A collective of premier security gate system manufacturers and installers has just launched an excellent instructional web site for all end users looking to specify their perimeter protection systems. Brian Sims outlines the advice now on offer at www.guidetogates.com Photographs courtesy of BPT Security Systems (UK)

Whether you are looking for electric perimeter gate systems or other entry control solutions designed to satisfy commercial or industrial applications, the specification process can be something of a minefield. There are so many types of gates and bollards to choose from, all at different prices and with varying uses. How, then, do you select the right type of equipment for your company’s site(s)?

How do you begin the process of finding a reputable (and approved) installer that can offer a thorough site survey prior to carrying out their work to the very highest standards?

Fear not. Help is now at hand in the form of a dedicated web site recently launched by a collective of first class access control and perimeter protection system manufacturers and installers. Indeed, participation in the site (which can be located by pointing your web browser to www.guidetogates.com) is only open to those manufacturers who can provide the highest levels of expertise and customer service, and installers enjoying access to a wide range of the very best equipment the UK security industry has to offer.

The reasoning behind this web site is simple. The companies involved – including BPT Security Systems (UK) – want to raise standards in the gate automation industry, in turn helping end users avoid the age-old problems and hidden costs involved in having the wrong installer selling clients a sub-standard perimeter protection system that’s either unreliable or simply will not operate as intended. This is an eventuality that all end users need to avoid, given today’s penchant for increased competition and tighter margins which mean that all areas of cost saving and efficiency improvements must be considered.

Why perimeter control?

Automating your external access control regime may not seem like an obvious candidate for huge cost savings, but research carried out by the collective for this web site suggests that direct savings can be achieved pretty quickly depending on the end user’s present situation.

Improving your perimeter protection can lead to an immediate reduction in theft and vandalism which, in turn, realises reduced insurance premiums. Automating access can improve efficiencies, release manpower and reduce the time wasted on security officers having to manually open gates and barriers. Surely their time is better spent on other tasks in this day and age?!

There are many factors to consider when deciding on the right type of sliding gate, swing gate, bollard system or barrier. In terms of controlling access, of course, audio and video communications and control systems will identify callers before you let them in. Gates, bollards and barriers control traffic, personnel and/or visitors on site. A closed gate is often a great deterrent to opportunistic burglars or vandals, while well-located bollards can often prevent ramraiders and vehicle theft. The basic questions you need to ask yourself at the beginning of the specification and procurement process are as follows:

  • what is the level of security you require?
  • what is your primary reason for having a system?
  • what materials do you want the gate system made from?
  • do you have a view on the style and design which will work best?
  • how many cars need regular access to site, and how often?
  • is a gate the best option for you?
  • (if so) how will the gate system open?
  • who can use the system?
  • do you need automatic closing of the gates?
  • how do people leave site, and how many exits are there?
  • do you need records of authorised personnel entering and exiting?
  • do you want to speak to visitors before granting them access?

  • Sliding gates and swing gates

    As a general rule, sliding gate systems are more suited to larger, heavy duty applications where security is the overriding need. They do not encroach on the driveway/yard areas, and may be installed where space for a swing gate simply isn’t available. However, they will definitely require a straight, level and unobstructed ‘line of travel’. It’s also worth bearing in mind the fact that cantilever-type sliding gates should be at least 30% longer than the opening itself.

    There are special safety considerations needed with sliding gates which your professional installer will know all about. For example, if a sliding gate is installed next to railings there may be an inherent danger of children putting their arm(s) through the gate and the railing, which would then become trapped when the gate is operational. Again, your installer can advise on ways of preventing this from ever occurring.

    Swing gates are the most common solution for most end users in the commercial and industrial sectors as they tend to offer a particularly flexible, cost-effective solution to perimeter protection needs. As long as there is sufficient room on site, installations can range from the conversion of existing gates using surface-mounted or concealed operators through to a high duty, electromechanically-locked system with remote air-cooled pumps.

    Depending on the type of gate to be installed, a site survey would need to be undertaken to ascertain if the existing gate and/or support pillars are suitable. The web site suggests that all recommended installers on www.guidetogates.com will offer a No Obligation survey, so don’t panic! There is also a far wider choice of gate design available for this type of installation, allowing the client to choose a style that’s not only practical for the business but aesthetically pleasing as well.

    As is the case with all automatic gate systems, a range of accessories may be added to enhance the convenience of your chosen system, including automatic opening and/or closing, audio or video entry control systems, time and day restrictions on entry and log-in/log-out data records.

    Bollards: the specification details

    Bollards are most often deployed to prevent the unauthorised use of individual parking spaces, as a prevention to ramraiding or to combat vehicle theft. Their installation involves sinking the bollard unit(s) into the ground, with the raising or lowering of the unit(s) being controlled by the user’s access device.

    Common applications are wherever a gate or barrier cannot be used, for private parking bays or loading bays at distribution centres, at car dealerships and outside major shopping areas. Many councils are beginning to specify rising bollards as an effective method of restricting vehicular access to pedestrianised areas where it’s essential that members of the public aren’t placed at risk by unnecessary vehicle movement.

    Flexible, robust and unobtrusive, rising bollards create a high resistance barrier against vehicles to deter thieves and ramraiders, or may simply be used to prevent unauthorised entry. They can be deployed to secure the perimeter or entranceway to a site, protect a specific area or perhaps form a barrier in front of a retail outlet or showroom. Their size and flexibility means that they can be used on sites where space is limited, or where conventional gate systems cannot be installed.

    Barriers and entry control systems

    Generally used to control traffic through an entrance or exit rather than for unmanned security purposes, barriers require vehicles to stop such that access to site might be authorised either personally (by the use of a punch-in code) or by swipe card/proximity reader. Although not designed to prevent the determined trespasser, the presence of a physical barrier is often sufficient to deter opportunistic intruders.

    Remote and/or automatic operation, time and day restrictions and monitoring and data logging options may be included to create a tailor-made solution for any kind of project.

    Entry control systems are used to control access to all premises, allowing the building owners or occupiers to restrict and monitor movements on or off their site. There are two types of system available for specification: audio only or audio and video in combination. Callers will typically use a panel sited conveniently at the entrance to site, and are able to speak to a member of your Security Department who can then decide to grant access if appropriate.

    Some general considerations when choosing an entry system would include asking yourself some of the following questions:

    • what type of installation is it?
    • is it an audio or a video system that you really need?
    • how many monitors and/or handsets are you going to require?
    • if it’s a video-based system, is colour or mono the preferred option?
    • how many entrances are there, including vehicular access?
    • what’s the maximum number of handsets called from one button?
    • what’s the distance from the furthest entry
    • nel to the power supply unit?
    • what is the distance from the power supply unit to the furthest handset or monitor?

    Safety first at all times

    Safety is paramount at all times. There are various safety devices available that stop gates from hitting or crushing obstructions (all of which are most important when your gate system is in automatic mode).

    Photocells may be used. These produce a beam that covers a line between the gate posts. If the beam is broken, then the gates will Stop, Open or Reverse (depending on the way in which the system has been configured by your installer). Another common method is the use of ground loops. These loops act as a large metal detector underneath the road surface. When the loop detects a presence, it will also Stop, Open or Reverse the gate. The sensitivity of these systems may be adjusted, but they cannot be used to detect the presence of people or animals.

    In terms of sliding gates, www.guidetogates.com recommends the use of safety edges and that such gates be in-filled or meshed so as to prevent any obstructions being put through the gates.

    Planning permission is another important consideration. Always seek planning approval before proceeding with any installation. Just by adding a few inches to the height of your perimeter wall or bringing the company entrance way out by a foot or two can change your boundaries, affect the public highway or change the appearance of the site, which may need local council/local authority approval.

    • Source

    SMT