This Is the Ultimate Guide to Gates, Access Control, and Gate Operators
What Is Access Control?
If you haven’t heard of access control, it is precisely what it sounds like. It is a security principle for properties that focuses on controlling who has access to an area or location.
Access control means fencing off an area and installing a locked gate or door in its most simplistic form. For most security and gate contractors, implementing access control utilizes automated gate systems.
While a gate with a manual lock can work in a pinch, opting for an automated system over a manual locking system to control entry to your property can give you some great benefits. These benefits include increased security tracking, accessibility for the differently-abled, and remote access, if needed.
Automated access control systems routinely pair any of the following with a manual gate operator:
- RFID Card Access
- Punch Codes
- Intercom Systems
- Camera Surveillance
- Remote Openers
Intercom and camera systems generally aren’t utilized on their own but can be used to enhance overall property security. Organizations that need to keep a log of movement through buildings can use entry scans to get a broad view of employee movements through building gates. However, this tracking requires implementing an additional server versus a standalone control unit.
No matter the form the access control system takes, the installed gate operator won’t open unless the system verifies proper credentials.
All About Gate Operators
We have mentioned gate operators a few times already and discussed them in a previous blog post on the subject. These are the physical control units on a gate that provide the functionality to open when provided with the correct access signal.
They come in a number of types which we will get to in a bit. Each type of gate operator relies on electricity to activate a motorized gear that will then open, hold for a given amount of time, and then close and lock the gate. No matter the opening style of the gate, utilizing a gate operator for access control provides several improvements to traditional manual gates.
1. Safety Features
With an automated system comes the question of safety. Gate operator systems come with safety sensors to help prevent injuries or damage to cars. These critical safety devices help prevent gates from accidentally closing on people, cars, or other objects moving through the gate.
They function in a manner similar to those on garage doors. They can either sense an object blocking the path with a laser detection system or detect physical resistance on the motor while the gate is closing. If a safety sensor detects a thing, it will automatically reverse its operation (open to close or vice versa) to avoid damage.
This type of safety system can often make automatic gate control systems considerably safer overall in comparison to manual systems. The motor will hold the gate in a controlled position, meaning less of a chance for it to slam or swing into objects or people.
2. Increased Accessibility for Authorized Users
It may seem like a small thing, but the ability to easily open a gate with one hand or without having to leave your vehicle is a massive boost in making your property more accessible. This ease of use doesn’t just help the elderly or differently-abled either.
Having an automatic gate operator means you won’t need to hop out of your car during heavy rain or other inclement weather.
3. Power Sources
The majority of gate operators tie into the electricity for the properties building via an external breaker. However, it is still essential to have a battery backup for the system in the event of a power failure. You can manually override a gate, but having the battery backup keeps all the great functionality in place.
If a gate location is a considerable distance from a building or power source, full battery operation tied with a solar system is a good choice. While these can operate solo, solar solutions are less powerful and dependent on good weather conditions or gate locations that receive a lot of sunshine.
Both solar and tied-in electrical connections will work with most gate styles and material types. Solar, however, does tend to have a higher upfront cost, but with a trade-off of less ongoing electrical cost and a lower environmental impact.
4. Robust Security
Access control and gate operators have a focus on security built-in. But the improved security you get doesn’t stop at managing authorized users and being able to monitor who is using the gate.
Most locking mechanisms for gate operators are concealed within a contained unit not visible or readily accessible from the outside. Meaning potential bad actors can’t just snip a lock with a pair of bolt cutters.
Getting through these systems takes electrical and engineering knowledge to open safely and quickly. Making yourself a more challenging target will deter most thieves from making an attempt.
5. Special Maintenance Requirements
While you can generally manually override a gate operator, you don’t want to need to. Proper maintenance is essential if you decide to install an access control system to keep the motor and safety features in working order.
You can probably handle some basic upkeep yourself for the more machine savvy, like making sure everything is oiled. But it is still essential to make sure you routinely have the control unit and motor inspected by expert technicians at least once a year. If your gate sees heavy use or is in an area prone to frequent inclement conditions, you may want to increase the number of inspections a year.
Other than making sure to have the gate operator regularly serviced, upkeep on an automatic access control unit is as minimal as any other fence and gate. Make sure to keep the area clear of debris and make any general repairs to the fence.
Types of Automatic Openers
You can categorize automatic gates into three types, cantilevers, swing gates, and vertical lifts. Each type has its own distinct opening method and placement requirements, but they all share the above benefits.
1. Cantilever
Often referred to as a slide gate, cantilever styles of gates are the workhorse of the gate world. Cantilevers utilize a counter-balance design to allow for smooth linear motion across potentially large distances in industrial and commercial settings.
Slide gates generally have lower maintenance costs, less noise, and safer operations. However, due to the slide and counterweight, they can take up the most significant amount of installation space perpendicular to the path. However, this specific space requirement doesn’t rule them out for residential purposes.
If your driveway has an immediate tight corner or steep incline that prevents a gate from swinging inward, a slide gate is a superior choice. For this reason alone, slide gates are a popular choice along the winding mountain road communities throughout western North Carolina.
2. Swing
The most common type of gate is the swing style. Either single-sided or doubled to cross more considerable distances, these need a moderate amount of space to install overall but do require the largest amount of flat area along the path. This path space needs to be kept clear of any debris, so maintenance costs are higher, and the potential for hitting objects is larger than in other styles.
If you have a relatively short distance to cross, a sidewalk to one car's width, and room for the gate to swing, this is the easiest and lowest cost option. And this can be an elegant-looking entry solution when matched to an existing fence.
3. Vertical Lift
You likely won't see this type of gate very often, but if you are short of space or flat area, the vertical lift style of the gate operator provides a compact solution. The gate lifts into the air along tracks allowing people and vehicles to pass underneath.
While space-efficient, these systems see a lot of stress, which means higher maintenance costs in the long run, especially if operated constantly throughout the day.
Tips on Choosing the Right Gate for You
All this may seem like a lot of information just to decide on the best gate for your situation. Consider your gate needs if you find it difficult to even think about where to start.
- Available space for the gate installation: This includes the area to either side of the road, as well as any inclines, turners, or landscaping that may otherwise limit the use of a swing gate.
- Frequency of use: If the gate is going to be used frequently throughout every day, you will want a more maintenance-friendly and robust system than one that only needs to open once or twice.
- Power options: As mentioned, most gates are designed to tie into the existing power grid. If you need or want to use solar, note that, as it may limit your options.
- Gate materials types: Do you want to match an existing fence, do something fancy, or stick to the basics? Gate operators are generally interchangeable with any gate material, but consider that materials that weigh more will put more strain on systems.
- Access entry type: Finally, think about what type of entry you want (RFID key card vs. punch pad) and any additional security features like an intercom.
Keeping these five things in mind will make getting the right gate in place substantially easier for you and the installation company.
Final Selection
Contact a professional in your area once you have a general idea of what type of gate operator style and access control you are interested in. They will help double-check your decisions and make sure the gate you end up with fits your needs.
Don’t worry if you are unsure of space requirements; a professional installer will perform a site check before you make any final selection.
Fence and Gate Installation in Asheville, NC
Western North Carolina is an absolutely fantastic place to live and work. If you find yourself in need of residential or commercial access control, look no further than Asheville Fence. We have proudly served this area since 1966 with a team of professionals with expert product knowledge and good old-fashioned "know-how" to exceed our customers' expectations.
We are a full-service fence and gate company. We can help you from the ground up with residential and commercial fencing, guard rails, and access control installation. Then after installation, we help protect your investment with repair and annual maintenance services.
Call us at (828)665-8900 or talk to us online to find out why we are the "go-to" fence and guardrail contractor for the City of Asheville and NCDOT.
Annual Gate Maintenance
We offer an annual plan if you already have a gate or access control system in place and are looking for a trusted maintenance service. We don’t need to have installed the fence or gate. While you can call us to service any issues as they arise, our preventative agreement comes with some great benefits:
- Scheduled maintenance reduces the risk of breakdown.
- Cheaper than scheduling a single service call.
- Discount on parts and labor outside of the annual check.
- Provided inspection reports, which can be helpful for security audits or on resale of the property.
If you are interested in setting up a maintenance plan, fill out our online form to get started.