Safety technology for gates – the comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide 2025
Easy to explain, professionally implemented: This guide shows you how garage, yard, and industrial doors reliably protect people, vehicles, and goods – with modern security technology that works simply and saves costs in the long run.
1) Why security technology is so important
A gate is as strong as a bull: It moves a lot of weight – quickly and with power. That's precisely why it needs "smart eyes and ears": sensors and switches that detect early on when someone is in the way or something is wrong. This keeps everyday life safe – for children, pets, packages, bicycles, and cars.
- Protection for people: Light barriers, light grids and optosensors prevent crushing and impact.
- Protection for technology: Slack rope switches, wicket door contacts and closing edge safety devices stop dangerous situations before anything breaks.
- Protection for your wallet: Well-coordinated systems prevent damage, downtime, and consequential costs.
Remember: Security technology is not a “nice-to-have” – it is the prerequisite for comfortable, quiet and long-lasting door systems.
2) Laws & standards explained clearly
Don't be afraid of the paragraphs! Here's the short version in everyday language :
- EN 13241 – the major gate safety standard: Regulates how gates must be constructed and operated to ensure everyone remains safe.
- EN 12453 – Protection during operation: Specifies how doors are protected during movement (e.g. closing edge safety devices, light barriers).
- EN 12978 – Requirements for safety devices: This sets out quality criteria for sensors and other devices.
- DGUV (Germany): Mandatory for companies – annual inspection by experts, documentation of results.
Good to know: Anyone who meets these standards is on the safe side – technically, legally and with insurance companies.
3) The 3-step protection concept: Avoid – Detect – React
- Avoid: Clever guidance, quiet running, correct drive power – so that dangerous situations do not arise in the first place.
- Detection: Sensors “see” obstacles (light barriers, light grids, optosensors) or problems (slack rope switches, wicket door contacts).
- Reaction: The control system stops or reverses slightly. Warning lights/traffic lights provide clear and unambiguous information.
4) All systems at a glance – explained in a very simple way, with professional details
4.1 Light barriers – the invisible “stop” beam
What they do: An infrared beam runs across the opening. If it's interrupted, the gate stops immediately.
- Ideal for: Garages & driveways where children, animals, and bicycles are present.
- Advantages: Affordable, reliable, easy to install.
- Shop link: Light barriers for gates & doors
4.2 Light grids – many beams, maximum protection
What they do: An entire "light curtain" of multiple beams monitors the passage. Perfect when things are wide, high, and fast-moving.
- Ideal for: high-speed doors, ramps, industrial areas with forklift traffic.
- Advantages: Larger protective field than light barriers, ideal for industry.
- Shop link: Light grids for industrial doors
4.3 Optosensors (closing edge safety device) – the protection in the lower edge of the door
What they do: An optical sensor is located in the rubber strip at the bottom of the door. The door stops or reverses as soon as it comes into contact with an obstacle.
- Ideal for: Roller and sectional doors – mandatory in commercial applications.
- Advantages: Reacts quickly and precisely at the critical point.
- Shop link: Optosensors & closing edge safety devices
4.4 Slack rope switch – the “safety line” for rope drives
What it does: Monitors the cable tension. If the cable sags or breaks, the drive shuts off immediately.
- Ideal for: Industrial doors with cable drive.
- Advantages: Prevents damage to the gate and goods, increases personal safety.
- Shop link: Slack rope switch
4.5 Wicket door contacts – door only moves when the door is closed
What they do: Detect whether the integrated wicket door is closed. Only then is the door allowed to move.
- Ideal for: Sectional doors with pedestrian wing/door in the door leaf.
- Advantages: Prevents dangerous operating errors, protects the door leaf and people.
- Shop link: Wicket door contacts
4.6 Radar detector – automatically turns on when someone approaches
What they do: Detect people/vehicles using radar. The gate opens contactlessly.
- Ideal for: Frequent entrances, hygiene areas (contactless), logistics.
- Advantages: speed, hygiene, comfort.
- Shop link: Radar & motion detectors
4.7 Signaling technology & emergency stop
Good safety provides information: Traffic lights, warning lights and emergency stop buttons make it visible what the gate is doing – and allow it to stop immediately in an emergency.
4.8 “Safe cables”: spiral cables & junction boxes
Why? The best sensor technology is useless if the signal isn't received reliably. Coiled cables follow the door's path of movement, and junction boxes protect connections.
- Shop link: Spiral cables & junction boxes
5) Applications – Home, Commercial, Industrial & Cold Chain
Private (garage & driveway)
- Light barrier + closing edge safety device = standard for a secure home.
- Optional: Code keypad or smart home for convenient access.
Apartment building & underground parking
- Light barrier + light grid (depending on width) for personal protection.
- Clear signaling technology (traffic lights) for visibility.
Industry & Logistics
- Light grids + optosensors + radar detectors = fast, safe work.
- Slack rope switches and wicket door contacts are mandatory, DGUV inspections annually.
Cold storage & food
- All-round sealing & fast sensor technology for energy and hygiene protection.
6) Selection guide – which system is right for you?
| situation | Recommendation | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Garage door with children/pets | Light barrier + closing edge safety device | Early stop, maximum safety |
| Wide industrial doors | Light grids + optosensors | Large protective field, fast response |
| Frequent forklift traffic | Radar detector + traffic light control | Speed & clear signals |
| Rope drive on the industrial gate | Slack rope switch | Stop if rope breaks/sags |
| Gate with wicket door | Wicket door contact | Gate only moves when the door is closed |
Tip: For best results, always combine several protection levels (e.g. light barrier + closing edge safety device).
7) Installation – DIY or specialist company?
Easy to do yourself
- Photocells on garage doors (with installation instructions).
- Wicket door contacts (if connections are clearly marked).
Please from a professional
- Light grids on industrial gates (alignment, parameterization).
- Optosensors/closing edge safety devices (correct integration into the safety chain).
- Radar detectors in logistics (direction-dependent detection, collision avoidance).
- All DGUV-relevant tests and acceptances.
Important: Safety devices are only as good as their configuration. If you're unsure, contact a specialist.
8) Maintenance & Inspections – Checklists
Monthly check (5 minutes)
- Is the photocell clear? Test: Hold your hand briefly – the gate should stop.
- Is the closing edge clean? Check the rubber and the optical channel.
- Radar detector reacting? Test the passage.
Half-yearly check
- Inspect spiral cables and junction boxes (kinks, moisture, corrosion).
- Test slack rope switch manually (serviceable).
Annual check (commercial: mandatory)
- Document DGUV test (measurement report, sticker).
- Replace worn parts, check software/parameters.
9) Troubleshooting – Quick Help
| symptom | Possible cause | First aid |
|---|---|---|
| Gate does not close | Light barrier covered/misaligned | Clean lens, check alignment |
| Gate stops on ground contact | Closing edge safety device triggers | Clean rubber/opto channel, check cable |
| Gate starts unintentionally | Radar detector too sensitive/false triggering | Reduce sensitivity/detection field |
| Gate crooked/jerky | Slack rope, uneven rope tension | Stop immediately, check ropes/switches (professional!) |
10) FAQ – short & clear
When do I need a light grid instead of a light barrier?
If the opening is large, is frequently used or you need a larger protective field (industry, logistics, high-speed doors).
Is a closing edge safety device alone sufficient?
In many cases, this is not necessary for compliance with standards – the combination with a light barrier or light grid is standard.
Do I have to audit my business annually?
Yes. The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) requires an annual inspection by experts, including documentation.
Magnetic sealing – also for wood/aluminum?
Yes, with adapter tape for non-magnetic surfaces. Holds firmly, easy to install.
