On sloped ground, which side should gates swing toward if possible?

On sloped ground, which side should gates swing toward if possible?

• A. Downhill
• B. Uphill
• C. Center
• D. Left side

Answer: (A)

Gravity and safe operation of a swinging gate on uneven ground. On sloped terrain, having the gate swing toward the downhill side uses gravity to help keep it closed and to direct movement away from the uphill area. This makes the gate easier to control and reduces the chance of it opening unexpectedly toward someone on the uphill side or getting stuck against the high ground. If the gate swung uphill, the weight would tend to pull it toward the high side, making it harder to control, more prone to binding, and more likely to swing into the path of someone above.

Gravity and safe operation of a swinging gate on uneven ground. On sloped terrain, having the gate swing toward the downhill side uses gravity to help keep it closed and to direct movement away from the uphill area. This makes the gate easier to control and reduces the chance of it opening unexpectedly toward someone on the uphill side or getting stuck against the high ground. If the gate swung uphill, the weight would tend to pull it toward the high side, making it harder to control, more prone to binding, and more likely to swing into the path of someone above.