Automatic Motorized Gates & Barrier Arms
Automatic Motorized Gates & Barrier Arms, Automated Gates | Motorized / Electric gates solutions
Automated gates are commonly used to provide access control to homes, guarded places like airports, parking lots, manufacturing sections, clearance, forwarding terminals etc…They offer two main security features; managing the security of areas and controlling the access; entry and exit.
Installations sample
The most common use of automatic gates in Kenya today is the control of the vehicle to sites. For example, barrier arms gates are common in airport entry, access is granted after security measures have been carried out. Most homes use automated swing gates and the Automatic Slide gates are common in commercial complexes and building installations.
In these infomercials, will the discuss the various aspects of automated gates; we have included links to further resources and some of the companies that deal in automatic gates installation in Kenya
Components of an automatic gate system; Automatic gates consist of two basic components:
1.Gate: The gate is the physical construct that provides a barrier. In Most cases, gates used are mandatory in a commercial building, complex real estates, and homes. Gates can be fabricated from either ornamental iron or chain-link material and are usually designed to match the fencing adjacent to where the gate is installed.
Motorized Gate Operator: The gate operator is the machinery that moves the gate in and out of the gate opening. Most Gate operators are motorized and electrically-powered and maybe chain-driven, gear-driven, or hydraulic depending on the type of operator.
The most common types of Automatic Gates in the Kenyan market
There are 3 main types of commonly used motorized automatic gates. These include the slide gate, , swing gate, bi-folding gate, and barrier arm gate.
Slide Gate
The slide gate is the most commonly used type of automatic motorized gate in Kenya for light-duty commercial applications and real estate complex. The gate is mounted parallel to the inside of the fence or walls and slides horizontally back and forth across the gate opening.
It has a tiny rail where rollers at the bottom of the gate roll and support the gate The rollers typically roll on a metal track that is on the ground across the gate opening. Slide gates are also called “rolling gates” or “V-track gates”
Cons
The rollers can be blocked by stone debris, mud, snow, these results to friction thus overworking the motor, Due to these issues, motors that operate the automatic open and close can have a shorter lifespan or be prone to occasional.
Swing Gate
Swing gates are hinged on a door, they swing open and close at a 90-degree arc between their open and closed positions. Swing has major applications in residential and real estate complex. They are preferred because of their low cost and ease of installation. The main downside of the motorized swing gate is they need additional safety to prevent people or vehicles from being hit or trapped by the moving gate.
Barrier Arm Gate
Barrier arm gates are most common in controlling and monitoring access to parking lots and manned security. They must have a vertical barrier arm that is rotated in and out at an angle as they open and close.
Automatic Gate Accessories
Access control systems can be integrated with the Automatic gates. Opening and closing can be through a variety of devices that run ids, Authenticate the user and grant access and send a the signal for the gate to open. Some of the access control Gadgets include; Fingerprint readers, card readers, vehicle tag readers, digital keypads, and a portable wireless transmitters/ Switch. In some commercial parking lots, one has to pay, then granted entry.
Factors and Considerations When Choosing an Automatic Gate
Gate Opening size and width, In general gates that have a smaller horizontal length, need smaller gates that large opening. The wider the gate the higher the cost of installation and due to the weight of a larger gate they tend to be problematic
Weight of gate: The overall weight of the will determine the type of motor/ gate operator that you will need. A lot of considerations have to be made when choosing the material of the gate.
Opening and Closing Speed: Different automated gates applications may need varied opening and closing speeds. Slow opening gates can be acceptable in commercial and residential applications, they are intolerable in high-volume industrial applications such as airports. Slow opening gates lead to traffic and user frustration and can led to other security violations and nagging.
Source of power for the motorized Automatic gate operator: light-duty motors in Kenya will work with standard 220/240 VAC or three-phase electrical power. When the gate is too heavy more power consumed and might overwork the motors leading to them having a shorter close and open cycle. Consideration for a power back up must be recognized whenever electricity is out.
Conclusion
In today’s world, installing the right type of automatic gate is a big decision that may save you lots of time and money. Unlike normally manned gates, Automatic gates can be expensive to install and maintain. Sometimes, purchasing a more expensive automated gate can be a huge money saver in the long run since you may find that the cost of maintenance.
If you are not sure what type of gate or gate operator to use, it is recommended that you retain the services of a professional engineer or independent security consultant to help you assess your needs and to select the correct product.
If you need help in selecting and specifying an automatic gate for your facility, or if you simply have questions, please contact us.
