UL 325 and Gate Operators

© 2001 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Spring 2001
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 38

Technical Tips

UL 325 and Gate Operators

The UL 325 standard is commonly understood to apply to residential garage door openers and the entrapment issue. Indeed, the first edition of UL 325 in 1973 was primarily focused on the electric operation of garage doors and did not contain provisions for gates.

However, in the last several years, the gate operator industry initiated the inclusion of electric gate operator provisions in UL 325. As more dealers become involved in selling and installing gate operators, it’s important for more to become aware of UL 325’s provisions for gate operators.

Overview of UL 325 and Gate Operators

UL 325 includes the following information about gate operators:

• A glossary that defines each type of operator
• Different classes of gate operators
• Entrapment* protection criteria for each class of operator
• Entrapment* alarm criteria
• Requirements for gate construction and installation
• Instructional requirements placing increased responsibility on installers

*In the document, “entrapment” is defined as “the condition when an object is caught or held in a position that increases the risk of injury.”

DASMA’s Gate Operator Committee has prepared Technical Data Sheet (TDS) 353, a handy four-page reference tool that identifies many of the significant portions of UL 325 as it applies to gate operators. To obtain a free copy of TDS 353, contact DASMA at 216-241-7333, fax 216-241-0105, or dasma@dasma.com.