What does it take to build a custom security access gate?
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Category Gates
There are several challenges when deciding to build an access gate that acts as a security entry barrier to your house or place of business. The most important is space as the gate must move somewhere. There are two common types of security access gates, a sliding access gate and a swing access gate. The most popular access gate is a sliding gate due to the simpler design and the need for a single automation motor. The sliding gate runs on a specialised track that is embedded in concrete and allows for very heavy gates to be installed. A swing gate requires dual motors and strong specialised hinges for support and of course an area to swing into.
The site survey
Manufacturing starts with raw steel bought in bulk for the job. The amount needed is calculated after the first site visit where measurements are taken and the initial installation requirements are investigated. The decorative options are then discussed and the primary design agreed on.
There are several challenges when deciding to build an access gate that acts as a security entry barrier to your house or place of business. The most important is space as the gate must move somewhere. There are two common types of security access gates, a sliding access gate and a swing access gate. The most popular access gate is a sliding gate due to the simpler design and the need for a single automation motor. The sliding gate runs on a specialised track that is embedded in concrete and allows for very heavy gates to be installed. A swing gate requires dual motors and strong specialised hinges for support and of course an area to swing into.
The site survey
Manufacturing starts with raw steel bought in bulk for the job. The amount needed is calculated after the first site visit where measurements are taken and the initial installation requirements are investigated. The decorative options are then discussed and the primary design agreed on.
Manufacturing
The design is then handed to the welding and construction team for layout on specialised benches and jigs or if very large on a designated space on the factory floor.
The raw steel is accurately cut to size and mitred where required. The gate is then clamped and MIG welded for superior rust free joints. For curved gates a special bending jig is used.
A reputable steel company will allow factory visits to check on progress and make reasonable adjustments to the design of your gate.
Site pre install visit
A sliding gate requires a specialised heavy duty track to run on. What the customer sees is just the top of a very strong angle steel structure imbedded in concrete. It is crucial that the track is level and straight otherwise the gate will not run true and will place undue strain on the expensive motor. Other tasks such as positioning the posts holes and other fitting holes are drilled and completed.
The prefit
This step is not done by all companies but is crucial to ensure quality and customer satisfaction as once the gate is galvanised and epoxy coated any change is very difficult and compromises the integrity of the gate. The rough access gate, posts and fittings are taken onsite and professionally fitted. This allows tailoring of the installation and of course gives the customer the opportunity to request final, reasonable, adjustments if requirements.
Cleaning
This is the most important aspect of a quality gate and one that differentiates the amateur manufacturer and professional companies. Cleaning is the process of tediously grinding down the welding joints to a smooth finish and to make sure there are no flaws. It is also important to create internal virtually invisible venting holes for the galvanising coating to escape or the gate may explode!
Galvanising
The gate is then optionally taken to a hot dip galvanising plant where it is thoroughly coated with a hot Zink coating to ensure a rust free product. Alternatively an electro plated method can be used as well but the insides will not be coated and the gate may still rust in time.
Epoxy (powder) coating
Once the gate is galvanised it is taken to a plant where the galvanised gate is finally checked and aged in a special acid solution to ensure the epoxy coat adheres properly. A pre bake is then completed to release various gasses in preparation for the epoxy colour coating starts. The chosen epoxy colour paint powder is then sprayed on using an electric charge to ensure a consistent and uniform cover of paint. The gate is baked in a specialised oven at around 200 C for an hour. This process cures the powder paint and changes the texture to a lush plastic like finish that looks stunning and should lasts a lifetime and will outlast any paint job.
Final fitment
The gate is then carefully packed and wrapped and taken onsite for the final fitment. It is very important to have a square installation and sometimes square must be created as walls and pillars are not always as square as they look. This is part of the artistry of the industry and visually differentiates firms. Always look at previous work performed to judge how well square was created as a good eye for square is required.
The mechanisms
Once the gate is fitted the electric motor is fitted. The motor will operate on a low voltage circuit fed from a distribution point. The remote control unit is then fitted and can be incorporated with existing remote access systems such as garage doors or burglar alarms where possible and of compatible.
The handover
Once complete the owner is taken through the options available on the access gate motor such as deactivating the motor while the garden service is in progress and the safety features included in the motor operation to stop the gate from crushing any person or animal that may inadvertently step in the way.
What should you look out for?
Choose a reputable steel manufacturing company that will not compromise on quality as your gate is expensive and should last a life time.
Ensure your chosen company use MIG welders and not Arc welders.
Check previous installations and closely look at the quality of the finish.
Ask references about the demeanour of the contractor to ensure a pleasant experience.
Ask how the price is calculated for the job.
Ask for discount and judge the response as it will confirm flexibility.
Ask about the galvanising plant and epoxy plant and ask for comment on the quality of the coatings as some epoxy plants use inferior quality powders that are not as durable. The steel company should have painted steel plates ready to show the quality and available colours without an excuse.
Ask about the pre fit as this is the best time to ensure expectations are set and met on both sides thereby lessening any potential disputes.
The motors used are expensive and can vary in quality and features especially when integrating into existing remote access systems to allow single remotes to be used. Ask the steel company about the options and judge the response to establish the knowledge available.
Security access gates are expensive due to the amount of steel material and immense amount of manufacturing work involved, so it is important to engage with a company that will ensure that YOUR gate will be special and require virtually no maintenance and of course meet your specific requirements.
Johan Knoetze
Concept Steel Creations
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