General Design Guide

How do we design your automatic gate system?
The process begins with a visit to your property so that we can ascertain the individual circumstances and talk about the system you would like to have and how you wish it to operate.

Design Guide

It is helpful to look at this list before our surveyor calls, so that you have a good idea of some of the factors, which will be important in the design of your system. The majority of automatic systems are installed externally and therefore need to function reliably under all weather conditions and abuse. Systems can be fitted to existing gates or new gates. They can be visible or hidden, swing into or out of the property, slide to the side, work as one leaf or as a number of leaves.

What we need to consider when designing an electric gate system for your home:

• Your reason for purchase has major implications on how we design your system
• The logic and the operational cycle of the gate, together with associated mechanical and electronic systems are all major considerations
• Usage levels affect the type of operators and support structures that are best suited
• System overrides need to be thought about in terms of power failure and a manual override needs to be built-in
• Is wind resistance likely to affect the performance of the gates
• The immediate environment often influences the design in complimenting existing architecture
• The effect of ground water levels
• Building works such as piers, ducts, and driveway alterations may be required
• Electrical supply sometimes needs to be routed to an entrance for the first time.
• Audio communications or CCTV surveillance need to be considered at the outset.
• Additional lighting may be required
• Planning permission is sometimes required.
• All areas of consideration usually have a direct affect on each other and must, therefore, be viewed as an overall package to success. This doesn't mean all the works have to be carried out by one company, but careful and accurate co-ordination is necessary

Safety devices are always recommended to prevent the gates closing onto an obstruction

Health and Safety
For more about Health and Safety please our Health and Safety section.

Drawings
Gate-A-Mation's drawing services department produces a wide range of drawings for customer design, technical sales, planning approval, production, engineering and record purposes in various formats according to the requirements of each project.

Modifications
Most systems require modification to gates, piers, driveways, fencing or paths, etc. This is especially true when an existing item, such as a manual gate, is to be automated.

Modifications may not necessarily form a direct part of the automation package, but could be critical in ensuring the reliability or service that the system can offer. For example, the potential effect of local landscaping or driveway alterations for improved access.

Liaison
Site meetings involving other contractors, architects and builders are often necessary, usually requiring an appropriate amount of administration.

Liasing with various suppliers and other specialist contractors to ensure products or services are compatible with each other. On or off site testing may also be needed.

Dialogue between contractors, the customer, the local authority and others involved may be required, with details being recorded accordingly.

Special Administration
This service is often necessary with projects incorporating unusual contractual requirements such as Performance Bonds, Special Insurance Cover, Particular Health and Safety Restraints, High Security Cover and Unique PLC Programming Requirements etc. Overseas projects and installations involving research and development may well be included in this section.