When thinking about a new automated gate for the entrance to a property, professional installers need to make sure they get the basics right!

For entrances on or off a busy road, it is important to consider that the client might want to get the vehicle fully off the road to avoid leaving the car in a potentially dangerous position. Therefore, the gate needs to be sited to accommodate this.

The levels around the gate must also be scrutinised. If the ground is on an incline as you enter the site, this may result in a large gap under the gate, which is far from ideal if the installation is designed to keep children or pets safe. In these circumstances, a sliding gate may be a better option than a swing gate.

Care also needs to go into reviewing the most appropriate style of gate for the client. A conventional field gate is the most popular, but it represents a near perfect ladder for a small child to attempt to scale. If children are likely to be on the site, a vertical bar gate may represent a better option. Similarly, a solid infill gate will also deter climbing but bear in mind, the structure of this type of gate requires heavier posts and foundations, it will also be problematic to open and close during windy conditions.

With any automated gate, the installer must identify how the client is intending to get in or out of the property and also how visitors will gain access or egress from the site. Any installer must understand all of the risks associated with the gate and its unique set of circumstances to ensure a safe and reliable operation.

Installing a gate represents an infrequent purchase for a client so it is essential that the professional installer demonstrates the necessary knowledge and expertise to get it right first time round. Mistakes can be expensive, as well as downright unsafe. Gate Safe advises all those involved in the installation of automated gates – to take the Gate Safe training to ensure they have the requisite skills and understanding to deliver a gate that is first and foremost safe, but one that also meets with the client’s requirements. Visit www.gate-safe.org for details of the next training course.