Safety Features You Should Have On Your Automatic Gate
Once you have your beautiful new electric gate installed, the safety and functionality of your new device become paramount. For starters, you will have to keep the gate properly maintained, as this can prevent it from breaking down in the future. Another thing to consider is the safety devices that you have installed on your security gate, which not only protect your gate from damage but can also keep your guests safe and you out of legal trouble.
There are some safety requirements are compulsory on your automatic gate from a legal standpoint, while others are just recommended. As a result, it is a good idea speak to the experts at Quality Gate Company to ensure that you have all of the safety standards met on your new investment. And if you notice that one of your automatic gate safety devices isn’t responding, we can send a licensed and insured technician to get it up and running before it becomes a major issue.
A Back-Up Power Supply
Because your gate is wired into your home’s electrical system, your gate operator won’t work when the power goes out. When this happens, you must still have access control of your electronic gates, or else you run the risk of being trapped on or off your property.
If your gate has been installed correctly, one of three safety measures should have been implemented under the national fire code:
1) The gate might have a single use battery, which will open the gate once and leave it open until power is restored. This battery ensures that people can exit the property during the blackout without having to worry about the gate.
2) Your automated gate could have a multi-use battery installed. With this battery, the gate operators will continue to function as they always have throughout the blackout, so your property remains secure. Since most power outages are relatively short, you shouldn’t have to worry about the battery running out during this time.
3) An automatic gate can be set-up to unlock on its own once the power goes out so that you can open and close it manually until the power comes back. The mechanical lock will unlatch if there isn’t any power running to it.
If you are unsure if your electric gate has any of these safety measures installed, call us at 760-723-2901 to have a look. It is also wise to have your system inspected after a blackout to ensure that your battery is still functional.
The Proper Gate Design
Checking that your gate’s design keeps pedestrians safe is vital because the last thing you want is for an injury to occur on your property. The gate should be developed and installed with provisions in place that make it impossible for a person to become trapped between a moving and stationary part of the gate. These gates are hefty, and if a person is pinned between the gate and a pillar, there is a good chance that the injuries will be severe or even fatal.
The chance of a serious injury is one of the main reasons why it is a good idea to have the gate installed by a certified technician, as these experts know how to set the gate up in a manner that minimizes the risk. Unless you have this kind of experience, you might not think of all the places where a pedestrian could be trapped by the gate, putting visitors to your home in potential danger. Even optimally designed gate systems create risk when not installed as they should be.
Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection Devices
Another item that your automatic gate should have is a detection device. This tool lets the gate know when a vehicle or person is in the way while the gate is opening or closing. When the detection device is triggered, the gate will automatically stop, and in some cases reverse, before it has the chance to do any damage.
The majority of these gates have vehicle detection loops installed. As the name implies, these devices can tell if a vehicle is in the way of the gate and will ensure that the gate stops before making contact with the car. You can adjust the settings on the detection loops according to your preferences. For example, if you frequently have guests at your home or are having a party one night, you can change the settings to allow people in and out more easily.
Reversing Edges
Any automatic gates on your property should have reversing edges. The basic idea behind these safety devices is that they force the gate to shift direction whenever something makes contact with it. This feature prevents the gate from staying in a potentially dangerous location, instead either opening or closing until the obstruction is gone.
For example, if your gate closes too quickly and makes contact with a vehicle that is trying to exit your property, this device reverses the gate, so that it doesn’t continue closing onto the car. The hope is that by changing directions quickly after contact, it can minimize the damage. If your other safety devices fail or if an undetected person or vehicle manages to hit your gate, you will be happy that your gate was equipped with the ability to get out of the way quickly.
Keeping Your Gate Safe
Automatic gates are meant to keep your property safe and secure, but whenever a 500-plus pound piece of iron is swinging around, there is the potential for damage to occur. That is why having an automatic gate expert inspect the safety devices on your gate is a good idea. Even one small mishap could hurt someone severely or do lots of property damage, so contact Quality Gate Company at 760-723-2901 to have one of our experts perform the necessary gate repair and maintenance on these safety devices or install additional tools that you don’t already have.
While these gates are set up with convenience in mind, keeping friends, family and neighbors safe is vital, so make sure that your gates are working as they should.