Automatic swing gates are the most common option for residential driveway gates, and they offer a lot of advantages in certain applications. Their two-part design offers a visually balanced appearance and a bidirectional mechanism that is as effective as it has been for decades. The addition of automation ensures that the gates will open and close with your vehicle without any additional effort. However, if the automation is poorly selected or designed, you will need to put a lot of effort into manually operating the gate, which is usually an uncomfortable experience, especially in the rain, as you contact the installers.
The automation system is one of the major design components that will need to be selected well in advance of the gates actually being installed.
Inward or Outward – and Why It Matters More Than You Think
First, let’s talk about the direction the gates swing, which is frequently dictated by the site rather than by preference. Inward swinging gates are the most common residential preference because they swing into the drive, leaving the sidewalk clear, and do not involve planning or highways considerations. Outward swinging gates can be used where the drive is too short to clear the entrance, but they create issues of their own. Any gate that swings out onto a public sidewalk requires additional thought, and in some local authority areas, it will require a license or some form of agreement. If the drive is behind a wall or fence and is close to a classified road, the position of the gate in relation to the road also needs to be considered.
The swing arc of a gate also determines how much space is needed clear on both sides of the entrance. A 2.5 metre leaf requires 2.5 metres of clear space, plus some tolerance. While this is a simple concept, it is shocking how often it is not considered at the inquiry stage.
The Drive Mechanism
The most common options for automating a pair of swinging gates are underground systems, linear rams, and articulated arms. Each has its own profile and range of constraints.
The leaf of the gate rotates over underground actuators placed within the post of the gate. Nothing is externally visible from the gate, making them the most aesthetically pleasing option. However, they require concrete gate posts of specific dimensions, along with good drainage. In clay-heavy soils and regions of high water tables, underground actuators will not have adequate protection and will be over very rapid deterioration. They incur a substantial cut in costs for service, as less is required to perform maintenance.
Linear ram actuators extend and retract, pushing and pulling, to drive the gate leaf along its path of rotation. They are the most visible option but most reliable. They are less challenging to service and have less impact from ground conditions. Because of these reasons, they are the practical option for most residential setups.
Articulated arm motors are designed to fold against the gate when opened, and are attached at the top of the post. They work best for scenarios with restricted depth behind the line of the gate.
Automated gates are known to be very dangerous, as there have been many reported deaths, including many involving children. The HSE guidelines for the safety of automated gates are very clear on requirements that must be met. BS EN 12453 outlines safety requirements for automated gates and includes appropriate safety devices that must be installed. Compliance cannot be achieved by simply limiting the motor torque.
This requires safety edges on the leading edge of the gate, photocells that ensure there are no obstructions along the path of the moving gate, and a manual override that can be done without power, for example. A good installer will include all of the above. A quote without those components will give you a good idea of the rest of the installation.
Let’s talk about power and access control, and a few other things that are often unnecessarily left to the last minute.
A long driveway with an automatic gate means there are some logistical challenges for getting power, specifically running a good quality cable to the gate. Take note of the path and estimate the cost of the cable run to determine if you need to consider alternative gate opening mechanisms, especially if you have a budget, as this impacts gate access the most.
Access control is the other aspect that usually gets too little consideration until it is too late. Remote fobs as a minimum, and the ability to communicate with the gate and have it operated via mobile are the new basics. It would be wise to include access control considerations in the groundworks if you are likely to need keypads, fob readers, and time and attendance systems as these will be extremely costly to retrofit.
The Slope Problem
Most people struggle when driveways with gates and slopes come together. A swing gate with a sloping driveway clears the slope on the inward swing if the gate is mounted higher, creating a gap. But, if the gate clears the slope on the inward swing, it will ruin both the driveway and the gate sooner rather than later. Raking the gate is possible, but is more complicated and restricts the types of mechanisms that can be used. If the slope is large, it is better to discuss this with the installer before the survey, rather than assuming the installer will notice.
When It Works Well
After an automatic swing gate installation is surveyed and equipped with the right mechanisms and safety equipment, it really is a set and forget installation for many years. The simplicity of the mechanisms and reduction in the number of moving parts results in an increase in the servicing interval. The gates, made of steel or aluminum and powder coating, have a long life, even when compared to other infrastructure.
The gates that cause the most issues are the ones that are the most underspecified. The wrong mechanism, safety provisions, and an electricity supply that was an afterthought are all examples of these gates and the problems they create. These problems can be easily avoided with the right questions before the installation begins.