The T&T Bureau of Standards (TTBS) is encouraging homeowners to check and ensure that their gates are safe.
In a statement on Thursday, the TTBS said ensuring the health and safety of the most vulnerable members of society remains a matter of national concern.
It said sliding gates, which are poorly designed or built, can fall, causing serious injury or even death to people, often times, the young and elderly.
Two weeks ago, tragedy struck a Sangre Chiquito family when an iron gate fell on their two grandchildren.
One of the children, five-year-old Krystal Laloon, who was expected to attend online classes at the Sangre Grande Hindu School on February 7, died. Her cousin, Kavish Jaimungal, was seriously injured.
The TTBS said homeowners and residents should check and ensure that their gates are safe.
It said, firstly, a safety-post or safety-bracket should be installed to prop the gate in an upright position in the event that it derails.
Secondly, regular checks should be conducted to ensure that the gate rolls smoothly along the track and that the track is free of debris.
Finally, a safety stop should be placed at the end of the gate to prevent the gate from travelling past the fully open position.
Additionally, TTBS is advising gate designers, fabricators, installers, and other construction professionals to follow the guidelines outlined in the national standard TTS 641:2017, driveway gates – specification, which addresses safety issues involved in the design and installation of driveway gates.
It said this standard applies to both sliding and swing gates and covers both automated and non-automated (manual) gates.
The TTBS said TTS 641:2017 outlines the minimum design, construction and installation requirements necessary to reduce the level of risk and improve gate safety. It also specifies important safety features to minimise injury or damage in the event of gate derailment or failure.
TTS 641:2017 is aligned with TTBS’ mandate under the Standards Act (No 18 of 1997) to develop and maintain standards that encourages public and industrial welfare, health and safety.
The TTBS believes that through public awareness of this National Standard for Driveway Gates and active communication with its stakeholders in the construction sector can help in addressing the critical issue of gate safety in order to prevent serious injury and ensure the well-being of our citizens.
