An automatic gate can control vehicular and pedestrian access to a commercial property for different times of the day to different people.
Where do you Start?
The first thing to consider is how many vehicles and pedestrians will be using the gate? how do you avoid congestion at peak times and insure the safety and security of everyone that is coming and going?
If the gate is being opened in the morning and closed at night with only a few vehicles using it after hours and the gate isn't too big then a gate operator rated for residential use maybe all that is needed see Swing Gates or Sliding Gates for more information.
For gates that are large a larger operator will be necessary. For gates that get a lot of use an operator with a higher duty will be necessary and more careful consideration of the placement of an intercom system and gate layout is necessary ie. whether to use a two way gate or a separate entry and exit gates. Also the safety, security and what happens if the power goes out must be considered. Also how will users and visitors to the property get in? is it necessity to lock the gate electrically?
Swing or Sliding?>
If a sliding gate appeals but perhaps a swing gate would be better. See Choosing a Swing or a Sliding Gate for more information.
Placement of an Intercom
An intercom should be placed away from other vehicles using the gate so if a visitor has stopped to use the intercom and an authorised user wishes to get in they don't get stuck behind the visitor if they may not be able to gain access.
Separate Entry and Exit Gates
To allow higher volumes of traffic to flow more smoothly a separate entry and exit gate is recommended, particularly if a proximity card system in use because the card reader is best located on the right hand side so users can reach it from their drivers window. If a 2 way gate is used, incoming vehicles will need to enter the outgoing lane to use the card reader.
It is also more desirable to have the outgoing gate opening outwards so vehicles won't have the gate opening towards them.
An in ground vehicle loop detector also works more effectively with a separate EXIT gate because then incoming vehicles are not detected.
Security and Safety Considerations
see Security and Safety Considerations page
Power Out Considerations
What happens if there is a power failure? Ideally the gate will continue working regardless, even with a lot of users, which is possible but generally quite expensive. The most cost effective system developed by Grant's Automation is a 24V continuously rated system that runs from a rechargable battery with a suitable charger so if there is a power failure the gate will continue to work. Because the battery is being cycled all the time this works reliably with no maintenance as opposed to a battery back up or UPS systems that require regular servicing and battery replacements.
If a gate is being used a lot and the power fails the battery may run flat quickly unless it either has a large enough capacity to cope, which can be expensive or the gate opens and stays open while the power is off then returns to normal operatioin once the power is restored.
Authorised Users Access Control
Users may have:
- a key card or fob (small keyring device) that when waved near a reader will open a front entery gate
- mega user remote control system can be used that allows each user with a remote control to open the gate
- mobile phone may be registered into the system and used to open the gate like a remote control
- a digital keypad can also be used where everyone can be issued a seperate pin number.
With all these systems If a card, fob, remote control or mobile phone is loss it can be taken out of the system to prevent anyone that finds it to open the gate and a new one added. This can be done seperately for each one. With digital keypad pin codes they also can be removed seperately and new one entered.
Visitors Access control and monitoring who's coming and going.
Visitors, delivery men and tradesmen require an intercom system. This may be a single call system for the receptionist or security guard or mutil call system to individual offices, businesses, manager or security. See Intercoms page for more information.
A Video Surveillance system at the gate is also very handy for users to screen visitors giving them the choice of whether to let a visitor know if they are available or not. A video surveillance system can also be combined with a 24 hour digital video recorder system to keep track of who is coming and going and capturing events such as someone driving into the gate or activities of vandals.
Does a Gate need an electric lock?
Sliding Gate operators lock the gate too so nothing further is needed.
Swing gate operators for Commercial Gates do need an electric lock because the likely hood that someone will be pushing on the gate to try and get in is very high. Magnetic clamps are recommended for Commercial Gates and are best used to lock a single gate to a receiving post. If you have a double swing gate then a magnetic lock is necessary to lock both gates to the ground, this does require a hard stop in the middle of the driveway.
You may also have a Small Side Pedestrian Gate and would like to tie this into the automatic gate operator system. A magnetic lock is also the best solution for electrically locking Pedestrian gates that get a lot of use because they will take a lot of abuse and continue to work.