For the past 20 years, the American Fence Association has been working with industry leaders to raise awareness around gate safety, because we know that Safe Gates Save Lives!
A History of Gate Safety
Our collaborations, with partners like ASTM, CLFMI, DASMA, UL and NOMMA, have pioneered the process for incorporating gate safety standards into the fence industry. The development of UL325, in 1998, allowed for the safer use of electronic gate operators, which would eventually pave the way for higher safety standards in manual gates. The AFA has taught countless hours of education through AFA University, and the industry has certified many in gate design and automation.
Call to Action
A renewed sense of passion has developed in our leadership and our members, as we learned about the tragic death of 7- year-old, Alex Quanbeck, in 2019. Unfortunately, this tragedy is not an isolated incident. There have been several gate fatalities and injuries that have been caused by manual gates throughout the country. The most recent of these tragedies occurred in 2023, when a young girl was killed at her school.
With a new sense of urgency, and understanding, around these events, the AFA has spearheaded the way to create industry-wide action through our partnership with the Hummingbird Alliance. Together, with the rest of the fence industry, we are working to mutually reinforce the need for gate safety awareness and education with all stake holders. We are collaborating with other industry leaders, talking to manufacturers and installers, providing awareness to schools, code enforcement officials and AHJ’s, and offering training to any who are interested in learning these safety standards. All of us may live, work, or play near a gate, and it is important for us to work together to prevent these accidents from occurring.
Basic Facts: Here’s what the Alex Gate Safety Act means for gate installers:
What does this bill do?
The bill (S.1682) requires specific gates to meet established safety standards. These standards already exist, but right now they’re voluntary. This bill would tell the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to set the same safety requirements for everyone.
It also launches a national education campaign to help installers, inspectors, and the public understand:
- Why gate safety matters
- What are the standards
- How to design, install, and maintain gates to prevent injuries and deaths
Why this matters.
Unfortunately, there have been serious injuries and deaths from heavy gates falling, detaching, or closing unexpectedly. These tragedies are 100% preventable when gates are built, installed, and maintained correctly.
The bill isn’t creating new rules out of thin air, it’s just making existing safety standards legally enforceable, which means installers and manufacturers would have to follow them, not just use them as suggestions.
What it means for Installers.
If you're already following ASTM and UL standards, this won’t change much for you. You’re already ahead of the game. If you’re not, you will need to start following the gate standards in UL 325, ASTM F2200, F900 and F1184.
What myths are out there about this legislation?
Some say that this is government overreach or that it’s the start of a slippery slope of more regulation. Others think it’s being pushed by big manufacturers to squeeze out small businesses.
But here’s the reality:
- There’s no hidden agenda. This bill is focused strictly on safety.
- It’s about making sure basic precautions are in place to prevent avoidable tragedies.
- It aligns with industry best practices that responsible installers already use.
The Bottom Line
This bill is about protecting people from being hurt by unsafe gates. It uses existing safety standards and gives a clear, consistent set of rules to follow. If you're already installing gates safely, you're ahead of the game.
The legislation isn’t looking to punish—it’s aiming to prevent heartbreaking accidents with a simple fix.
Is this bill already the law?
No, this bill was just introduced in the U.S. Senate. It will go through several steps before being voted on by the full Congress and signed into law.
How does a bill, introduced in the Senate, become law?
First, it will head to the appropriate Senate Committee, if approved, it will make its way to the floor for potentially more debate and a vote. If it passes, it will go to the House of Representatives.
Here, the House can vote on it as it is or make their own changes. If they vote on it as is, then it passes and can go to the President to be signed into law. If they pass it, but change anything, the bill must go to a conference committee where members of both houses work toward a compromise bill.
Once a compromise bill is made, it is sent back to both houses again for a vote. At that point, if approved by both houses, it is sent to the President to be signed into law.
More questions? Reach out to our Director of Government Affairs, who would be happy to speak with you. Catherine@americanfenceassociation.com
Media
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 13, 2025
INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN FEDERAL GATE SAFETY LEGISLATION
Dallas, TX – The American Fence Association (AFA) is pleased to announce the introduction of the Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025. This bipartisan initiative aims at improving gate safety standards across the United States. U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the legislation, which seeks to prevent accidents caused by poorly designed, inadequately maintained, or faulty gates.
This legislation represents the culmination of months of dedicated effort by industry professionals and advocates. The bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to codify industry recognized ASTM gate standards and launch an awareness campaign to ensure gates meet modernized industry safety guidelines. The Act is named in memory of Alex Quanbeck, the seven-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after being crushed by a falling gate during recess at school. His death highlights the urgent need for updated standards to prevent similar incidents.
Senate Support for Gate Safety
“Simple and affordable safety mechanisms can prevent tragic accidents caused by poorly designed or maintained gates. We’ve seen the devastating impact of these preventable incidents, such as the tragic death of seven-year-old Alex Quanbeck, who was crushed by a falling gate, and the death of Esther Nakajjigo at Arches National Park,” said Senator Curtis. “By codifying industry standards, our Alex Gate Safety Act will save lives and prevent needless heartbreak.”
Industry and Advocacy Group Endorsements
Michael Reed, Executive Director of the American Fence Association, emphasized the industry’s collaboration on these efforts: "The American Fence Association has worked with industry partners on gate safety standards for over twenty years. The Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 reflects many of these life-saving standards. We thank Senator Curtis and Senator Klobuchar for introducing such important legislation, which will be to the benefit of all Americans.”
Ben Shirley, Chair of the ASTM F14 Committee on Fences, highlighted the importance of industry standards: "Comprised of industry leaders, ASTM committee F14 is dedicated to enhancing its standards. By integrating language from existing standards, we successfully revised our manual gate specifications to include guidelines that address safety concerns. What might seem like a minor wording change in a document can have a profound impact on the entire industry.”
Dave Monsour, Technical Director of the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), reflected on the legislative process: “We are excited to see this bipartisan effort advancing the important and overlooked priority of gate safety.”
Eric and Dayna Quanbeck, Alex’s parents and founders of The Hummingbird Alliance, shared their perspective: "The true tragedy in our son Alex's death is that it was preventable, and today we honor his memory by advancing bipartisan, commonsense legislation to protect Americans from falling gates like the one that collapsed on him. We are honored and proud to support Senator Curtis and Senator Klobuchar's bill to improve gate safety by implementing simple, inexpensive safety features to save countless lives."
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For further information, please contact:
Catherine Mills-Reynolds
Director, Government Relations and Industry Standards
Email: Catherine@americanfenceassociation.com
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 27, 2024
AMERICAN FENCE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN FEDERAL GATE SAFETY LEGISLATION
Dallas, TX – The American Fence Association (AFA) is pleased to announce the introduction of the Alex Gate Safety Act, a bipartisan federal initiative aimed at improving gate safety standards across the United States. U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and John Curtis (R-UT-03) introduced the legislation, which seeks to prevent accidents caused by poorly designed, inadequately maintained, or faulty gates.
This legislation, developed in collaboration with the Hummingbird Alliance, represents the culmination of months of dedicated effort by industry professionals and advocates. The bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish mandatory safety rules and launch an awareness campaign to ensure gates meet modernized industry safety standards.
The Act is named in memory of Alex Quanbeck, a seven-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after being crushed by a falling gate during recess at school. His death highlights the urgent need for updated standards to prevent similar incidents.
Congressional Support for Gate Safety
“The same gates designed to protect our children can pose serious, often overlooked risks,” said Representative Huffman. “Our community suffered an unimaginable loss when young Alex Quanbeck died in what could have been a preventable accident. A simple, cost-effective safety feature would have saved his life. This legislation addresses these hazards by implementing updated safety standards that protect all of us in schools, workplaces, homes, and public spaces.”
“Tragic incidents like the deaths of Alex Quanbeck and Esther Nakajjigo underscore the need for robust gate safety measures,” said Representative Curtis. “This bipartisan legislation incorporates straightforward, affordable mechanisms, such as fall stop posts, to prevent future tragedies. Partnering with Congressman Huffman and industry stakeholders, we are committed to enacting meaningful safety reforms that will save lives and spare families from needless heartbreak.”
Industry and Advocacy Group Endorsements
Michael Reed, Executive Director of the American Fence Association, emphasized the industry’s commitment:
“The AFA, in partnership with the Hummingbird Alliance, is proud to champion gate safety reforms. Alex Quanbeck’s story galvanized our community to act. Building on nearly two decades of automated gate safety standards, our industry is uniting once more to enhance safety measures. We are deeply grateful to Representatives Huffman and Curtis for their leadership on this life-saving legislation, which benefits all Americans.”
Eric and Dayna Quanbeck, Alex’s parents and founders of the Hummingbird Alliance, shared their perspective:
“No family should endure the loss of a loved one due to a preventable accident. This legislation ensures that simple, affordable safety measures are implemented to prevent tragedies like Alex’s. We commend Representatives Huffman and Curtis for advancing this commonsense, bipartisan effort to improve gate safety standards nationwide.”
Ben Shirley, Chair of the ASTM F14 Committee on Fences, highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“Our industry committed to reevaluating safety standards, and we successfully updated manual gate specifications to address critical safety concerns. What may seem like minor adjustments to technical language can have a profound impact, ensuring greater safety across the industry.”
Dave Monsour, Technical Director of the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), reflected on the legislative process:
“DASMA is honored to contribute to this essential initiative in collaboration with the Hummingbird Alliance. The proposed regulations represent a thoughtful, balanced approach developed with input from diverse industry professionals. These measures promise to significantly enhance gate safety for years to come.”
For further information, please contact:
Catherine Mills-Reynolds
Director, Government Relations and Industry Standards
Email: Catherine@americanfenceassociation.com
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: August 30, 2024
AMERICAN FENCE ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES ENACTMENT OF CRITICAL POOL GATE SAFETY LEGISLATION IN NEW YORK
[Dallas, TX"> – The American Fence Association (AFA), in collaboration with the New York Long Island Chapter, is proud to announce the signing of vital pool gate safety legislation by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The new law, S.7731/A.9888C, marks a significant step forward in improving pool safety across the state, ensuring that pool gates meet the highest industry standards.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “Education and proper safety standards are vital to keeping New York’s swimmers safe. The legislation signed today will go a long way in addressing these crucial issues.”
For the past year, AFA and the NYLI Chapter have been advocating for this legislation to address a persistent challenge faced by fence contractors, manufacturers, and distributors in New York. With the new law, contractors will now be able to install pool gate latches in accordance with ASTM standards, creating safer pool environments for all New Yorkers.
AFA Executive Director Michael Reed expressed his gratitude, saying, “On behalf of the American Fence Association, I want to thank our members in New York for their unwavering commitment to improving our industry. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing pool gate safety and advancing the highest standards within the fence industry. Special thanks also go to Assemblymember McDonald and State Senator Gallivan for their leadership and dedication in championing this essential legislation.”
Mike DeLorenzo, AFA Chapter President Committee Chair Elect and former NYLI Chapter President, added, “We deeply appreciate Governor Hochul’s support and the efforts of Assemblymember McDonald and State Senator Gallivan. Their willingness to understand the critical nature of this safety issue and the mechanics of pool gates has resulted in a significant victory for New York’s fence companies.”
State Senator Patrick Gallivan noted, “By updating these safety provisions, we are ensuring that first responders and bystanders can access swimming pool gates swiftly in emergencies. Aligning New York’s regulations with international standards will enhance pool safety and provide better protection for children. I commend the fencing and swimming pool industries for bringing this important issue to the legislature.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The signing of A.9888C into law is a significant step toward preventing drownings and increasing pool safety. This new law promotes the proper use of pool enclosures and improves access for first responders. I extend my thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this crucial measure into law.”
Contact:
Catherine Mills-Reynolds
Director, Government Relations and Industry Standards
Catherine@americanfenceassociation.com
Partner in Gate Safety
The AFA's major partner in gate safety is The Hummingbird Alliance. You can find out more about their organization below.
The Hummingbird Alliance is an organization making positive change by leading conversations and focusing education on school safety. Founded in memory of Alex Quanbeck, and dedicated to children everywhere.
The Hummingbird Alliance
