Christmas frost..
Not that we have had much this season so far, but Jack Frost can be a troublesome fellow. A lot of mechanical connections can be weakened by extreme temperature changes and we should be aware of this and its consequences.
The picture shows the top hinge of an otherwise secure gate, breaking free due to the missionary fracturing as the water defrosted and weakened any fixing. Regular or constant operation can accelerate this process, so all power operated gates should be inspected for deterioration of secure fixings on a regular bases.
Fortunately this incident did not cause injury, but it could have quite easily and as a maintainer of many installations, looking after our bit alone, the automation, without adequate consideration of the associated or attached items, could end us up in trouble.
Taking on other people's work, often means we take on more than we had bargained for and additional responsibility needs to be financed, or subsidized. With a competitive request, we find that it is more often important to say No, than it is to say Yes. It is however always necessary to explain why and do so in a way, the audience can understand.
"Easier said than done!" I hear you say, Yes far easier and sometimes simply impossible! But we should keep trying and the more of us that do, the better the message will be heard.
Guiding owners with best advice can be an up-hill-battle, even when it seems obvious to us and patience is needed. Seeing it from their point-of-view can be a good start and reminding them that it is not of our design, nor making, nor has it been serviced by us, may gain their attention.
Clear communications from the start of any new relationship with a factual installation report and suggested actions, is our preferred route forward, but this all takes time and time is money, so Is It Worth It must be assessed, as soon as possible.
What are all the options, What is the best? Repair, Modify, Upgrade or Replace and how much?
How long will and would it last?
Almost 30 years ago I made an embarrassing video, explaining something about Electric gates and Automated gate systems and most of the installations shown in the 1989 video are still operational. Good design with good service does work and becomes best value......
Chairman at Irish Fencing Services. Which he founded in 1973 interested in SME and Community development
8 年That is a totally inappropriate fixing clearly the gate could never have been CE marked but I don't believe it is required to be unless automated and I would guess this gate predates that requirement. I can't see how someone maintain or servicing a gate currently can answer for an installation he didn't do and prior to the regulation.
Managing Director @ Exclusive Distributor | New Business Development, Key Account Management
8 年Alan how old were the gates? And we're the gates CE marked? Because correct me if I'm wrong if the gates are not CE marked and the gates have automation on it . It then becomes the responsibility of the installer take over gates even though he didn't fit them, as he is covering the gates under the CE under the automation.
Director at Fensec Ltd - Fencing & Security
8 年Horrible & more common than not. Never do it, the hinges & fixing point should be linked with a steel structure, & galvanised too, so individual fixings can't fail letting the gate fall. Frost, or slight impact from a passing vehicle can help it along nicely & before you know it, or spot it, the gate can fall. Brickwork is not suitable as a support for horizontal loads as produced by an automated gate, mortar is not suitable glue either. A steel post set inside the pillar, a large angle on the back corner, or a free standing post is the safest answer.