of travel and stop or reverse before making contact. It's a simple concept, but a critically important one.
What happens with only one set?
With just one set of beams, only half of your gate's movement is protected. That means either the opening or the closing action is operating without any detection capability. In a busy commercial environment — with staff, customers, delivery drivers, and vehicles moving in and out throughout the day — that's a serious gap.
Auto-close timers make this even more important to get right. When a gate is set to close automatically after a set period, it doesn't wait. If someone is in the path and the beam coverage isn't there, the gate won't know.
Understanding your liability as a business owner
This is where it becomes a business risk, not just a safety one. Where an auto-close function is active and safety beam coverage is incomplete, the responsibility for safe operation falls squarely on the owner or operator of the premises.
In practical terms, that means all persons entering or using the premises acknowledge that the gate may close automatically without warning. The owner or operator disclaims liability for any loss, damage, injury, or death arising from the gate's operation — including when the auto-close timer activates — to the fullest extent permitted by law.
That's a significant exposure for any business to carry, particularly when the fix is a second set of safety beams.
Our recommendation
If your swing gate has auto-close and only one set of beams, talk to your gate technician about getting the second set installed. It's a straightforward upgrade that brings your system into compliance, protects the people using your property, and significantly reduces your liability.
At NewTower Gate Accessories & Automation, we won't cut corners on safety and we'd encourage you not to either. Get in touch with our team if you'd like us to assess your current setup.
