Q: Where is a self-closing safety gate required?
A: The most common application for FabEnCo self-closing safety gates is fall protection on an elevated work
platform with an unprotected opening, such as a ladderway or stair opening. Please see OSHA regulations
under 1910.23 – Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes below:
1910.23(a)(2) “Protection for floor openings”
Every ladderway floor opening or platform shall be guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard
on all exposed sides (except at entrance to opening), with the passage through the railing either provided
with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.
1910.23(c)(1) “Protection of open-sided floors, platforms, and runways”
Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by
a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except
where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toe board
wherever, beneath the open sides,
1910.23(c)(1)(i)
Persons can pass,
1910.23(c)(1)(ii)
There is moving machinery, or
1910.23(c)(1)(iii)
There is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.
Q: Other than fall protection, what are other uses for safety gates?
A: FabEnCo safety gates can provide additional safety solutions, including access control, machine guarding,
pedestrian traffic management and security.
Q: Do your safety gates meet OSHA’s load requirements?
A: Yes, we have tested our standard safety gate models to meet and exceed OSHA’s 200 pounds top rail
pressure requirement.
1910.23(e)(3)(v)(b)
A strength to withstand at least the minimum requirement of 200 pounds top rail pressure;
Q: How do I determine what size safety gate I need?
A: Simply measure the rail-to-rail clear opening between your handrails,
then find the corresponding size needed on your desired safety gate
model size list. For most safety gate models, we offer eight standard
sizes fitting clear openings 17” to 39.5”.
Q: How do your safety gates stop without hitting the opposite handrail and how large is
the gap in between?
A: All safety gate models have a positive stop near the gate hinge, allowing the gate to stop without hitting
the opposite handrail. This eliminates the pinch point between the gate and handrail.
• A and XL Series – adjustable stop bolts
• R, RX, Z and ZT Series – stop plate
Our safety gate sizes and corresponding clear opening widths allow for a 1” to 3” gap between the gate
and opposite handrail, however you may adjust this distance as needed with slight adjustments to the
mounting position. Please note that there is no adjustment available when mounting at 90˚ to the handrail.
Q: Can your safety gates be mounted at 90˚ to the handrail?
A: Yes, all safety gate models can be mounted at 90˚ to the handrail with
simple adjustment.
• A and XL Series – adjust the stop bolts to your desired position up to 90˚
• R, RX, Z and ZT Series – reverse the direction of the stop plate for a 90˚ mount
Q: Can your safety gates be mounted to a wall?
A: Yes, all safety gate models can be mounted to various wall types either in-line at the wall edge or at 90˚ to
the wall surface. If requested, the A and XL Series can be purchased without the mounting channels for a
wall mount. Please note that for some wall types, additional hardware, including anchors, is not provided.
Q: I’m not sure if I need galvanized or safety yellow powder coated safety gates. What
do you recommend?
A: Both the hot-dipped galvanizing and the powder coating finishes are of excellent quality.
The hot-dipped galvanizing process creates a corrosion resistance and protection that becomes part of
the metal. A scratch will be thoroughly protected by the zinc within the metal.
The powder coating process has a base layer of a baked-on zinc-rich epoxy followed by the yellow
baked-on powder coat; therefore, a scratch to the coating will not degrade the protection beneath.