Electric Gates & Barriers for Schools: Safety, Compliance & Long-term Plan Explained

Schools across the UK face a growing challenge: balancing security and safeguarding with health & safety compliance. Electric gates and barriers are one of the most effective ways to control access, but many facilities managers ask the same questions: Are they safe? Do we really need them? What does compliance look like?

Here’s a practical guide to what you need to know before installing or servicing electric gates at your school.

Are Electric Gates Safe – and Are They Needed in Schools?

Electric gates can be very safe when installed and maintained correctly, but history shows the risks if compliance is ignored.

• Standards: All school gates must comply with BS EN 12453, which sets the safety requirements for automated gates, including sensors, safety edges, and force limitation.

• Risk Assessments: Under UK H&S law, every automated gate on school grounds should undergo a site-specific risk assessment. This considers pinch points, pedestrian routes, and high-traffic times like drop-off and pick-up.

Real Cases:

• In 2010, 5-year-old Karolina Golabek was crushed by an unsafe sliding gate at a block of flats in Bridgend. The case led to prosecutions and heavy fines for installers and maintenance firms

• Similar child fatalities and injuries across the UK prompted the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to issue strict guidance for schools and public places.

The conclusion is, schools do need gates for safeguarding and security—but they must be installed to the right standard and regularly tested to keep children safe.

2. Health & Safety Requirements for School Gates

For schools, H&S isn’t just red tape—it’s a legal and safeguarding duty. The key requirements include:

• Compliance with EN 12453 (force limitation, safety sensors, emergency stop).

• Full risk assessment before installation.

• Regular servicing and force testing—annual at minimum, though schools often do six-monthly checks.

• Safeguarding pupils: design must avoid trapping points where children could climb or get caught. Gates must also separate vehicle and pedestrian access.

Consequently, failing to meet these duties leaves schools (and governors) legally and financially exposed.

3. What Are the Best Access Control & Gate Systems for Schools?

The “best” solution depends on the school environment, but most schools look for:

• Swing or Sliding Gates – depending on available space and traffic flow. Sliding gates often suit tight entrances; swing gates can be simpler in lower-traffic schools.

• Barriers for Car Parks & Buses – robust automatic barriers for staff and delivery access, often paired with a pedestrian gate.

• Access Control Systems:

  • Audio/Video Intercoms for reception teams to control visitor entry.

  • Keypads or Swipe/Fob Readers for staff access.

  • Integration with safeguarding policies, ensuring pupils cannot exit freely while keeping access smooth for staff.

4. Installation & Servicing: Insurance, Safety & Legal Compliance

The biggest risk schools face isn’t just the installation—it’s what happens afterwards. Courts have made clear: schools and local authorities are responsible for ensuring ongoing safety of gates on their property.

Best practice approach:

• Pre-installation: Full site survey & risk assessment, documented for insurers.

• Installation: Only use accredited engineers with proven school-sector experience.

• Post-installation: Force testing and certification to EN 12453, plus a written servicing plan.

• Servicing contracts: Annual or six-monthly inspections with compliance paperwork—this protects both safety and insurance cover. Get the best compliant servicing package deals from CM Gates & Barriers here, whether your gates were installed by another company.

Without service records, insurers may reject claims if a gate causes injury or damage.

What to do?

Electric gates and barriers are increasingly essential for schools—not just for convenience, but for safeguarding pupils and controlling site access. But with tragic cases showing what can go wrong, compliance is everything.

By choosing a partner like CM Gates & Barriers, schools can be confident that every gate and barrier is:

• Designed with child safety in mind.

• Installed to UK and EU standards.

• Backed by servicing contracts that keep you compliant for years to come.

For schools, the real question isn’t whether to install gates—it’s how to do it safely, legally, and sustainably.