Safety in use – power-operated building elements

Operating forced and their determination

In the case of power-operated components, the term “operating forces” refers to the forces required for the opening and closing movement. The user only experiences the effect of the operating forces when he comes into contact with the moving component.

Contact with moving parts of the component creates various hazards, which are essentially differentiated as follows: Hazards of bumping, crushing, shearing and drawing in for persons / limbs and objects.

In addition to the possibility of covering the moving parts, there is also the possibility of limiting the operating forces in the event of contact.

Basically, a distinction is made between two types of limitation of the operating forces:

• The limitation of the acting forces in case of contact in the initial phase
  by stopping or reversing the movement – force limitation
• The limitation of the acting forces before the contact
  by stopping or reversing the movement – non-contact safeguarding.

Whether the method of safeguarding is permissible depends on the group of users/operators and the type of actuation/control. This dependency is defined in the so-called minimum protection level (see e.g. EN 12453 Table 1). Since the circle of users for power-operated, automated doors is usually very broad, the non-contact protection must always be selected. Table 1 of EN 12453 applies to power-operated doors, with an important addition to point 5.1.3 in the current draft:

“Where persons at risk may be present (e.g. frail or elderly persons or children, as classified by the risk assessment taking into account the factors identified under 4.1), preference should be given to non-contact means E rather than C and D means (C + D and E, all as described in this sub-section) where technology and application permit.”

For windows, the risk assessment according to the Machinery Directive or ISO 12100 – Safety of machinery applies. As power-operated windows are often associated with building automation and ventilation technology, windows often start moving automatically and unpredictably. Therefore, non-contact safeguarding is also recommended for windows in most cases.

Test

Testing of the operating forces can be carried out for various reasons:

• ITT (Initial Type Test) / type test – by the recognised test laboratory.
• Commissioning – proper function – by the installer/manufacturer
• UVV – annually recurring – by the authorised expert

The measurement of the operating forces, mostly on gates (barriers), is carried out by means of a portable measuring device. Measurements are taken at standardised measuring points depending on the type of gate. The forces, their reduction and the temporal course are determined when the closing edge comes into contact with the measuring device, which is held against the counter-closing edge. (Location of measuring points for gates – EN 12453 Annex C)

The verification of non-contact, for doors and gates normatively regulated in EN 16005 and EN 12453 respectively, is carried out by means of standardised test pieces which must be detected by the safety devices. The procedures for doors and gates have been harmonised in the standardisation process so that the procedures are very similar.

In the absence of a described procedure for windows, the same procedure as for doors and gates is recommended here.

If desired, the test can also be carried out on site, at the manufacturer’s or at the construction site.

Notice:

Within the scope of the ITT / type examination, it must be ensured that the safety devices responsible for maintaining the operating forces or the non-contact safeguarding function permanently or that their malfunction is detected by the control system. The requirement here is either a redundant design of the safety devices or Performance Level C, Category 2 (or higher, according to EN ISO 13849-1).

Building elements / Standards

The following building elements can be tested and classified:

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Minimum requirements in Germany:

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