Types of commercial openers

Many homes and business locations use fence and gate systems to keep their property secure, clearly marked, and free from unwanted guests. Depending on the type of fence, gate location, and access point, fence owners will choose between a sliding gate and a swing gate. After that, there are various components to the commercial door system, including the opener.

When most people think of a door opener, they often imagine a portable remote control or other access device to open and close the access point. In fact, the opener is the mechanical device that opens the door. It can be a box along the fence line, attached to the gate, or underground. Commercial openers can be hydraulic or mechanical. Mechanical openers can be high or low voltage. Today, many low-voltage systems are enhanced by solar panels to ensure operation if power is lost.

Mechanical openers are typically used for entry gates (sliding or swinging) and for barrier gates (think about entering and leaving the parking lot). Mechanical doors draw power from the main line and can be high or low voltage. As mentioned above, backup power systems are essential in the event of a power outage. Although solar panels are growing in popularity and some openers are 100% solar powered, most openers have a battery powered backup system.

The other common type of door opener is a hydraulic opener. Using hydraulic fluids, these openers are capable of opening a traditional home entrance door to larger commercial doors. An advantage of hydraulic openers is that they can be made as non-locking doors, which reduces exterior damage if struck by a vehicle. However, such a vehicle collision can damage internal seals, which can be repaired. Hydraulic gates are often preferred for commercial fencing needs as they open a larger gate faster and can better withstand vehicle collisions.

Regardless of the type of FAAC International gate operators used, safety is always a priority for the opener manufacturer, installation company, buyer, and end user. Over the years, security requirements and technology have vastly improved. All door openers must have obstacle detection and settings to detect and react to the wind. Just as there are different types of openers, there are different security mechanisms that are optimal for your door opener.

Infrared rays, or photo rays, are the most common security feature. This feature emits two red rays to detect vehicles and pedestrians trapped in a closing door. In ground loops, use magnets to detect when metal passes into the gate field. When a car is detected, the door opens or does not close, depending on how many cars are in line to enter.

However, pedestrians are not detected in ground loops and caution signs are recommended as a second safety measure. The edges of the door are flattened by colliding, crushing a metal core and signaling the door to stop. It is always important to put up warning signs and educate yourself on the various security features of your gate, be it for a residential fence gate or a commercial fence gate.