Gate Automation Safety Guide

Automated gates and doors move heavy steel. Every Rollvento operator ships with obstacle detection and a manual release, but a safe installation needs external safety devices placed and tested correctly.

The safety layers

Layer	Device	What it does
Prevent contact	Photocells	Infrared beam across the opening; gate stops/reverses when broken
Prevent contact	Safety edge / airbag	Pressure-sensitive edge on the leading stile; stops on touch
Limit force	Obstacle detection	Board senses abnormal load and reverses
Warn	Warning lamp	Flashes before and during movement
Recover	Manual release	Key disengages drive for hand operation
Hold	Brake / self-locking gearbox	Shutter or gate cannot free-fall or be pushed

Placement guidance

Photocells — one pair minimum across the opening, 500–600 mm high. On sliding gates add a second pair inside the run-off zone where the gate retracts, so nobody is trapped between gate and wall. On swing gates place the pair on the side the leaves swing toward.

Safety edges — on the leading edge of sliding gates and on the closing edge of swing leaves where pedestrians pass. Rollvento’s AS01 airbag sensor uses a pneumatic pressure wave, so it needs no wiring in the moving edge itself.

Warning lamp — mounted where it is visible from both approach directions, typically on the pillar at 2 m.

Rolling shutters — pedestrians should never stand under a moving curtain. Fit photocells across the opening and keep the manual chain reachable but clear of the curtain path.

Boom barriers — a loop detector or photocell on the safety side stops the boom lowering on a vehicle. Provide a separate pedestrian gate; people should not pass under a boom.

Commissioning tests

1. Photocell test — break each beam during closing; the gate must stop and reverse.
2. Obstacle test — hold the gate gently during travel; it must stop and reverse without excessive force. Adjust board sensitivity if it pushes through.
3. Limit test — run full open and full close cycles; the gate stops at the mechanical stops without hammering.
4. Manual release test — isolate power, release, move the gate by hand, re-engage.
5. Power-cut test (DC with battery) — isolate mains and confirm the gate runs on battery.
6. Auto-close test — confirm the gate does not auto-close while the beam is broken.

Owner checklist

• Keep photocell lenses clean; a dirty lens can make the gate refuse to close.
• Keep the track (sliding) clear of stones and leaves.
• Do not add weight (sheets, signage) to a gate without re-checking the motor rating.
• Report any change in sound, speed or reversing behaviour to the installer.

Rollvento provides wiring diagrams and commissioning support to installers through technical support. Safety accessories are listed under safety sensors and alarm lamps.

Frequently asked questions