Fail release, or Fail secure?
How secure should an automatic gate system really be? Should it ultimately fail in a locked position, requiring some form of release device, or should it revert to manual use automatically, allowing almost unrestricted access?
This is a great question that has different responses dependent where and who is asked. Most people expect a gate system to lock closed, only allowing access to authorised persons and visitors upon legitimate request.
A number of people believe a closed gate will withstand forced access attempts and some expect even vehicular impact will be restrained. Unfortunately and as demonstrated in many Hollywood moves, vehicles driving through a closed gate, often get through, albeit damaged in some way.
Why and what can be done, is relevant to each installation and the overall investment made in it. Spend enough and most anything is probable, however the consequence must be understood as every action has its own reaction. Making an entrance highly secure, often makes it less safe, overly expensive or difficult to use, especially when it goes wrong or the power fails.
Most of the time, psychological deterrent with a gate being closed, regardless of how easy it is to use, becomes the greatest benefit. Even installations with free access and egress, offer a level of security, many customers appreciate. Traffic calming and protection of children, pets and even wildlife are common place and before any real increase in actual perimeter security is created.
Every installation is site specific and the needs of each owner vary accordingly. The type of installation, the users, visitors and by-standers, all have an effect on what should be recommended. Many systems are set up to provide different levels of security, at different times of day, or days of the week and weeks of the year. Flexibility in deign, mode and set-up, can be and are a real benefit to most.
System 'Reliability' and the 'Life Time Ownership Cost' of any system are two other important aspects of how successful an installation really is. Not to be confused with the installation cost, the ownership cost, is what is actually spent to keep the system working throughout its whole reliable life. In our opinion a lifespan that should cross decades, not simply a few years.
To achieve this every installation needs to be designed and installed to meet the needs of its owner, the users and any environmental challenges, both man-made as well as natural. When it is abused, how well does it cope, what is the cost of fixing it and how is access provided. The failure status becomes extremely important just when it is most relevant and any consequences must be catered for according to the needs of the site.
The more costly the locking method, the greater the repair bills often are and the higher the use or potential abuse upon the system, the greater the need for an effective solution becomes. Most often the cost of such a solution can determine the overall success of the installation.
'Fail Secure', or 'Fail Release' and when, are the key considerations we suggest all would-be owners agree upon as soon as possible. What if and How?
Numerous incidents involving damage to an entrance system go unnoticed until it is too late and an insurable claim from a third party, maybe lost, just when it could save further expense.
For more detail regarding the failure status of a powered gate system, please take a look at our design guide available linking to our web site, www.gate-a-mation.com
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