When the situation fits, consider an automated gate operator. Although there are situations where maybe and automated gate is not the best gate for you.
American Fence Company sells hundreds of gate operators along with access control systems every year. Both our residential and commercial sales and installs these systems. We love the idea of our customers automating gates. This represents more of convenience and improved security. Our customers' best intentions are always our first priority when coming together on your projects. With that said, there are times when and automated gate may not be the best choice. To help you decide to go automated or not to go automated, below are some of those situations.
- If you have several small children who like to play and climb on everything, or if their play area is in the proximity of the gate install. On one install, our salesman visited with the customer at her home to discuss an automated gate. This gate was to keep the children in the front yard as someone could not always be present to watch them. Through UL325 and ASTM2200 have attempted to keep all automated gates safe as possible. These standards are not full-proof. Small children can very easily and not knowing the harms maneuver around these devices and gates. We did provide this customer with a nice ornamental slide gate but no access control systems were installed.
- If you do not know who will be entering and exiting your gate and it is primarily unattended for long periods of time. We automated a gate at a local unsupervised camp site. After installing, we repeatedly received call to fix the gate operator as several campers quickly figured out that if they covered the photo-eye; they could keep the gate open at all times. We recommended a camera as an alternative to help stop the campers from manipulating the gate to stay open.
-If you do not want to install the necessary pedestrian safety devices or vehicle obstructions. A private remote hunting lodge wanted to install an automated slide gate. They elected not to install the reversing and safety devised as this would provide trespassers unlimited access.
-IF automating the gate creates a potentially dangerous situation for you. A gated community decided to install a estate double drive swing gate that they wanted to open out due to some severe elevation changes. This gate was only 30' off a super busy thoroughfare. We would not install gate operators on the this gate. After installing the gate, the customer hired a contractor to install gate operators and full access controls. After installing a guest of one of the residence pulled up to the gates, called the resident friend to open the gate, the gate started to open the guest panicked as the gates were opening towards her. She then put her car in reverse and backed up fast to avoid the gates hitting her car. What she didn't realize she was backing into traffic where she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. This Double drive gate was replaced shortly afterwards by a slide gate.
I hope the above situations help you make a decision to automate your gate or install an access control system. Either option we have you covered. Please contact your local American Fence Company for assistance. Our sales staff work with several of the nation's top manufacturers like GTO Linear OSCO, Liftmaster Chamberlain, Door King, Hy-security, and Tymetal. Teaming with these manufactures we will help you through the process to installing a fully functional and dependable automated access control system.