What Type of Security Gate is Best for Your Commercial Premises?

Protecting your staff, visitors, and property will always be a priority, and a robust, reliable security gate can enhance this protection. However, not all gates are created equal, and some may lend themselves to your property more than others.

• Swing gates: Handy when you have lots of space and the entrance is not sloped.
• Sliding gates: Ideal for limited space and if the entrance is on a slope.
• Bi-fold gates: Useful in high traffic areas and those with a lack of space.
• Pedestrian gates: Necessary for areas where vehicle access isn’t needed, either alongside vehicle gates or as a standalone entry point.

In this guide, we’ll explore security gates for commercial premises and show the advantages of each type, the key considerations, compliance guidelines and how they can be integrated with existing security features.

What to consider before installing a new security gate at your commercial premises

Before you opt for one type of security gate over another, it’s important to consider your existing site and see how a gate can be incorporated. A swing gate may have some cosmetic appeal, but space may not allow it. A sliding gate could be a practical addition, but can it function at the speed you need for the traffic you have?

We’ve listed some key things to consider before you reach out to Harrier Gates, a trusted gate installer for Sussex and Surrey, for the design, build and installation of your new commercial security gates.

• The site layout: How many entrance and exit points do you have, and are any shared? Would swing gates compromise access? What space do you have available for gates to fit?
• Traffic volume: Is the premises constantly busy? Will there be pedestrians as well as vehicles needing access? Also note whether the traffic is consistent or only occurs at certain times of the day.
• Security needs: Are the gates for aesthetic purposes, or do you need heightened security? Would adding a keypad or fob slow access unnecessarily, or would it enhance security and provide personnel and property with added protection?
• Power supply: How much power will the gates require, and what work will be needed to ensure that the gate gets the power it needs? Would manual or automated be better?
• Integration: Do you already have some robust security measures in place that simply need upgrading? Can this be done with your existing system or do you need a full overhaul?

What security gates could I choose for my commercial property?

There are a number of gates you could choose from for your commercial property, each lending itself to certain property types. Where some may look great, their functionality may be an issue. Where others may look great and function as you need, are they secure enough for your premises? Below, we’ve listed the most popular commercial gate options and where they might be best suited.

Swing gates

Swing gates open inwards and outwards and are a cost-effective solution for commercial properties. They are often found in office car parks, schools, business parks and retail spaces.

Due to the swing, they do need more space than sliding or bi-fold gates and aren’t best if the entrance or exit point is sloped.

Sliding gates

Sliding gates move along a track or use a cantilever system without swinging into the space and are a very popular choice for commercial properties, especially if they are high-traffic areas that need enhanced security. Sliding gates open more slowly than other gates, helping to control access a little more, and thanks to their sliding nature, they can be incorporated into large spaces easily, making access for lorries and other big vehicles much easier.

You’ll find them in many properties, but most commonly at warehouses, industrial estates, depots and areas with enhanced security needs.

Bi-fold gates

Bi-fold gates are another popular option for a security feature at a commercial property. Perfect for high-traffic areas with limited space, they open and close quickly, which can often be a blessing in commercial spaces where customer turnover can be fast.

Bi-fold gates are often found in commercial spaces with very high traffic, such as airports and emergency services depots.

Pedestrian gates

Some properties may need specific access points for pedestrians, and a pedestrian gate can help create a safe entry or exit point at areas that could be dangerous, crowded or require monitoring.

Pedestrian gates can be used alongside vehicle access gates, but could also be a standalone feature on another part of the site.

Pedestrian gates should be considered for educational facilities, offices, healthcare premises, theme parks and industrial sites.

Commercial security gate options at a glance

Gate Type	Space required	Suits sloped entrances?	Opening speed	Best for	Commonly found at
Swing Gate	Lots. Needs clearance to swing in or out	No	Standard, but can be fast	Lower-traffic areas with room to spare	Offices, car parks, schools, business parks and retail spaces
Sliding Gate	Compact, gates slide alongside the boundary	Yes	Slower to help control access	High traffic sites and large vehicle access	Warehouses, industrial estates, depots
Bi-Fold Gate	Minimal	Dependent on where gate is installed	Fast	High traffic sites with limited space	Airports, emergency service depots, commercial sites
Pedestrian Gate	Variable	If swing, no, if slide, yes	Dependent on swing or slide function	Vehicle-free access	Educational facilities, healthcare premises, offices, theme parks

Of course, each gate type can be implemented in many more areas. Speaking to our team at Harrier Gates about your needs helps you find an ideal solution that not only meets your security and functionality needs, but also aligns with your budget, tastes and existing security set-up.

Safety and compliance features to consider for commercial gates

Workplace safety is a legal requirement, and this goes way beyond things like manual handling or working at height. An automatic gate for a commercial premises must include specific safety features that prevent injury and ensure compliance with the latest standards.
Any gate you have installed must include appropriate safety measures, which under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 typically include:

• Safety edges
• Photocells
• Manual release systems

These aren’t just advisories; these are essential, and gate installations without them could see your business exposed to legal claims and reputational damage should something unfortunate happen. From small injuries to serious tragedies, keeping safety at the heart of your commercial gate decision is essential. Once a gate is in use at a commercial site, it falls under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. We cover automatic gate safety regulations in detail in our recent blog.

Can you integrate your new commercial security gate with existing security systems?

It’s likely that you already have some level of security in place. CCTV, alarms, or access control systems can all be integrated into a new gate installation, meaning you don’t need significant upheaval to keep your premises, staff and visitors safe.

High-traffic sites will benefit from the introduction of ANPR too. This will help to speed up access and reduce bottlenecks at the entry point.

How often should a gate be serviced?

In most cases, a gate should be serviced at least annually, with high-traffic areas benefiting from servicing every three to six months. Regardless of the gate type you are considering, it’s important to understand the importance of maintenance and servicing. Regular services and inspections will help keep your gate functioning as it should and prevent small issues from developing into expensive repairs.

Most gate servicing includes:

• Motor performance
• Alignment
• Lubrication
• Safety device testing
• Checks for wear and tear

Common mistakes when choosing a commercial security gate

In some cases, gates are, unfortunately, chosen on aesthetic alone, when it’s functionality that matters the most. Opting for a gate that is best suited for light use in a premises where it will be operating hundreds of times a day is likely to see you pay for repairs or even replacement more often than you would like.

Another often forgotten aspect is drainage. Sliding gates, for example, could see their tracks frozen or flooded if proper drainage hadn’t been installed. This could result in significant downtime that reduces customer footfall and leads to additional repair costs.

Perhaps the last, and maybe most common mistake, is simply choosing the wrong gate type. A swing gate where there isn’t sufficient clearance, for example, could cause extreme wear, access issues and a need to start the project again.

Working with a professional gate installer helps you sidestep these problems, as a site survey allows all the issues to be identified and addressed before any work begins.

Is a manual or automatic gate better for a commercial property?

Choosing a manual gate or an electric gate largely comes down to how it is used. Manual gates can be better in some cases, but may be found to be lacking in others.

Manual gates

• Cheaper to install
• Less maintenance
• Good for low traffic sites
• Can be kept open all day if required

Automatic gates

• More expensive to install
• Improved security
• Added convenience
• Good for high traffic sites
• Enhanced access control

Why choose Harrier Gates for your commercial security gates?

Choosing Harrier Gates as your gate installer in Surrey and West Sussex means that you benefit from an established and trusted team. We carefully design, build and install gates of all types for commercial properties in the area, ensuring they comply with the latest regulations and match the needs of your premises. From controlling traffic flow to reducing theft and from enhancing safety to improving aesthetics, our gates transform your property. Contact us today to request a free site survey.