Most mezzanine safety gates are chosen by opening width. At some pallet drop zones, though, the deciding measurement is the space around the opening: a beam, duct, or low roof line above the edge, a narrow strip of deck behind it, or a platform height that can't change. A gate that fits the opening but not the space around it either won't install or won't open fully. This guide covers how to tell when clearance is your real constraint, what to measure, and how the Levelizer® E8 compares with the other Levelizer® gates.
How to Tell When Clearance Is the Constraint
Dual mezzanine safety gates open by swinging or articulating their gates upward, so a gate needs more height when it is open than when it is closed. The Levelizer® E7, for example, is listed at 43-1/4 in. tall closed and 80-3/16 in. tall open (60 in. model). Clearance is likely to be your limiting factor if any of these apply:
- Something sits directly above the drop zone, such as a structural beam, ductwork, piping, lighting, or the underside of a roof or another level.
- A larger dual-gate system was considered but could not be installed in the space.
- Raising or rebuilding the platform is not an option, so the gate has to work at the height you already have.
- There is little room on the deck side of the opening, because racking, conveyors, or work areas sit close to the edge.
These are the conditions the E8 was designed for. In DMS's words, it was purpose-built for facilities where overhead obstructions, ceiling height, or existing configurations limit available clearance.
Listed Gate Dimensions
The table below uses the dimensions published in the specification tables on each product page. Confirm them against the current spec sheet for your size before you finalize a layout.
| Gate | Standard opening | Overall width | Height closed | Height open | Depth closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levelizer® E8 | 60 in. standard model; custom sizes | 75.5 in. | 41 in. | 74-1/4 in. (outside gate); 71-1/2 in. (inside gate) | 6-5/16 in. (5 in. base) |
| Levelizer® E7 | 60 in. or 72 in.; custom sizes | 84 in. (60 in.); 96 in. (72 in.) | 43-1/4 in. (60 in.); 42-3/4 in. (72 in.) | 80-3/16 in. (60 in.); 86-1/8 in. (72 in.) | 11-1/2 in. |
| Levelizer® E35 | 60 in.; custom sizes | 74 in. | 43-1/16 in. | 74-7/8 in. | Not listed; contact DMS |
| Levelizer® E9 | 60 in. or 72 in.; custom sizes | Dimensions not yet published; contact DMS | |||
Two things stand out. The E8's listed open heights are lower than the E7's, and its closed depth of 6-5/16 in. is a little over half the E7's 11-1/2 in. That matches DMS's description of the E8 as having a smaller footprint than the E7. The gate's open height is only part of the picture, though. The forklift mast, the height of the load, and the approach to the edge all affect how much clearance a transfer needs, so send DMS your actual measurements rather than relying on this table alone.
How the Levelizer® E8 Works
The Levelizer® E8 is a patent-pending dual-gate system. Its features, as listed by DMS:
- A self-closing, articulating inner gate that provides full pallet access.
- An outer gate that keeps the leading edge protected while the inner gate is open.
- A base plate with a built-in toe kick.
- Dual up-and-down cargo flow, so loads can go onto or come off the mezzanine.
- Works at your current platform height, with no structural modifications needed, which is why DMS recommends it for retrofit projects where platform height must stay the same.
- Bolted or welded installation, custom sizes, and a stainless steel option.
Like the other Levelizer® gates, the E8 supports OSHA 1910.29 compliance. DMS lists its applications as mezzanines with limited overhead clearance, tight industrial layouts, facilities where larger dual-gate systems cannot be installed, and manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and food-processing facilities.
When Another Gate May Be the Better Fit
A tight site doesn't automatically mean the E8. Depending on which space is limited, another model may suit you better:
- Deck space is tight but overhead room is fine: the E7, E9, and E35 operate entirely within the gate envelope, so they don't take up usable deck or work-platform space. The E7 also comes in a stocked 72 in. clear opening.
- Empty pallets, lightweight loads, or irregular loads hang up the gate: the E9 adds a third-rail inner gate, a solid roller pack, and removable stainless steel strike panels. Its dimensions aren't published yet, so ask DMS whether it fits your clearance.
- Heavy-duty use: the E35 pairs the E3 mid-rail with dual self-closing top articulating arms for demanding environments and frequent pallet transfer.
- You want the simplest gate that can never be left open: the E3 uses the space between the forklift forks and the pallet load, so material is transferred without the operator opening or closing a gate. Its listed height is 42 in. above the base plate.
For a full side-by-side, see Which Mezzanine Safety Gate Do I Need?
Clearance Doesn't Change the OSHA Requirements
A low ceiling is sometimes the reason a site falls back on a chain or a removable rail. OSHA treats a mezzanine pallet drop zone as a hoist area. When loads aren't being transferred, the opening must be closed with a removable guardrail section, or with chains or gates that provide equivalent safety (1910.29(b)(10)). And 1910.28 requires workers to be protected whenever they are exposed to an open edge 4 feet or more above a lower level, including while a gate or chain is open for loading. With a chain, that means a harness or travel restraint for anyone near the edge during every transfer. A dual gate like the E8 goes beyond the minimum: the outer gate stays across the edge while the inner gate is open, so nobody is exposed during the transfer. See OSHA 1910.29 Requirements for Fall Protection and Guardrails for the details.
What to Measure Before You Request a Quote
These four details let DMS check fit before recommending a gate. They are also the optional gate questions on the quote form.
- Opening width: the clear width of the drop zone between the guardrails or posts on either side.
- Overhead clearance above the deck: the distance from the mezzanine deck up to the lowest obstruction above the gate location, such as a beam or duct.
- Forklift or lift used to load, and fork length: for example, a sit-down forklift with 48 in. forks.
- How loads come in: whether pallets are lifted from the floor, taken down from the mezzanine, or both, roughly how many loads a shift, and whether you handle empty, lightweight, or irregular pallets.
If something on the deck side limits space, such as racking or a conveyor near the edge, note how far it is from the opening. Photos of the opening and the space above it help too.
Next Steps
Pricing is quote-based, and DMS provides timelines for custom orders with the quote. Request a quote with your measurements, or browse all Levelizer® mezzanine safety gates.
