10 things to take into consideration when automating swing gates
FAAC UK LTD
Gate Automation & Access Control | Electric Gates, Doors, Bollards and Barriers
1. Safety
Safety must always come first. An existing manual gate may not always be designed with automation in mind. Gates can often be retrofitted for safety, but understanding the risks that automatic gates can pose and knowing how to mitigate them is a crucial part of a qualified gate installer's role.
You can click here to get in touch with installers in your area.
There are various ways to enhance the safety of an automatic gate, including repositioning the gate for improved mechanical safety and adding safety edges (rubber sensing strips) to enable the gate to reverse if it encounters an obstacle. XGuards (laser scanners) can also be installed to detect obstacles ahead of the gate's movement, preventing collisions.
2. Wind loading
Wind loading considerations are essential when the gate is full or partially boarded or exposed to high winds. In such cases, the gate operator should be chosen to withstand potential forces, and the system should be designed to ensure the gate closes securely even in windy conditions.
These factors are taken into account when we offer guidance on the most suitable operator through our survey forms found here.
3. Activations
There are many ways to tell an automatic gate to open.
Any one of these or a combination can be used. The right solution will depend on how many users are coming through the gate if they are expected by the gate owner or could turn up unannounced.
For more information on the activation options click here.
4. Security
An automatic gate isn’t considered as security on it’s own but it can be integrated into a security system to improve security even further. The encoder on FAAC operators reads the position of the gate. This can detect if the gate is forced open and then the gate control board can notify a home security system of a break-in. Additional locking devices can be used to secure a gate.
Click here to view lock options.
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5. Power cuts
What will you do if there is a power cut? All of our operators have a manual release so you can get out if there is a power cut. If this gate is the only method of entry then make sure your system has a method of unlocking from the outside. Underground swing gate operators have this as a standard. Alternatively, we offer non-locking operators and separate locks that can be made accessible from both sides of the gate. If you are using any FAAC 24v gate system the optional battery backup could be added to provide power during a power cut.
Click here to see the manual release on FAAC operators
6. Access control
If you would like to choose when groups of people can have access, the PAL GSM range provides a very easy way of managing the gate users. Each user can be granted access via a free app or a secure keypad or tag reader could be added. Whatever method is used, their access times can be managed remotely and the log of entries is recorded with their name, the date and time.
For more information on the PAL range click here.
7. Should you go hydraulic?
The hydraulic operators cost more initially but they last approximately four times longer. The answer depends on your budget and how many times the gates are used daily. If they only open a few times a day any operator will be able to last for years. If the gate is busy then a hydraulic system will be more cost-effective over the long term.
8. Will the gate close automatically?
All FAAC control boards offer the choice of how the gate is controlled. The most popular option is to have the gate close after a timer. There is a lesser-known method which will have the gate open for a timer but as soon as you have been detected passing through the gate it closes behind you. Other options give you the power to stop the gate at any point or to just send it open and send it closed on your remote.
9. Maintenance
It is recommended that automatic gates be maintained annually and possibly more frequently on busy sites. It is worth having an automation company that is familiar with your system, and doing frequent checks on the safety and mechanical aspects of the gate. We have a device called Simply Connect that can allow both you and the automation company to see live updates on any faults via a free app. Also with Simply Connect you can open your gate via a free app on your smartphone.
For more information on Simply Connect click here.
10. Power consumption
To reduce the power consumption there are energy saving options within the FAAC range. Our range, of BUS devices consumes less power compared to the standard wired equivalent. We also have a solar power kit that can be the power supply for 24v gate operators. This can be a cheaper option compared to running a mains power supply down a long driveway.
For more information on solar power click here.