Is your Glass Gate Latch correctly shielded?

Clause 2.4.2.3 of the current Standard requires any gate latch release that is located less than 1500mm above finished ground level to be adequately shielded.  Shielding of the latch release must be evident within a 450mm radius of the gate latch.  This means there can be no gap between the gate and the adjacent panel that exceeds 10mm.  To further limit accessibility to the latch release for a glass pool gate it is to be located on the inside of the gate and is required to be located a minimum of 150mm below the top of the gate

There are a number of potential contributing factors to an excessive vertical gap within 450mm of the gate release mechanism.

• The gate and adjacent panel were installed with an excessive vertical gap
• The gate post is not plumb due to ground settlement
• There may not be continuous footings below the gate and pool barrier
• The gate could be installed on a corner where there is no supporting post or bracket 
• An excessive gap could contribute to unreliable gate closure
• Deflecting an end panel on a corner can contribute to an excessive vertical gap.
• Pressure applied to the end panel could enlarge the gap so it exceeds 10mm

There are a number of methods that could be used to reduce the gap however the better course of action is to avoid installing the gate on a corner.  Where the gate is away from the corner, adjustment of the positioning of the adjacent barrier panel to reduce the excessive gap may require the services of a licensed glazier to reduce the risk of damage during the adjustment.  In the last example below, the owner elected to retain the gate in its current position and install a post to provide additional support to the panel that could be deflected.