Security gates manage vehicle and pedestrian access at the perimeter. A door manages access to a building. A gate manages access to a site. For properties that focus primarily on keeping unauthorized vehicles and people off of the land, before they even approach the building, the distinction between a door and a gate is critical.
Gate Types
Sliding gates are Ideal for sites with limited access where unobstructed space in front of the opening or along the access way is not available. A swinging gate obstructs vehicles. Sliding gates move laterally, opening the access way by clearing space.
Swing gates are the largest access way gate. Once again, they swing through an access way, and if the access way is extended, a swing gate will impact the area. For properties with unencumbered swing clearance, swing gates work the best and look the most traditional. For a large access way, a pair of swing doors can be used to reduce overall weight.
Speed is of the essence in most commercial and high traffic sites. Bi-folding gates can be used to improve flow and avoid congestion during heavy use. Bi-folding gates require much less space than swing gates.
Cantilever sliding gates do not require a ground track. The gate hangs from an overhead post, so it does not need to come into contact with the ground to slide. For surfaces that cannot have a track laid, such as uneven ground, surfaces with heavy vehicle traffic, or ground that cannot be excavated, this system is ideal.
Comparison of Manual and Automated Gates
Manual gates work well at infrequently used entrances where there is someone available to open and close the gate. An infrequently used storage entrance with occasional visitors, for example, does not need automation.
Automated gates are ideal for any entrance that has constant use. For example, a staff entrance, delivery/service visits, customer entrance; manual operation is time consuming and burdensome to someone having to be there. The latter is true when considering the opening and closing of the gate.
Residential Security Gates
The most common use is driveway gates. They mark a property boundary, control vehicle access, and discourage casual entry. A closed gate ensures that someone has to cross the property before they even get close to the house.
Electric operation can be done via a remote, keypad, or video intercom. A remote is adequate for a gate that is used by the same people on a daily basis, while a keypad can be a good option for a gate that is used by people who visit daily but do not require a remote. Finally, a video intercom can be a good option for a gate where the resident wants to be able to identify and, in turn, grant or deny access to people visiting the property.
Domestic gates come in two primary materials, timber and metal, timber is generally used for period and rural properties, however metal, in the form of aluminum or steel, is used on more modern properties to provide longer lasting and more secure solutions. In terms of gate maintenance, metal gates require the least and are generally more durable than timber gates.
There is a requirement for planning permission for gates over a certain height. Gates over one meter in height adjacent to the road or over two meters in height elsewhere will generally require permission. In a conservation area or with a listed building, the local planning authority should be contacted for confirmation of requirements prior to gate order.
Commercial premises use gates to control access to staff, loading and car/delivery areas. Automatic traffic control systems open the gate and record the time and who has controlled access.
Above a certain level, the commercial gates will have built in readers or fobs which are allocated to drivers. This level of access control can be granted to individuals without affecting the access rights of the other employees. When employees leave, their access fob is deactivated without affecting the other employees.
Where interaction with the gate is required, like in an office or a hospital, a control panel with a two way audio communication is the preferred access solution.
Automatic number plate recognition is used to open gates at company entrances. Company vehicles registered for the service pass through unobstructed. All other vehicles are prompted to stop at an intercom to request entry. It can be quicker than using fobs on commercial entrances as stopping every vehicle becomes a real time sink.
Barrier arms are used to control the flow of vehicles at entrances where it’s more important to get vehicles through than slow them down with a potential barrier. If a vehicle so chooses, they can drive around a barrier. Instead, barrier arms control access for legitimately intended users.
Industrial Security Gates
Industrial sites require gates that can withstand heavy use, are large, and provide a serious degree of security. An entrance for HGVs requires a clearance height of at least five meters and a minimum width of six meters. Commercial gates do not cover those dimensions.
For industrial sites, heavy-duty sliding gates use industrial-rated motors and track systems. It is common for a gate to cycled 50+ times a day. Industrial commercial motors fail quickly on an industrial entrance and end up costing more to replace than purchasing a better motor from the beginning.
High-security perimeters are protected from attacks by vehicles by anti-ram barriers. A standard gate prohibits unauthorized vehicle access and unobstructed pedestrian access. This barrier is designed to slow down vehicles, but is significantly less effective against a vehicle driven deliberately into the barrier and significantly less effective than anti-ram barriers that are used in the Defense Industry and are designed to have a real impact on stopping vehicles.
Hiring additional security personnel may create additional visible control for who is coming and going on larger sites. For most other sites, this is not necessary.
Safety Requirements
Automated gate systems must comply with the Machinery Directive and any applicable British Standards. Safety photocells are installed in the gate’s path and stop movement when there is a break in the beam. pressure sensitive edges also detect contact and stop or reverse movement of the gate. Warning lights signal that the gate system is in motion.
Automated gate systems that strike people because safety systems were not installed or were not maintained create serious legal risk to the system owner. It is a legal requirement to document safety systems and keep records. Annual testing and safety system inspection is the accepted practice for commercial and industrial installations.
Emergency release systems allow gate systems to move under manual control in the event of a power outage. Both battery back up and emergency release systems should be provided on automated systems.
Determining the Correct Gate Requirements
The width of the opening, the type of vehicle, the required access cycle, and the means of access control are all variables required for a proper gate selection. Ground conditions are also important. Swing gates require solid hinge posts that are set into a substantial foundation. Cantilever gates also require a solid counter balance post. Improperly designed foundation systems cause problems down the road when gates start to rub on the posts and become unusable.