Up for a challenge!

Space Restrictions

Alarm Service Group and FAAC worked together on an installation in South Wales that, because of limited space, called for a specialist design for parking control and security.

Windsor Arcade in Penarth is home to a number of retail and commercial businesses with residential accommodation above street level. A gate system was required to ensure secure parking for residents.

“Some said this was impossible,” said Kevin Taylor, Director of Operations for Alarm Service Group, based in Bristol. “Local installers had refused to tender because of the limits on space, the restriction of a low undercroft and the very narrow turning angle at the site”.

After a number of site visits, Alarm Service Group and FAAC worked together to create a suitable and original design. The FAAC 844 sliding gate operator, designed to move the heaviest gates in commercial and industrial applications, was chosen.

Alterations were made to the gate to accommodate pedestrian access and special brackets and hangers were designed. Changes were also made to the design of the chain clamp, to suit the push-me-pull-me gate assembly.

Said Kevin Taylor: “Limit switches were mounted on purpose-made brackets to prevent overdrive in both directions and, to accommodate the complex approach to the gate, the safety beams were specifically angled.”

The FAAC 844 operator is designed to move sliding gates of up to 1800kg. The electronic equipment can be fitted internally or remotely allowing for more efficient installation. Constant oil bath lubrication of the mechanical components and die cast aluminium casing ensures a very high service life. It uses a clutch disc that is adjustable to specific torque requirements.

Challenge 2:

Vandalism

The threat of vandalism required CCTVuk to come up with a creative solution to access control at a prestigious development in Tunbridge Wells.

Post Office Square combines conversion of the former Tunbridge Wells Post Office with new build.

It consists of 30 luxury apartments and penthouses with secure underground parking, a health and leisure suite, boutiques and a specialist café. The town centre location makes security and privacy important considerations. The vehicle access control system needed to have minimal susceptibility to vandalism.

CCTVuk specified FAAC’s AT-8 high speed vehicle access control reader with long range detection. The AT-8 is designed to identify vehicles by reading transponder TAGs fitted by suction cup on the vehicle windscreen and powered by lithium batteries.

The easy to use AT-8 requires little, or no, maintenance and differs from other vehicle TAG systems not only because the tag is fitted to the windscreen but because the reader works no matter how fast a vehicle is approaching (max 200km per hour). It can be identified from a distance of up to 8m.

This was crucial to the installation because potential vandalism and aesthetic reasons meant the reader being sited approx 1m behind the gate and 3.5m above it.

Each car can be coded in and out and a computer printout of the last 1500 transactions can be generated. A combi-booster is available that provides double identification, particularly useful in large organisations where both vehicle and driver must be identified.

CCTVuk Project Manager Chris Percy, who has been specifying FAAC UK automation products for the last seven years, said he was excited about the potential of the AT-8.

Challenge 3:

Disability Discrimination Act

Compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act is a challenge for many installers, including Anglia Electrical and Security who are currently installing 31 FAAC 961 door operators at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft – the first school in East Anglia to comply with the regulations.

From April 2004 Part III of the DDA gives disabled people important rights of access to everyday services that others take for granted and demands permanent alterations to premises where access to services is impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people. This includes fitting automated doors where necessary.

A flexible solution was required for automating the different door types through Kirkley High School.

FAAC 961 electro mechanical swing operators are being installed on doors or lintels and as push-or-pull-arm applications. Operators are set for “assisted opening” – a light touch on the door activates automation. Wheelchair users have FAAC 868MHz two button radio transmitters to open doors.

Karl Skipp of Anglia Electrical and Security said: “This is a landmark project and providers of services throughout the region will be watching its performance closely.”

The FAAC 960 MP microprocessor enables programming of opening speed and force to suit the size and weight of the door. Intelligent controls make it possible to programme how close to the door a person needs to be before the opening mechanism is activated. If the door meets an obstacle when closing it immediately adjusts its closing speed then sweeps the area to ensure the obstacle has been removed.

Challenge 4:

Complex requirements

Swing gates have were chosen for installation by Wessex Automation at Exmouth Community College, a school so extensive that teachers need to drive between departments.

A set of gates installed last year was so successful that the college asked Wessex Automation to install a further two sets.

The gates answered the challenges of preventing the public using the school grounds as a short cut and to stop children using the vehicle access point. However concerns were raised that restricting access could cause problems for legitimate users and would hinder evacuation procedure in an emergency. Wessex chose the FAAC 400 unit, designed for intensive use and high traffic flows.

Nigel Hinkins of Wessex Automation said: “Teachers and other regular staff moving around the school use radio transmitters to open the gates while less frequent users such as delivery drivers use TAG proximity readers. The system is also connected to a timer that opens the gates automatically during the school’s busy periods.”

Through a link to the school’s fire alarm the system opens the gates automatically if the alarms are set off. A back-up system has also been installed and the Fire Brigade can gain entrance by using specific access boxes. The 400 gate mounted range is for use with gates of seven metres. The operator is for high-use and has versions with integral high strength hydraulic lock systems which secure the gates in their open & closed positions and by-pass valves for anti-crushing.