/ By Gateway Team / airport security • bank security • embassy security • military base security • perimeter security/ 0 Comments

Perimeter security for high-profile sites

gateway blog 103 high profile sitesAll forms of commercial and industrial premises can benefit from some type of access control or perimeter security equipment. However, there are some sites and buildings which are particularly in need of high-quality protection. Due to the nature of their work, sites such as embassies, airports, military bases and banks require advanced forms of protection beyond the norm. Here at Gateway Automation we have several products which can be more than useful in these types of environments.

One of the toughest security solutions that we provide is the GA80000 Automatic Rising Kerb. A formidable first line of defence against unwanted vehicle access, it is a strong visible deterrent with yellow and black warning stripes and tall stature to stop cars, vans and lorries.

We also offer anti-terrorism bollards and impressive crash-tested road blockers to deal with potential terrorist attacks aimed at disrupting UK infrastructure.

Barriers are an important way of controlling access to only authorised and scheduled visitors. We provide fully automatic barriers that can be controlled by push-buttons, tokens, proximity cards, pins, CCTV or by on-site security guards.

Swing gates, sliding gates and bi-folding gates are among the strongest barriers to unauthorised entry and a strong physical deterrent.

Gateway Automation can help businesses and organisations to protect their assets from serious crime with minimum disruption and while maintaining safe and comfortable working environments for clients, contractors, customers and other highly important individuals. For a free non-obligation quotation and feasibility survey please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255. Alternatively, download our brochure

/ By Gateway Team / bi-folding gates • gates • security gate • sliding gates • swing gates • swinging gates/ 0 Comments

Security gates – what options are available to you?

security gates what options are available to youWhen most people think of perimeter security, gates are the product that initially comes to mind – and for good reason. While gates are by no means the be all and end all of perimeter security, they do lay an important foundation. Here we look at a few of the options available to you if you are ready to increase the level of security at your site.

Swing gates

Swing gates are the most traditional form of gate that we offer. They provide a straight forward and no-nonsense perimeter block that protects against unwanted visitors. These are commonly used among schools, businesses and other private sites. In order for one of these gates to be installed there must be enough room for the gate to open and level ground so that the gate doesn’t catch on anything.

The GA9600 Automatic Swing Gate adheres to all national legislation and has a control panel that is hidden from view allowing for a professional appearance.

Sliding gates

If you are working with a restricted amount of space, then sliding gates might be the best option for you. When a full-arc can not be achieved, a sliding gate can be substituted to work within smaller confines as they open horizontally. This horizontal opening feature also makes them more resistant to ram-raid style attacks from vehicles.

We offer two key types of cantilever sliding gates in the GA9000 Automatic Sliding Gate and the 6A9000M Manual Sliding Gate.

Bi-folding gates

Bi-folding gates are commonly known as speed gates and can often be seen at sites where a fast entry and exit is a priority such as police stations and fire stations. They can also be necessary in sites where tailgating is a danger and the control of access to authorised personal is essential for security.

The GA9500 Bi-Folding Trackless Speed Gate opens at more than double the speed of a traditional type of swinging gate. They can also be fitted with extra features including spiked tops to prevent overhead entry and warning lights or sirens to warn vehicles and passers by of an impending entry or exit.

Ongoing support

Even if a gate is looked after incredibly well, there are still occasions, like with any purchase, that things can go wrong. Your gate or barrier may need fixing at some point in the future and its important that you aren’t left for too long with a broken security measure. That’s why we offer a nationwide reactive callout service with response times of 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days. We have local and reliable engineers that are based across the UK and Ireland to ensure the best and most proficient service.

To find out more about our gates as well as our servicing and repairs options, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

/ By Gateway Team / commercial property • empty property security • vacant properties • vacant property security/ 0 Comments

Secure your vacant commercial property before it’s too late

secure your vacant commercial property before its too lateAs the owner of a commercial property you are likely to find at some point that your property becomes vacant for a period of time. During this timeframe you need to be completely sure that the site is protected from external threats – of which there are many. Here are some of the top risks posed to businesses while a property is vacant and a few tips on how to neutralise those threats.

Urban exploration

Along with the rise of social media and video networking sites like YouTube has come a rise in the practice of urban exploration. This is where people visit abandoned or vacant sites and photograph them to share with other people. While much of this practice is innocent and hobbyists encourage each other to practice sensible exploration there are still dangers posed to the owners of those sites. Not only can those people risk their health and accidentally damage fixtures and fittings, but they can also attract unwanted attention from gangs and criminals looking to take advantage of those sites for their own purposes.

Vandalism

Another key risk to abandoned sites is that of vandalism. Whether perpetrated by skilled graffiti artists or mindless vandals – the end result remains the same – damaged property that the owner of the site will at some point have to pay to rectify. Unsecured commercial sites are key targets for vandals.

Squatting

With a rise in homelessness in recent years, squatting is once again back on the agenda of security concerns for owners of vacant commercial buildings. Many buildings across the UK have become shelter for groups of vulnerable people with nowhere else to go. However, this comes at a cost to the owners of these sites who must endure sometimes difficult legal processes to move them on and are left to pay for any damage they leave behind.

Arson

One of the most serious and severe dangers that owners of empty commercial buildings face is that of arson. Out of all the risks to a property this is perhaps the most devastating and can lead to huge damage and financial losses as a result. Without proper perimeter security there is nothing preventing an arsonist from choosing to target your property.

Fly tipping

Fly tipping is infuriating for land owners. Not only does it look unpleasant, but it can also cause harm to property and local wildlife. It also incurs heavy costs in both time and money to the owners of the property who are left to clean it up. An isolated and unsecured property is an easy target for rubbish dumpers who want to ensure they are not caught in the act.

What to do?

There are plenty of different methods for securing a vacant property from these types of threats. Strong perimeter security tools such as gates and barriers are however an important place to start.

No matter the size or nature of your businesses or site, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your security requirements. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.

/ By Gateway Team / flow control plates • heavy duty surface mounted flow plates • sunken flow plate • surface mounted flow plates/ 0 Comments

Flow control plates and how they can help your business

Simple, low-key and effective – they are just some words to describe flow control plates. Flow control plates are plates in or on the ground that can allow cars to pass over them one way, but not the other way.

Sounds easy enough to understand right? Well that’s because it is. Flow Control Plates are one of the simplest designs for security that you can buy on the market today with varying shapes, designs and colours to suit.

Sunken Flow Plate

Sunken Flow Plates are concreted in to the surface of the ground and are constructed from heavy steel which makes for a robust and stable product.

Its main purpose is to encourage mono-directional flow of traffic as well as preventing vehicles from travelling over it coming from the opposing direction. These flow control plates also have an inbuilt noise reduction barrier which prevents the nasty sound of crashing metal.

sunken flow plates 1                                                     sunken flow plates 2

Surface Mounted Flow Plates

Surface Mounted Flow Plates are mounted on top of a surface instead of being embedded. These are also suitable for controlling traffic flowing one way and not the other. They are most suited to sloped entry or exit roads and multi-storey car parks.

As they are bolted down to the existing road surfaces, they are a lot easier and faster to set up and install than the sunken models. In busy, crowded environments such as car parks they can be a key tool in preventing traffic from going in the wrong direction and causing an accident.

Product-Spec Sheet                                                     surface flow plates 2

Heavy Duty Surface Mounted Flow Plates

Heavy Duty Surface Mounted Flow Plates are the most robust of the three choices. They are simple, sleek and well-designed like the other choices, however they are also incredibly strong which means that they can withstand HGV traffic as well as regular vehicles.

Product-Spec Sheet                                                     heavy duty plates 2

Are you interested in finding out more? Gateway Automation provide a range of perimeter security and traffic management systems to help businesses across the UK. To find out more, please contact us or take a look at our brochure

/ By Gateway Team / catalytic converter • catalytic converter theft • perimeter security/ 0 Comments

Protecting businesses from catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converter theftA recent catalytic converter theft at a food distribution firm in Lincolnshire has highlighted the importance of perimeter security for businesses.

A theft of catalytic converters of 15 Mercedes delivery vans at a food distributor in Grimsby has had a damaging effect on their business. The food distribution firm suffered an organised and highly systematic raid on their business site in which catalytic converters from 15 of its vans were stolen.

The thieves used high power tools such as a battery-powered grinder to remove the converters from the vans. The theft resulted in the family-run business being unable to distribute their goods for a week and incurring serious financial costs in the tens of thousands to repair the damage done.

Thieves are attracted to catalytic converters found on vehicles due to the high prices that can be sought for the precious metals they contain – including rhodium, palladium and platinum which can be reused in jewellery, dentistry and even electronics.

Businesses such as the one in Grimsby are often targeted by professional gangs in the night due to their relative isolation in industrial estates – especially at night time. However, these types of crimes are far from unorganised and gangs will often scope out their targets in advance, so businesses which have strong perimeter security tools in place are less likely to fall prey to them.

Whether your business operates from commercial, industrial or retail premises, Gateway Automation provides a variety of security solutions and can provide you with a free, no obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your security requirements.

Gateway Automation provide a range of perimeter security systems to help businesses and individuals to secure their sites and also provides nationwide servicing and repairs to gates, barriers and other perimeter security equipment. To find out more, please contact us on 01522 68255 or download our free brochure