So, you’ve decided to buy an industrial safety gate! Great! As with any other purchase, there are questions to be answered and options to be selected. Gates, while effective, convenient, relatively inexpensive, and easy-to-install, are not one-size-fits-all. Yes, many gates can each be attached in a variety of locations, but it’s not the size of the connection that is the issue, but rather the actual function for which the gate is needed.
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Let’s take a look at some of the questions you will need to answer prior to your purchase and see how the gate’s function plays into your decision-making process.
You are going to need to start with the basics, and the most basic of all questions is “Why?” Why are you installing this gate? What purpose will it serve? Who will use it? Have you had problems before that have led you to this decision? Are there safety regulations that require its use? Your answer may be simple or it may be complicated, but whichever it is, it is going to help you make the proper decision.
Some of the reasons you may be installing a gate could be to control access, as a warning of an upcoming hazard, or as fall protection. Different applications will mean different gates. The difference can be something as simple as the direction in which the door swings or if there is some type of lock on the gate. Gates used for fall protection will need to be a specific height to meet the standards and must be as strong as railings are required to be. Hash out your needs before deciding what to buy.
Where your gate will be installed will play a big part in deciding what material your gate will be made of. An indoor gate, for instance, could be made of steel and last a long time, as long as you’re not in a humid environment or an industrial environment that could expose the gate to other corrosive materials. Using it outdoors, however, could be a problem because rain and ambient humidity could cause steel to rust. Your best options for an outdoor gate will be aluminum, galvanized steel, or stainless steel. All will be corrosion resistant, with the steel options being stronger – and heavier – than the aluminum option. Galvanized is probably the most economical way to go and will achieve the same corrosion protection.
There are different sized safety gates for different applications. If you are simply setting it up for single person access to a ladder, then you might need a full-height safety gate. If you want a two-person gate, you’ll obviously need a double wide safety gate. But the options don’t stop there. You could want a mezzanine or pallet gate. These are not only a wider design, but pallet gates are configured in such a way that when opened, the pallet itself is protecting the opening. All of the gates, when finished, return automatically to their original position, whether they be vertical sliding gates, horizontal, or swing gates.
The use could determine the type of gate you want. Heavy use could call for an automatic gate that doesn’t require your employees to push it open every time they pass through. Something used less frequently may not warrant this. Either way, the important thing is to ensure your gate has been cycle tested to the ANSI standard. ANSI BS -2: Clause 6.5 says that a gate should be tested through 90 degrees 50,000 cycles.
While OSHA does not necessarily require safety gates to be yellow, you’re going to want them to be highly visible. If it blends into the background, it can be just as dangerous as not being there. However, depending on your industry, there could be other requirements. For instance, the food industry may be required by the FDA to have stainless steel gate. It is important that you know this so that in attempting to bring yourself into fall protection compliance with OSHA, you do not take yourself out of compliance with any other regulatory body you may be beholden to.
Industrial safety gates may be fairly simple to install, depending on where they are being installed, but you want to make sure the person doing so is competent. Lives could depend on it. Know that if you are planning on having somebody in-house install the gates, your supplier will often offer tutorial videos or other forms of instruction to provide all the help you need. If you are even remotely unsure of your installer’s competency, pay the extra money to have it done by a professional. Don’t take chances with your employees’ lives.
In addition to cycle testing, OSHA requires that gates meet certain load requirements. You can’t assume that just because a gate is made of steel that it will meet the requirements. Springs, hinges, and stoppers could all be potential points of failure if the gate is not tested. Do not assume just because a product is commercially offered, either, that it has been tested. Ask to see the proof of testing. A manufacturer should have no problem providing this testing, as Kee Safety's test document.
While many safety gates might look the same, there could be some key differences. Use this list to help you determine what you need so you can provide the safest working environment for your employees. Gates can be simple, yet effective safety tools. Don’t let the selection of the wrong one be the cause of a tragedy you were trying to protect against.
A commercial swing gate makes a great addition to any business. On top of increased security, an automated swing gate also allows your staff and customers to have quick, convenient access to your business.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a swinging driveway gate for your commercial property.
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If privacy and security are your top priorities, an aluminum or steel gate is the way to go. Aluminum gates are durable, require little maintenance, and resist corrosion. But one drawback of aluminum is that it can dent more easily than steel. Steel is heavier than aluminum but more resistant to impact. For more visual appeal, a wrought-iron gate combines style and durability.
Single swinging gates can typically accommodate openings up to 16 feet wide. You can also opt for a double swinging gate with hinges on each side of the entrance space. Both gates swing open simultaneously and can create an entrance space up to 32 feet wide. This option is ideal for commercial operations that accommodate large vehicles like semitrailers. Keep in mind that double gates require two operators.
Commercial and institutional operations like factories, airports, and detention facilities require specialized operators to move long, heavy gates with high duty cycles. The HySecurity SwingSmart DC-20 handles gates up to 20 feet wide and 1,300 pounds. The CSW-24U by LiftMaster can run more than a million cycles in the most demanding elements. Keep in mind that these gate operators require a concrete pad as a mounting base.
Controlling gate access helps reduce crime, prevent unauthorized visitors, streamline operations, and monitor who enters and exits the property. Creative Door Services™ carries a variety of access control solutions, including keypads, fobs, Bluetooth readers, intercoms, and more. Solutions like mobile apps, PIN codes, virtual keys, Apple Watch, or even voice commands with Siri or Alexa can give staff and visitors easy access.
You can have even more control and monitoring capabilities. Some access control systems can link up with your smartphone or computer, so you can remotely unlock or activate your gate from anywhere in the world.
At Creative Door Services™, we understand that every commercial property is different. Our customized gate solutions accommodate your business’s unique functionality requirements and space limitations. Our team will visit your business to discuss your operations, assess your property’s constraints, and customize a solution that meets your needs.
Swinging gates are generally less expensive than sliding gates because they have fewer moving parts. Fewer components mean fewer pieces to malfunction and lower risk of breakdown, which can save you money on downtime and future repair costs.
Swing gates are suited to sloped entrances because you can adjust the bottom clearance. They’re also a good choice if you live in an area with heavy snowfall because they don’t have tracks that would be susceptible to snow, ice, and debris accumulations.
In addition, swing gates are quieter and generally open faster than slide gates. Your staff and visitors have a better experience, and your operation runs more efficiently.
Once you have your gate installed, keeping it in good working order is a big responsibility. Regular maintenance can be the difference between a secure property and a break-in or worse. Creative Door ServicesTM offers a planned maintenance program that can help you catch minor problems before they turn into major issues.
When you register for planned maintenance, our expert technicians will periodically come to your business and inspect your gate system to ensure it works properly. Our technicians will check the electrical connections, examine all the mechanical parts and hardware for signs of damage, test and adjust the gate’s torque, ensure the manual release, obstacle detection and auto-reverse functions are operating correctly, and so much more.
Creative Door Services™ understands that your residential or commercial gate must operate as intended and provide the right level of protection for your property. That’s why we proudly carry a wide range of gates from top industry manufacturers to ensure you get a durable, reliable product for both your home or business, or both. We also offer comprehensive installation and repair services.
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