You can install robust fencing with concertina wire, or even a moat or retaining wall, to deter unauthorized persons or vehicles. The challenge lies in maintaining the security level at points where access to the premises is granted. A good gate preserves the integrity of your fencing, but what factors should you consider when choosing a gate? Which risk scenarios are relevant to your organization? Is the emphasis of your access control on security or rather on hospitality? How do you manage access for individuals with disabilities? What is the role of the gate in the event of an evacuation? These are relevant questions that we are happy to help you with.

Want to learn more about gates and speedgates? Contact one of our specialists!

All about Gates and Speedgates

Gates come in many different types and sizes. Sliding gates, roller gates, swing gates, speedgates, turnstiles; each type has its own strengths and limitations.

Sliding Gates

One of the characteristics of a sliding gate is its ability to span large openings. Single constructions can be up to 12 meters wide. Despite having a large span and an installation depth of only 400mm, sliding gates are highly effective against ramming attacks. Heavier sliding gates are supplied with a PAS 68 certificate, meaning they can withstand a ramming attack by a 7.5-ton vehicle at 64 km/h without being driven over. Sliding gates are available with rail guidance or as cantilevered systems. Electrical operation can be managed with photocells, from a control room, with a contact list in combination with a pass or tag, and even with an app. A sliding gate can be equipped with various forms of detection against climbing, sawing, or grinding. Electric fence security is also an option, where a powerful (non-hazardous) voltage is applied to a wire mesh. Depending on your risks, the desired number of openings, and opening speed, we assist you in choosing the ideal sliding gate for your circumstances.

Roller Gates

Common in industry and also known as overhead doors or industrial doors. These gates provide your building with fast, reliable access and offer high insulation value when closed. The sandwich panels are made of steel or aluminum, with a fire-retardant (CFC-free) polyester foam core in between. If desired, window panels can be installed to allow more daylight. Overhead doors can be supplied in any desired RAL color and can be operated with an electric motor (from a control room or with manual control) or with a chain hoist. Roller gates are manufactured under the CE mark and standardized under EN 13241:2016.

Swing Gates

One of the most cost-effective gates is a swing gate. They are available with many different options and in various sizes, from 1 meter up to 10 meters wide. They are known for their excellent anti-burglary properties and can be equipped with anti-climb protection, detection systems, electrical operation, access control, and intercom systems. For more high-security applications, heavier variants are also available, which are supplied with a PAS 68 certificate. This means they can withstand a ramming attack by a 7.5-ton vehicle at 64 km/h without being driven over. This makes it an effective anti-terrorism gate, which will usually be closed, but through which vehicles occasionally need to pass. Consider applications in high-security environments, vital infrastructure, airports, or defense locations. All swing gates are provided with a zinc coating and can be supplied in any desired RAL color.

Speedgates

A gate that combines the speed of a barrier with the resistance of a sliding or swing gate is the Speedgate. This electric bi-folding gate is available with floor or ceiling guidance, or even entirely ‘trackless’. Depending on the type of Speedgate, the opening time is between 3-10 seconds. Common applications include (public) parking garages or garages with a private, enclosed section for residents. For a higher security level, standard Speedgates can be combined with bollards. However, High Secure Speedgates are also available. These are supplied with a PAS 68 certificate and are thus tested against a ramming attack by a 7.5-ton vehicle at 64 or even 80 km/h. With High Secure Speedgates, additional measures such as bollards are not necessary. When a Speedgate is also used to secure, for example, a loading dock of a cash center, they are sometimes combined with a roller gate; depending on the overall security balance of the object.

A Speedgate (and especially a trackless Speedgate) has a very shallow installation depth, offering many application possibilities, for example, on concrete floor slabs with limited thickness. Speedgates are available in many sizes and finishes. In practice, they are often combined with detection loops (and/or roadblockers) and integrated with camera systems, access control systems, or payment systems. Given their quality and speed, they are extremely suitable for use in high-traffic environments.

When considering gates, always carefully consider access for individuals with disabilities or the gate’s function in the event of an evacuation. With our advice, you are always assured of the best price-performance ratio.

Vehicle and Pedestrian Barriers

The examples above are suitable for vehicle and pedestrian deterrence. While a barrier is only intended to allow authorized vehicles to pass, a turnstile only allows authorized persons to pass. A full-height turnstile is an access sluice that provides passage to your premises within a security fence, without compromising the integrity of the fence’s (vehicle) deterrence. They are common at event locations such as football stadiums or in high-security environments like correctional facilities or Cash Centers. Turnstiles are electrically controlled, allowing a signal to be sent remotely by an officer in the security lodge. The turnstile can also be released (e.g., after a payment), where the person themselves must give a slight push against the turnstile for the rotation to then continue electrically.

Indoor Turnstiles
There are also low turnstiles, with 3 or four arms, which are widely used in buildings such as swimming pools, recreation parks, and office environments. They are also known as ‘tripod turnstiles’ or ‘revolving crosses’. A variation of these are Speedlanes, which can handle a larger volume of passages and are therefore more suitable for environments with many people. For indoor use, there are also full-height variants, such as the Circlelock. This single-person access sluice is frequently found in high-security areas of office buildings, as well as in Data Centers and Cash Centers, and is integrated into access control solutions. Various types of identification are possible here, including card readers and biometric identification methods (vein pattern recognition, iris scan, weight measurement, etc.). The choice of a turnstile or gate is highly dependent on your situation and risks.

We are happy to advise you

Standards for Gates and Speedgates

Mactwin is a knowledge-based company. We invest significant energy in acquiring, sharing, and securing knowledge about explosion protection; both within our organization and externally. This is reflected in the expertise and dedication with which our experts implement your solution.

Standards have been established for gates and speedgates. As a basis, we apply European standards such as the NEN-EN 13241:2016, and for heavier high-security applications, we also work with PAS 68 and PAS 69 for vehicle deterrents (including gates, but also bollards and roadblockers). However, a standardized product alone does not guarantee the quality of your overall deterrence. We ensure that all measures are balanced and integrated, so you can always provide the resistance and delay crucial for your organization. Would you like to know how we go beyond mere standardization? Please feel free to contact us.