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The primary purpose of speed ramps (also known as speed bumps, humps and ‘sleeping policeman’) is to restrict the speed of vehicles. This in turn adds a level of control to the area in which they are being used.

The aim of reducing vehicle speed is to improve public safety and therefore reduce the number of both pedestrian and vehicle accidents in the area. Speeds ramps have become more common in car parks and on roads because they effectively encourage traffic to move slowly.

One of the earliest examples of speed ramps was implemented in 1906, where the height of a pedestrian road crossing was raised by 5 inches above the road level in Chatham, New Jersey. After basic design work by notable physicist Arthur Holly Compton was completed in 1953, vehicle behaviour for bump geometrics was conducted by the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory who published their findings in 1973. At this time the study was completed with private roads in mind but the benefits of use on public roads was quickly realised.

Today, different designs of speed ramps are used to restrict the speed of vehicles depending on the area in which they are being implemented.

At Gateway Automation we manufacture our speed ramps out of heavy duty recycled PVC and they are available in two different heights – 50mm or 75mm. The different heights are used to dictate the amount of speed reduction. Using our 50mm high speed ramp will reduce a vehicle’s speed to 15-20 mph, whereas the 75mm high speed ramp will encourage speeds of just 5-10 mph. With their yellow markings and contrasting black sections, our speed ramps are designed to provide an early visual warning and are used to calm the traffic in a public area.

These products can be fixed to tarmac or concrete surfaces and come with embedded cats-eyes as standard. Their interlocking system allows you to place multiple 500mm wide ramp sections together to create a speed ramp to your desired width. The textured surface of the speed ramps also prevents slippage when stood on and the 75mm high version features a centre cable tunnel.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Preventing unwanted vehicle access
• Controlling pedestrian traffic

Protecting staff and your property should be a key concern for all businesses, whether small, medium or large, and therefore it is important to consider security measures. If your business premises are currently only secured with locks and keys for the doors, it is likely that your doors are not secure throughout the working day. This common scenario increases the chance of an opportunist robbery.

To control premises security more effectively, access control equipment can protect both your buildings and your assets. There are a wide variety of access security systems available, for example push button access controls, biometric fingerprint readers, keypads and proximity devices. Each system provides a different level of security and additions can be easily made in the future to meet your business requirements.

Biometric fingerprint readers are arguably one of the most secure access control systems available. This is largely because the person requesting access has to present their finger-tip to be authorised. The biometric fingerprint system dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorised access because it removes the need to memorise a password and eliminates the chance of theft or loss of access cards/fobs.

Proximity Cards are commonly used in universities, colleges and car parks. They are used in the same way as contact smart cards but can increase the level of speed and convenience of use because they are contactless. These cards are becoming increasingly popular for both physical and logical access control applications. Logical access controls are used in IT to grant access to users and physical access control equipment would typically involve a mechanical lock and key system.

At Gateway Automation Ltd, we have looked at how to further strengthen our range of high quality, low cost equipment with access control equipment. We have developed a range of access control equipment to suit ranging from key pads and push buttons to video intercoms and fingerprint recognition systems.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Crime against business premises

Installing an automatic rising bollard, kerb or road blocker provides an effective solution for preventing unwanted vehicle access. These vehicle security measures can be used in both manned and unmanned vehicle access points and are an effective deterrent against the most determined intruder. There is a choice of vehicle prevention systems available, depending on the level of security required.

During your decision process, it is important to consider the kind of vehicles that might require access to your site as this will predetermine the type and the size of the automatic obstacle needed.

Automatic BollardsBollards are a simple but effective solution for dealing with lower security risks. Our GA7276H automatic bollards have been built for optimum performance and intensively tested to ensure reliability for over 3000 movements per day. In the event of an emergency or power failure they can be lowered manually and 4 bollards can be operated simultaneously by a CDS dedicated control unit. Additional features include LED lights as a visual alert, built-in audible warning signal and an obstacle detection censor which stops the bollard being raised if an object is detected above.

Rising KerbAutomatic rising kerbs are built for strength and reliability. Manufactured from welded rectangular hollow section frame and chequered top plate, our GA8000 Automatic Rising Kerb is available in widths of 2.0 to 5.0 metres and three heights to suit cars, vans and HGVs. For the smooth raising and lowering of this rising kerb an advanced hydraulic power pack is used and is programmable through a state of the art logic controller. Using this technology ensures minimal maintenance and a reliable longevity.

Road BlockerIf your site requires a higher level of security because of the threat of potential terrorist attacks you should consider installing a road blocker. Choosing a road blocker which has been successfully crash tested is a vital consideration when selecting a product. Our GA10000 Shallow-Mounted Road Blocker received a 100% pass rate and a “0” penetration when tested at Mira (Motor Industry Research Association) and was still functioning after impact. When fully raised, the height of this road blocker is a formidable 1050mm which is operated by a hydraulic 7.5kw power pack and the controls are designed to accommodate all types of access control.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Related articles:

• Choosing gate security for your premises
• Crime against business premises

Regulating and controlling foot flow through entrance and exit points can be managed by a turnstile system. This effective pedestrian-managed solution also cuts down on the need for manned monitoring.

So which turnstile system would be suitable for your site? There is a choice of systems available, depending on the level of security required. Here we give you an overview of our turnstile range and the application suited.

Full height turnstiles
Full height turnstiles can be fitted into a perimeter security system, which can be effective for creating staff checkpoints as well as managing pedestrian traffic. Suited for external use, full height turnstiles are used within industrial and commercial properties, and can also be found at amusements and sporting facilities.

Half height turnstiles
Half height turnstiles, also known as waist-height turnstiles, are an effective solution for controlling pedestrian traffic in public areas. Turnstiles can be configured to work with limited space to guide visitors or employees in the correct direction, in addition to protecting secured areas.

Half height turnstiles are an ideal solution for offices, libraries and leisure facilities, and can be controlled using a range of methods incorporating existing access controlled areas, as well as monitoring staff and visitor movements.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Related articles:

• Choosing gate security for your premises
• Crime against business premises

Internal communication systems can go a long way to helping your business or home more secure. The type which suits your needs best depends on whether you need to admit visitors regularly or if it’s simply a closed site.

Anyone can walk into your property if you have an open door policy, the risks of which could pose a direct threat to your home or business, with you being unaware of who is in your building at any time. To prevent this, many companies or home owners choose to fit door security. Using an intercom system will manage who you give access to, enabling you to be aware of who is on your property at any time.

There are different models of intercoms out there; audio intercoms and video intercoms are generally the models that are more popular and effective.

Intercoms don’t just improve security, they can also be used around the property to communicate. Another benefit of intercom is that there is no need for a receptionist to be at front of house at all times.

By increasing the security of your property potential insurance costs could also be improved by taking into account the lengths you have gone to protect your business or home, and acknowledgement of precautions being taken to prevent the targeting of any property and equipment. View our intercom systems here.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Related articles:

• Risk assessing your premises
• Crime against business premises

Sunken flow plates are a cost-effective method designed to manage mono-directional flow of traffic, encouraging one-way flow of vehicles and the prevention of vehicles entering if travelling from the opposing direction.

This simple yet effective system of vehicle management allows an alternative method of traffic control without the need for on-site management. Sunken flow plates are ideal for car parks, goods-loading yards, bus lanes, one-way directional traffic and the prevention of residential areas being used as rat-runs for non-residential traffic.

The steel construction is activated by the vehicle, working on a pivot which self-returns to its original upright position. The box section is embedded into the ground, whilst the gravity operated rising plate allows a vehicle to pass over in one direction only – as soon as the vehicle has cleared the box, gravity ensures the immediate return of the restrictor plate to the raised position again.

Gateway flow plates have built-in noise reduction buffers to ensure quiet operation, preventing the metal crashing back into position.

Surface flow plates are available in two formats: sunken flow plate which is built into the road, and surface flow plate which are bolted to the road surface so no excavation is required.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us

Related articles:

• Risk assessing your premises
• Crime against business premises

Crime threatens all kinds of premises, whether it be business or residential, with criminals finding ever more sophisticated methods of breaking and entering.

An integrated approach to the security of your premises is essential these days, so a risk assessment will help you identify any potential threats you could be victim to and the likelihood. With this in mind its always advisable to identify your premise’s vulnerabilities and the potential impact of exploitation.

Consider what your current security measures are like, and whether there are processes in place to support protection of not only the premises but any employees or residents within the property. If you need to introduce additional security measures then make it more cost effective by planning wherever possible: introduce new equipment in conjunction with building work, in multi occupancy buildings, such as shopping centres or business parks, try to agree communal security arrangements.

Look at the access areas of your premises, make sure that they are adequately lit and secured, and where necessary install CCTV. Protect windows and doors with strong locks, or look at shutters or grills can be installed. For any communal parking areas look at fitting security gates or barriers, they can provide an extra layer of security in order to prevent illegal entry to business or residential premises.

Crimes are constantly changing with criminals finding more sophisticated methods of breaking into premises, so ensure that your security methods remain up to the challenge and carry out regular audits around the property.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us

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• Choosing a security gate for your premises
• Crime against business premises

The methods we use to keep our premises safe and secure are limitless. Door locks and alarms may not be as effective as we want them to be any more, so alternative methods are now being used to ensure we stay protected.

Security gates can suit commercial, public or private premises, enhancing the security of property by adding a physical barrier without ruining the surrounding aesthetics. For example, living or working in remote areas can cause us to be anxious, however a security gate is a great solution for controlling who is able to come and go.

Most break-ins are the work of opportunists so knowing that your premises are secure and that you take property security seriously can go a long way to deterring most. Security gates don’t just keep intruders out, they can also work to keeping children or pets in, for example.

Here are some of the options available:

Swing gates

Whilst the most simple form of gate security, swing gates are also the ones that have been around the longest. The requirements for installing a swing gate require enough room and free space to facilitate the arc sweep of the gate, as well as level ground so that the gate won’t catch. See our range of swing gates.

Sliding gates

These are more space efficient and can cover larger openings or entrances. More secure than swing gates, sliding gates retain a rigid structure and therefore more difficult to force open or be breached by vehicle impact. See our range of sliding gates.

Bi-folding gates

Also known as speed gates, bi-folding gates can open and close in less time compared with swing or sliding gates. Similar to the sliding gates, the bi-folding gates take up less space and are ideal for high levels of traffic where it’s important that the gate closes after each vehicle passes through. See our range of bi-folding gates.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us

Related articles:

• The benefits of barriers
• Crime against business premises

Security barriers go a long way to providing an extra layer of security to prevent the opportunistic thief from entering your business or residential premises.

There are a range of barriers out there to suit most premises, each with their own features to suit the purpose. Here we offer a rundown of the three main types of security barrier.

Automatic barriers

These can generally be found in car parks, using a rising arm to regulate and restrict vehicle access, and are ideal for residential or commercial areas. Control of the automation can be managed by security guards on site, CCTV for visual verification, proximity cards or tokens to allow only verified personnel, or simply via a push button. More on automatic barriers.

Height restrictor barriers

Height restrictive barriers provide an ideal solution for the prevention of high vehicles entering unauthorised car parks. Suitable for warehouse, construction sites, garages, buildings or any facilities with restricted access, these barriers will deter larger transit vehicles from entering premises illegally.  More on height restrictor barriers.

Manual barriers

The manual barrier provides a more cost effective solution for commercial or industrial premises, helping with parking control, traffic management or securing premises. Controlled by a security guard, the manual barrier is also good for areas where power is not readily available. These can then be locked into position during opening or closing hours.  More on manual barriers.

With property crime accounting for 70% of all police recorded crime this year, read more on crime against business premises and ways to prevent it.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Property crime accounted for 70% of all police recorded crime in 2013/14 (source: UK Statistics Authority),  and 82% of all crime covered by the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales. Criminals are continually on the lookout for clever ways to rob honest, hardworking businesses so how can you limit the risk you face?

Property crime is defined as incidents where individuals, households or corporate bodies are deprived of their property by illegal means, or where the property is damaged. It includes offences of burglary, vehicle offences (theft of vehicles or property from vehicles), bicycle theft, robbery, shoplifting, fraud and criminal damage.

With crime rates on the up, businesses need to look at basic security measures, here are some considerations to improve the security of your business.

Carry out a risk assessment

First place to start is to identify where you are most vulnerable and carry out a thorough assessment of areas that could be targeted.

Secure your premises

Strengthen doors, fit window locks and install security lighting. Where access points are vulnerable install CCTV. Consider whether shutters or grill should be installed as these are an excellent way of deterring burglars.

Fencing and gates should be strong and well maintained, whilst access control systems can be fitted to prevent unauthorised access.

Fixing bollards, barriers or rising kerbs in the entrances around your premises will protect against ram raiders or unauthorised vehicles, as well as safeguarding vehicle parking areas. They can also simply help with traffic control, directing traffic through an area in a controlled manner.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.