1. Safety
Safety has to come first, an existing manual gate is not always designed with automation in mind. Gates can more often be made safe but understanding the risks automatic gate can create and knowing how to mitigate them is an important part of a qualified gate installers role.
There are different ways to make an automatic gate safer. The gate could be repositioned to make it more mechanically safe, safety edges (rubber sensing strips) could be added to allow the gate to reverse if it hits someone. XGuards (laser scanner) can be installed to look for any obstacles ahead of the gate's movement ,so it can’t hit anyone.
2. Wind loading
This needs to be considered whenever the gate is full or partially boarded or is exposed to high winds. In these cases the gate operator should be selected to be strong enough to cope with the potential forces and the system designed to drive through the wind until closed instead of falling short.
These factors are taken in to account when we provide guidance on which operator is most suitable via the survey forms found here.
3. Activations
There are many ways to tell an automatic gate to open:
- Remote
- Keypad
- Intercom
- Vehicle Detector (Loop or Laser)
- Tag Reader
- Mobile App
- Number Plate Recognition
Any one of these or a combination can be used. The right solution will depend on how many users are coming through the gate, if they are expected by the gate owner or could turn up unannounced.
For more information on the activation options click here.
4. Security
An automatic gate isn’t considered as security on it’s own but they can be integrated into a security system to improve security even further. The encoder on FAAC operators reads the position of the gate. This can detect if the gate is forced open and then the gate control board can notify a home security system of a break in. Additional locking devices can be used to secure a gate.
Click here to view lock options.
5. Power cuts
What will you do if there is a power cut? All of our operators have a manual release so you can get out if there is a power cut. If this gate is the only method of entry then make sure your system has a method of unlocking from the outside. Underground swing gate operators have this as standard. Alternatively we offer non-locking operators and separate locks that can be made accessible from both sides of the gate. If you are using any FAAC 24v gate system the optional battery backup could be added to provide power during a power cut.
Click here to see the manual release on FAAC operators.
6. Access control
If you would like to choose when groups of people can have access, the PAL GSM range provides a very easy way of managing the gates users. Each user can be granted access via a free app or a secure keypad or tag reader could be added. Whichever method is used ,their access times can be managed remotely and the log of entries are recorded with their name, the date and time.
For more information on the PAL range click here.
7. Should you go hydraulic?
The hydraulic operators cost more initially but they last approximately four times longer. The answer depends on your budget and how many times the gates are used in a day. If they only open a few times a day then any operator will be able to last for years. If the gate is busy then a hydraulic system will be more cost effective over the long term.
8. Will the gate close automatically?
All FAAC control boards offer the choice of how the gate is controlled. The most popular option is to have the gate close after a timer. There is a lesser know method which will have the gate open for a timer but as soon as you have been detected passing through the gate it closes behind you. Other options give you the power to stop the gate at any point or to just send it open and send it closed on your remote.
9. Maintenance
It is recommended that automatic gates are maintained annually and possibly more frequently on busy sites. It is worth having an automation company that is familiar with your system, doing frequent checks on the safety and mechanical aspect of the gate. We have a device called Simply Connect that can allow both you and the automation company see live updates on any faults via a free app. Also with Simply Connect you can open your gate via a free app on your smart phone.
For more information on Simply Connect click here.
10. Power consumption
To reduce the power consumption there are energy saving options within the FAAC range. Our range of BUS devices consume less power compared to the standard wired equivalent. We also have a solar power kit that can be the power supply for 24v gate operators. This can be a cheaper option compared to running a mains power supply down a long driveway.
For more information on solar power click here.