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8 Ways Gates Can Benefit and Protect Your Business

8 Ways Gates Can Benefit and Protect Your Business

Living in a digital age, many businesses are focused on improving their online security, but it is important not to forget about your physical security.

Perimeter security and access control are critical to protecting your business from organised and opportune criminals. Strong security systems are required to prevent unauthorised access and to keep your assets and personnel safe.

The most effective security solution for your business should include a number of systems, and gates should be one of them. Read on to find out how gates can benefit and protect your business.

Physical deterrent

Gates and barriers are a strong deterrent against crime, physically preventing criminals from accessing your site and committing theft or causing damage to your property.

Visual deterrent

Not only do security gates act as a physical deterrent, making it harder for trespassers to enter your business premises, but they also act as a visual deterrent. If criminals see that your premises are well protected, they are less likely to attempt to break in.

Cost-effective

Having automatic gates means that there is less of a need for security personnel as access can be controlled by systems, therefore saving you money and resources.

Greater control

Features such as code locks, pin pads, intercom systems, cameras, and number plate recognition can be used in conjunction with gates to make it easier to control and monitor who accesses your site.

Privacy

As well as offering security, gates also offer privacy. This is essential for businesses that operate in sensitive areas or highly competitive fields. It also means that passers-by cannot get good visuals on the premises, making it difficult for criminals to plan an attack.

Return on investment

Perimeter security is an active investment in the future of your business. Gates can help to secure valuable inventory against theft and damage, saving you money in the long run as you will not need to invest in new stock and equipment to replace stolen or damaged goods.

Lower insurance

Investing in security gates can help to keep your insurance premiums down, as they enhance your security thus reducing the chances of a claim being made.

As the risk of someone illegally entering your property will be lower, the risk for your insurance company will be lower, which means they may offer you a better price.

Legal compliance

As well as offering physical security, gates help to ensure that you are complying with relevant legal requirements by protecting personnel and following health and safety standards.

Here at Gateway Automation, we offer a wide range of gates and barriers. All of our automated gates comply with BS/EN 12453, which is the current legislation that all automated gates must comply with.

For professional help and advice with effectively securing your business premises, get in touch with our team of experts at Gateway Automation on 01522 682255, or email info@gatewayautomation.co.uk.

With over 40 years of combined experience and expertise, Gateway Automation offers a value-for-money service with well-engineered and high-quality security systems and barriers, manufactured to your specific requirements.

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Sliding Gates vs Swinging Gates

sliding gates vs swinging gates

When it comes to perimeter defences, the first thing that will likely jump to mind is the image of a security gate, and rightly so. Security gates are often the first line of defence for many businesses when it comes to keeping intruders away, establishing a strong perimeter, and sending out a message to criminals.

However, when planning defences for a site, or considering upgrading your existing measures, it’s important to think carefully about your needs and your site capabilities. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular options of gates and how they compare.

Swinging Gates

Swinging Gates are an excellent option for many businesses. As the name suggests they swing open and shut in a wide arc. Often priced cheaper than sliding gates, they typically don’t include motors or electronics. Swinging gates don’t require concrete work or steel beams, they are low maintenance and make little noise during operation. This means that they are well-suited to isolated or rural sites, or large expansive sites where access to the grid is more limited.

If considering swinging gates as a solution for your site, you should think carefully about the available space on your premises. Swinging gates need enough space to open internally and externally in a wide arc and so might not be suitable for some sites where space is at a premium. They might also be less suited if you have particular needs for high-tech upgrades such as access control equipment or other electronic support.

Sliding Gates

If you are looking for gates at a site where space is less readily available then sliding gates may be a more sensible solution. Rather than opening and closing in an arc, sliding gates slide in and out along a track or trackless cantilever system, which both employ less of a footprint.

Sliding gates are often seen in more commercially-led settings, entrances, and residential driveways. They can be employed on rough ground and even on sloping ground if required. They are a good choice if you operate in a setting that has high-wind speeds and other unpredictable weather factors.

Unlike swing gates, sliding gates can be upgraded with access control equipment such as electronic keys, cards, fingerprint biometric readers and intercoms. These additions will always make a site more secure, however, they do come with added costs.

Get in touch

Arranging effective perimeter security is not something that you should go at alone. No matter the size or nature of your business, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organisation. 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.

 

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Should my business install Pedestrian gates?

Pedestrian Gate When it comes to security gates, a large degree of attention is typically given to vehicular gates and managing the traffic that arrives at a site. While this is very important and needs to be given full consideration, it would be unwise to neglect pedestrian traffic. Crime comes in many shapes and forms, and it is important for businesses in the modern environment to be able to maintain effective control over their entry and exit routes at all times, and avoid the presence of unwanted visitors who may seek to exploit vulnerabilities. However, not all businesses are the same, and while pedestrian gates may be suitable for some, there may be other situations where alternative forms of security are better suited. Let’s take a brief overview to discover more.

Managing pedestrian traffic

There are a variety of different tools at your disposal when it comes to managing pedestrian traffic. Turnstiles, and barriers can be used to prevent tailgating for instance. They can be fitted with access control enhancements such as tokens, pins, or fob systems, or manned by a physical security officer to check credentials and approve access. Elsewhere, access control equipment like intercom systems might be used with controllers able to grant or deny entry from a remote location. Pedestrian gates are another tool that can be added to your arsenal.

Pedestrian gates

Pedestrian gates can be deployed at your site at key entry and exit points to bolster your protection against crime, and manage visitation. Pedestrian gates can be operated manually with fittings for padlocks, or fitted with magnetic locks and self-closers for automated use. For safety, they should be fitted with self-monitoring safety edges and twin photocells as standard, and can also be enhanced with flashing beacons and sounder capabilities. Pedestrian gates allow you to effectively shut off access to unwanted visitors who might otherwise infiltrate your property, causing damage, stealing assets, or impacting your business in other negative ways. By installing a pedestrian gate, you prevent this from happening, protect your business, and also show your employees and clients that you care about their well-being. Pedestrian gates allow you to control exactly who is allowed to enter your site. Although a large degree of this consideration should be geared around preventing crime, it also allows you to prevent nuisance callers, cold callers, and other types of distracting visitation. Of course, it is important to think about the suitability of a pedestrian gate for your company. If your business operates in a customer-facing environment, that aims to be open, approachable and friendly then a pedestrian gate may look too authoritative. In which case a turnstile may be a more appropriate option. However, even in these types of settings, there may be occasions where a pedestrian gate can be properly utilised without negatively impacting on the aesthetic of your business. Such as using a pedestrian gate to lock off a warehouse area, stock storage area, or another part of your site that is highly sensitive or holds high-value goods. Equally, you might wish to use a pedestrian gate to limit access to a rear yard, or bicycle shed.

First Steps

The first step when it comes to deciding your perimeter security measures should be to seek a risk assessment from an experienced and professional company. This is a sure-fire way to know that you are getting the most value out of your investment, and protecting your business in the most efficient way you can. Gateway Automation is a nationwide manufacturer and installer of perimeter security systems and devices. We undertake civil and electrical site preparation and automate existing perimeter security devices and equipment throughout the UK. For a free, non-obligation quotation please contact us on 01522 682 255 or visit our website for further information: http://www.gatewayautomation.co.uk/.
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Benefits of Cantilever Gates

Cantilever Gate When it comes to perimeter security, what’s the first tool that pops into your head? For most people it will be the image of either strong security gates or of CCTV cameras mounted high above ground. While CCTV systems can be useful as an accessory to other forms of perimeter security, they aren’t without their drawbacks. CCTV systems can document a crime, but they don’t always prevent one from happening. A robust security gate on the other hand, is one of the best ways of creating a physical barrier to stop criminals in their tracks and prevent a quick getaway. Here at Gateway we offer a range of swing gates, sliding gates and bi-folding gates. Here we will look at cantilever sliding gates and why you might choose one for your business.

What is a cantilever gate?

Where swing gates and manual gates typically open through the middle, automatic sliding gates and cantilevers operate by moving the whole gate to the side of an entrance. The main difference between a standard sliding gate and a cantilever is the track system. Where sliding gates run across a track, a cantilever gate is supported by rollers.

Sending a message

Cantilever gates, and sliding gates are a very clever form of perimeter security. Not only do they send an immediate visual message to would-be intruders that you take security seriously, but they make the practicality of a break in difficult. These types of gates are harder to force open when compared with standard swing gates, and may deter opportunistic theft, especially when integrated as part of a wider perimeter security system.

Space savers

One of the key reasons to choose a cantilever gate is the space that it can save. If your entrance is limited by geographical or physical barriers – meaning a swing gate would not be practical – then a cantilever gate may be more suitable as they run horizontally, allowing you to fully utilise space that would otherwise be lost.

Weather proofing

The supported design of a cantilever gate means that weather conditions are less likely to impact on performance. Particularly during the colder months of the year, sliding gates may need to have ice and snow cleared from their tracks to maintain functionality.

Terrain suitability

Cantilever gates are also suited to a wider range of terrains and there are no problems caused by uneven or bumpy surfaces. This can be particularly useful for sites that are located in rural areas, or in industrial settings. Their supported design allows for this, and also means that they are able to operate on declines and elevations, and also adapt to wider entrances such as those used by heavy-duty vehicles.

Swift Access

In general, cantilever gates can be operated more quickly than traditional sliding gates. This can be particularly useful in settings where rapid access needs to be maintained: such as at hospitals and police stations. Gateway Automation is a nationwide manufacturer and installer of perimeter security systems and devices. We undertake civil and electrical site preparation and automate existing perimeter security devices and equipment throughout the UK. For a free, non-obligation quotation please contact us on 01522 682 255 or visit our website for further information: http://www.gatewayautomation.co.uk/.
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How sliding gates can be ideal for your business

Sliding Gates

Crime, particularly the opportunistic type, all comes down to psychology. Be it a broken lock, an unlocked window, or a lack of security lighting, there are a great many ways that criminals can be swayed into taking their chances on your property. However, they can be dissuaded just as easily, provided you’ve put time and thought into building a robust perimeter. And nothing sets the foundation for that as well as a strong security gate. One of the most popular forms of security gate is the sliding gate and we explain how sliding gates can be ideal for your business.

One excellent solution for businesses looking to secure their entry and exit points is a sliding gate. As the name suggests, sliding gates are wheel-mounted gates that move along a track at the opening of a driveway or the line of a site or property. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of sliding gates when compared with other forms.

Space Saving

Unlike swinging gates, sliding gates do not take up an arc of space, and run horizontally which can be ideal if you have specific obstacles or space limitations that need to be bypassed. They facilitate easy access for approved cars and vehicles who can be confident as to when it is safe for them to move forwards. They can also be a smart solution when entry points are positioned on hills or slopes where other forms of gates may drag against the ground unless opened the opposite way.

Variety of Materials

Swinging gates can be constructed using a variety of different materials. They might be made from iron, wood, steel, aluminium, or composite. However, here at Gateway, we opt for aluminium and steel materials which we find to be the strongest and most resilient options.

Secure

In the past, one of the concerns regarding cantilever sliding gates has been the safety of others. Without proper installation and forethought, gates have resulted in serious accidents. However, customers can be confident in the safety of their tools provided that they choose a Gate Safe provider like Gateway Automation. Gate Safe providers have undergone rigorous training to understand the importance of regular safety checks and proper installation provided by IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health). In addition to this, we fit our sliding gates with several safety devices as standard.

Can be upgraded to meet your needs

Every business is different and while our sliding gates are already built to the highest quality, there may be additional requirements that are important for your business. Our gates can be upgraded with a number of additional extras including razor wire, anti-climb spikes, electric fence, traffic lights, warning sirens, and more. Access can be customised and controlled through keypads, proximity cards, photocells, intercoms, tokens, key switches, and fobs.
Sliding Gates are used in a variety of different businesses across a broad scope of sectors, and provide a professional and practical method of securing entry points. However, your first step should be to discuss your needs with a reputable supplier. After undergoing a proper risk assessment you will be able to ascertain which type of gate is most suitable for your requirements.

Gateway Automation provides free, no-obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To assess your security requirements, please contact us here.