In the open position, the distance between a fixed object and the gate must be at least how many inches, unless entrapment protection is provided?

• A. More than 16 inches
• B. More than 12 inches
• C. More than 20 inches
• D. More than 8 inches

Answer: (A)

Open-position safety hinges on providing a plenty-wide clearance between the fixed object and the gate to prevent fingers or hands from being pinched as the gate moves. The established minimum clearance is more than 16 inches. This generous gap helps ensure that, even if a person stands close to the opening, there’s enough room to avoid entrapment as the gate travels.

If entrapment protection is actually provided—such as safety edges, presence sensors, or photoelectric devices—the requirement can be relaxed because the protection triggers a stop or reversal when contact or an obstruction is detected. The other options propose smaller clearances that don’t meet this safety margin, and they don’t reflect the standard open-position clearance unless entrapment protection is in place.