Roller Shutter Safety Edges in Newcastle & the North East – Do You Need One?
If you’ve got a roller shutter garage door, or an industrial door in Newcastle, Gosforth, or anywhere across the North East, you might have heard about safety edges. But what are they and do you really need one?
The simple answer: yes — if your shutter provides pedestrian or vehicle access, or if it can be run without plain line of sight to the operator, a safety edge is essential. Here’s why and the different options available.
What is a Safety Edge?
A safety edge is a device that tells your shutter motor to stop (and usually reverse slightly) when the door hits an obstruction. It’s there to prevent injuries, protect vehicles and stop costly damage to your property.
The 3 Main Types of Roller Shutter Safety Edge
1. Optical Safety Edge (Most Popular Today)
• Runs along the rubber seal at the bottom of the door.
• Works like a photocell: a light beam is sent across and if it’s broken, the motor stops.
• Pros: Reliable, less prone to water ingress, fully compliant with modern standards.
• Cons: Needs correct alignment and occasional maintenance.
2. Contact Safety Edge (Older Technology)
• Uses conductive strips inside the rubber. When compressed, they make a circuit that tells the motor to stop.
• Pros: Simple and cheap.
• Cons: Prone to water damage, wear and breakdown. Largely replaced by optical systems.
3. Wireless Safety Edge (Retrofit Solution)
• A game-changer from JMC Tech and others.
• Sends signals wirelessly to the control panel (DRS system) instead of being hard-wired.
• Pros: Flexible, no messy wiring, ideal for retrofitting on older doors.
• Cons: More expensive, needs reliable wireless pairing and battery maintenance.
Do You Really Need a Safety Edge?
Yes — and here’s why:
• If your shutter can be run from a remote control or key switch out of sight, then it poses a danger.
• Even “hold-to-run” switches aren’t safe unless they physically force the operator to stand in full view of the shutter while it moves.
• Wireless remotes are especially risky without a safety edge, because they allow operation without supervision.
On older installs, we often set shutters to “hold-to-run” as a compromise — but truth be told, they shouldn’t have been installed without safety edges in the first place.
Law vs Safety
There isn’t a single law that says “you must fit a safety edge” — but there are regulations that make it clear:
• PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and
• EN12453 standards
Both say powered doors must be safe to use. That means if your shutter can operate unsupervised, without safety features, you’re at risk of liability if an accident happens.
Why Trust Matters with Safety Edges
Plenty of locksmiths claim they can repair shutters, but very few actually set the remotes and controls up safely. That’s why we’re attending more and more shutter malfunctions across the North East — doors wired incorrectly, “hold-to-run” not set, or safety features bypassed.
A simple change to how your shutter is configured can save you money and downtime in the long run.
The Insurance Angle Most People Miss
Most customers don’t realise that standard locksmith insurance does not cover roller shutters.
• Installing, maintaining and repairing shutters requires separate specialist insurance.
• If your contractor doesn’t have it, you could be left footing the bill when something goes wrong.
Always ask to see proof of insurance before letting anyone touch your shutter.
DBS Checked Engineers Only
When you call someone to repair a shutter, you’re letting them see your property’s full security setup. If they’re not DBS-checked, you might be showing that information to the wrong people.
All our engineers are fully DBS-checked and vetted — so you know your security stays with the people you can trust.
Safety First
Roller shutters are brilliant for security, but only if they’re fitted and maintained properly. If your shutter can run without you seeing it, or if it doesn’t have a safety edge, then it isn’t as safe as it should be.
👉 If you’re anywhere in the North East and need a roller shutter safety edge fitted, repaired, or upgraded, call Newcastle Commercial and Residential Lockout Specialists – your local roller shutter engineers.
📞 07745 858649
Locked out in Newcastle city centre or nearby? Newcastle Commercial and Residential Lockout Specialists provide a rapid-response NE1 locksmith service. Covering Gosforth, Gateshead and beyond — we can usually reach you within 20 minutes, day or night.
