I am often asked: Are automatic gates reliable? My answer is very simple: With the right system design, a suitable gate and the correct automatic components, fitted properly; yes they can be very reliable!
Why? was the reply. Well, they have to be! If a gate system does not work correctly, users are locked in or out of the property and their needs are immediate; they can not wait for a less than instant response, or solution, to their access problem.
Also site security and safety may be at risk together with numerous other problems that could accrue as a direct result of poor performance or failure.
Obvious examples are apparent as many sites rely on absolute system reliability. Police station access gates, hospital barriers, commercial properties with customer and staff access, leisure facilities, golf clubs, car parks, toll roads. The list is great and the need for reliability very important.
So why are some automatic gates not as reliable as they should be? The problem usually stems from a lack of investment. Poor installation is a concern as well as poor equipment, but more often it is poor or inexperienced advice given to the customer, whom is usually buying for the first time. Even if a customer has had a system, the chances are very high that the old experience from one system is unsuitable with another.
How can I ensure my system is reliable? The answer is not easy as all good salesmen sell their company very well, regardless of the firms’ ability to perform, or satisfy each customer’s unique requirements. Also the environment and type of user, as well as the location and any possible misuse of the system should be taken into account (school bus stop adjacent or a rowdy pub, etc).
Automatic gate installations are unique to each property and their design needs to reflect this, in balance with the customer and users needs. The environment, level of use, possible abuse (vehicles turning in the driveway, etc) together with numerous other details need to be correct when choosing the type of gate, controls and equipment to be installed. Finally, the unseen components such as cabling, ducting, fixings, etc are important along with the skill and delivery of the installation engineers and fabricators.
System support is the most important feature, as the installation investment may well be in jeopardy if the whole product is un-maintainable or parts not readily available.
Every day people use the same reliable systems over and over again!
