Not only are automatic gates practical and convenient, but they are also an effective way of protecting a property. Even though they generally require little maintenance, there are some things that you need to do to avoid serious injury.
Here are 6 ways to avoid being injured by your automatic gate:
Call Professionals for its Installation
Even though it may seem that installing an automatic gate is easy, you shouldn’t take the risk. Automatic gates require detailed installation processes. A tiny mistake in installation can lead to a big disaster later. That’s why it is recommended that you call a professional automatic gate company for the installation of your gate. They will make sure that your gate is properly installed, and it doesn’t create any dangers for you and your family.
Check the Distance Between the Gate and Gate Controls
This is an important thing to keep in mind during the installation of an automatic gate. It is recommended that you check the distance between the gate and the gate controls and make sure that the gate controls are not located next to your gate. This is because if the controls are too close to the gate, you risk physical injury while trying to open it. As a general rule of thumb, the controls of an automatic gate should be located at least 6-10 feet away from the gate so you can open it safely.
Install Warning Signs
Most automatic gates nowadays have sensors, but if you have an older model, then it may not have the sensors to detect the person standing in the path. If that is the case, then it is very important not to touch the gate when it is opening/closing. You should install warning signs to inform your guests to wait until the automatic gate is fully opened before passing through it.
Educate Children to Not Treat it as a Toy
Children are usually fascinated with things that can operate remotely on their call. So, they might want to play with the remote control to open or close the gate for fun. But this could be dangerous, so it is recommended that you educate them not to treat it as a toy.
Proper Maintenance
Just like most other machines, automatic gates consist of several components that require proper check and maintenance from time to time. This is the only way to make sure that the gate continues to operate without issues and is safe to use. So, you should regularly check to make sure that no component of the gate is worn out, the barriers are functioning regularly, and all the fixings are properly secured.
Adjust the Safety Settings According to the Situation
When the automatic gate is first installed, the gate installation company adjusts the safety features according to the current situation around the gate. This includes fencing, buildings, vegetation, and other security aspects. However, if the situation has changed, then it could mean that the automatic gate is no longer safe. To ensure safety, you will need to adjust the safety settings according to the new situation.
Automatic gates are surely a blessing for homeowners, but certain measures should be taken to ensure safety of anyone who passes through them. The above-mentioned tips will help you in this regard.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
All automatic gates feature certain type of sensors that open and close the doors when they are needed. There are many types of sensors that can make an automatic gate open. Their use depends on the specific requirements or design of the gate.
Here are 5 types of sensors that can make an automatic gate open:
Radar Movement Sensors
These sensors can detect individuals in a specified area. Because of this, radar movement sensors are suitable as opening activators for automatic gates. The advantages of these sensors include the ability to penetrate foreign materials like plaster, plastic, wood, etc., detection of goods and people, adjustable sensitivity, and the ability to detect the direction of movement. One major disadvantage of these sensors is that they cannot detect stationary objects.
Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors are one of the first sensors that were used to open automatic gates. These sensors detect changes in the pressure/weight on a specific area of the ground (control mat) in front and back of the gates. When the trigger limit for weight is increased, the doors are opened. The biggest advantage of pressure sensors is that they keep the door open as long as the person stands/walks near the doors. Not only does this prevent the doors from ‘closing in’ on a person, but it also makes it easy for swift entry/exit.
Optical Sensors or Motion Detectors
Most automatic gates nowadays use optical sensors or motion detectors, which are installed on the sides of the gate to trigger its opening and closing. As the name suggests, these sensors detect motion in front of the door. An antenna is installed on the gate header pointing in the outward and downward direction. This antenna produces a microwave beam that detects motion. Optical sensors are highly effective however they have one major disadvantage; they are only designed to detect motion. So, if a person is standing still, the sensors might not open the gate.
Passive Infrared Movement Sensors
Once they are installed, passive infrared movement sensors store the infrared image they detect in a given range for which they are set. The sensor creates a distinct signal when the thermal image changes. These sensors are quite reliable when it comes to making an automatic gate open. They are compact in design, have precise detection ranges, and they can be set very accurately.
Active Infrared Sensors
Active infrared sensors consist of at least two receiver chips and a transmitter. The receiver chips feature high-performance optics. The receiver can recognize whether the infrared light emitted from the transmitter is reflected by an object or individual inside/outside the scanning zone. These sensors are well suited for use as protection against cutting or crushing edges in swing doors, sliding doors, and revolving doors.
Note that although the sensors mentioned above work efficiently by themselves, they are often used in various combinations to make an automatic gate open while preventing oversight or hiccups.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
An automatic gate is a fine addition to any property. Offering a range of advantages, from increasing property value to enhancing your home security, there are plenty of reasons to invest in a new automatic gate system.
However, choosing the right system can sometimes be challenging! There are many things to consider when buying a new automatic gate, with one of the most important being the type of gate being installed.
There are two very popular choices in this regard – swing gates and sliding gates. The opening mechanisms are different on each one, so both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore, you need to consider these 3 things to help you decide which option is best for you:
Cost
Given the overall cost of having a new automatic gate installed, it’s natural to consider the price of each type of gate to help decide what one you choose. For those on a tighter budget, a swing gate is usually the cheaper option of the two, making it the better option for anyone looking to keep costs low.
Even though both gate types can be the same shape and size, sliding gates require a more complex opening mechanism and extra parts installed. For example, a swing gate consists of the motor and a couple of hinges mounted to a post or wall, while a sliding gate needs a motor, slide track, and rollers.
Space
Many people getting a new gate installed are working with limited space in their driveway, in which case a sliding gate may be a more suitable option. This is because sliding gates need less space to operate.
For instance, swing gates require a lot of space between the gate and the car to ensure the gate doesn’t hit any vehicle as it opens, so there must be enough room for the gate to completely open, along with space for the vehicle to wait while this happens.
This means you need to think about the width of the driveway and the available space in front and behind where it’s being installed. If space is tight, go for a sliding option, while wide driveways can benefit from double swing gates because these don’t need as much clearing to open as a single swing gate.
Maintenance
If you don’t want to worry about gate maintenance, then a swing gate is probably the best option. It has very low maintenance compared to a sliding gate, which needs tracks to be constantly cleared, with even the smallest debris causing jamming issues along the track.
Long term maintenance is generally easier on a swing gate too. There are fewer parts in the opening mechanism as it is more basic than those used on sliding gates, meaning less chance of parts breaking down and needed repaired or replaced.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
If you live in a community that belongs to a homeowners association (HOA) there certain rules that must be followed, including various fees that go towards the various types of maintenance needed throughout the community, helping to keep things looking good and working to full capacity.
In the case of a gated community, automatic gate servicing is often included in the HOA fees. While this may seem like an unnecessary expensive, regular servicing of an automatic gate is very worthwhile for many reasons.
Here are 4 reasons why automatic gate service should be a regular part of HOA maintenance:
Help Keep the Gate Well Maintained
Servicing is an important part of automatic gate maintenance. It’s recommended that a gate is serviced at least once a year, giving a technician the chance to check to see everything is working and that no issues are developing.
If a community uses the gate frequently, such as with a gated community, then it makes sense for the HOA maintenance fees to cover the servicing, as the gate is being used multiple times per day so it will need more regular servicing to keep it in good condition.
Make Sure the Gate is Working Safely
Regular gate servicing is needed to check all safety features on the gate are functioning properly. Avoid getting it serviced and the gate could be a potential safely hazard to residences, so its servicing should be frequent and covered by HOA maintenance fees to ensure the safety of all residents.
The Gate Will Last Longer
With regular maintenance, an automatic gate can last for up to 20 years or even longer. As servicing is a core part of good gate maintenance, if a community is covering the costs in their HOA fees than they can expect their gate or gates to last for much longer.
Should servicing not be included with HOA maintenance, there’s a good chance it doesn’t get serviced as often as it should, increasing the chances of problems occurring that shorten its lifespan.
So, HOA fees may end up saving more money in the long term, as a replacement gate or getting extensive repairs is much costlier than just a regular gate servicing!
Gate Aesthetics
Now, gate servicing doesn’t involve a deep clean with a pressure washer but there are parts that will be cleaned, lubricated, and unclogged. This all helps to maintain the gate’s functions but also its appearance, helping to slow down things like rusting and generally keeping the appearance of the gate in good shape.
HOAs tend to focus on the appearance of the community and keeping it to a high standard. The gate is often the front door for many of these communities, so keeping it in good shape with regular servicing is certainly worthwhile for most HOAs.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Automatic gates offer a stylish and secure entranceway to any property. It’s also very convenient, automatically opening while the driver waits, saving the time and effort needed to manually open and close the gate.
Of course, an automatic gate is situated outside so it faces all kinds of elements. It’s also being used every day, so the mechanisms and motors are susceptible to wear and tear, meaning an automatic gate often suffers from operating problems that may require professional repairs.
When it comes to getting repairs, you always want the job to be done as quickly as possible, so it helps to have some information ready before you call for repairs. This will help the repair company identify the problem you’re having and make it easier to get a quick solution.
Be sure to have these 4 pieces of info ready before calling for an automatic gate repair:
What the Problem Is
It seems obvious but you should always have information on what the problem is with the gate. For instance, is it not opening or closing? Does the gate stop halfway as it opens? Is it making strange noises or producing an odd smell? Is the remote controller not working?
There could be any number of reasons that your gate isn’t working properly and the repair company will know what to look out for. So, by giving them a quick rundown of the problem you are facing they can identify the cause and how to fix it.
Gate Type
There are various types of automatic gates and some problems are exclusive to each type. Therefore, you want to have the information on what type of gate you have installed so that the repair company knows exactly what they are dealing with.
For example, problems with an automatic sliding gate often relates to the gate track. It could be a problem specific to sliding gates, such as clogged gate track, or more general automatic gate problem such a faulty motor.
Always identify the type of gate you have, such as a swing gate, sliding gate, telescopic gate, or bi-folding gate. This makes troubleshooting quicker and easier for the person on the phone!
Motor Type
You should also have information on what type of motor your gate uses, as different motors have different issues. For example, underground gate motors often get flooded due to poor drainage and/or clogging, which may cause the motor to fail.
There could be any number of electrical or mechanical issues with an automatic gate motor, so it helps to know what type you have so that the repair technician can determine what the cause of the problem might be.
Gate Location
The location of the gate may be at the root of the problem it is having, which is why it helps to have some quick info on where the gate is on your property. For instance, if an automatic gate is located on a slope the motor is under more strain than a gate on level ground, so this could be the cause of the problem.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
