When an
automated vehicular gate operator is installed on a property in general access applications, there must be a method to allow emergency vehicles (fire, police, ambulance) access to the property without the gate hindering
their entry. The access system must allow for entry through the vehicular gate under three different and unique situations:
- The system is in service and under normal operation.
- A power failure has occurred and battery back-up systems are employed.
- A power failure has occurred and the back-up system has failed (dead or low charged battery).
Situation 1 - Normal Operation
Under normal operation, there are many devices that can be integrated with the vehicular gate system to allow emergency vehicles access to the
property. When any of these devices are activated, the vehicular gate(s) is commanded to open and remains open until the device is deactivated. Typically, the emergency vehicle access device by-passes the primary access
control device (telephone entry system for example) and is wired directly to the gate operator open input. When the device is activated, a simple switch closure from the device to the gate operator open input commands
the gate to open and to remain open until the switch closure is removed. Some of these devices are:
Click-2-Enter.
This system consist of a special radio receiver that allows Fire Departments, Police Departments and Ambulance companies to open the access gates by using their two-way radio installed in their trucks / cars.
. With this system, emergency vehicles each have a special access key that that activates an emergency override key switch. These key switches are typically labeled FIRE DEPT. and
are installed in a location at the gate that is visible and easily accessible.Lock Boxes. Lock boxes are essentially the same as the key switch option in that a special padlock (that only
emergency vehicles have a key too) is placed on the lock box to lock it shut. When the padlock is removed (or cut off), the lock box automatically commands the gate to open and will hold the gate open until the lock
box is reclosed and locked. Lock boxes are typically labeled FIRE DEPT. and are installed in a location that is easily visible and easily accessible.
Siren Sensors.
These devices detect the "yelp" mode from an emergency vehicles siren. When the yelp is detected, the gate will open.
Strobe Light Sensors. These devices respond to the flashing strobe
light from the emergency vehicle. When the strobe light is sensed, the gate will open.
Wireless Transmitters. Like garage door openers, wireless transmitters open the gate from a distance of 75
to 100 feet. These transmitters are specially encoded with a code that is unique to emergency vehicles.
The devices listed above are the most common and most popular on the market at this time. As other devices become available, they will be listed here. DoorKing provides lock boxes and wireless transmitters
for our customers. If you are in need of other devices, please contact DoorKing or a DoorKing distributor to help source one of these other devices.
Because of the many different devices available, the
city building department should be consulted to determine which method of entry is preferred by the local authorities.
Situation 2 - Power Failure with Battery Back-Up Employed
Many manufacturers of vehicular gate operators now offer battery back-up systems that provide a method to open the gate when primary (AC) power is removed. DoorKing offers battery back-up systems on our model 6100,
6300, 9150, and 1601 operators. The battery back-up system in these operators is completely self contained in the operator and is completely independent from the primary drive system. In essence, this provides a
redundant drive system when the primary AC power is removed. Note: If your operator does not employ a battery back-up system, please refer to situation 3 below.
With DoorKing operators
equipped with a battery back-up system, the back-up system can be programmed to operate in one of two different methods. 1) When a power failure occurs, the back-up system immediately commands the gate to open and
remain open, or 2) when a power failure occurs, the back-up system remains in a stand-by mode until a command from either a wireless transmitter or manual switch is received to open the gate. (DoorKing 1601 operators
automatically raise the barrier arm to the up position upon a power failure). In the second option, it is important to note that the radio receiver is powered from the batteries which allows the receiver to remain in
operation during a power failure. This design feature assures that any emergency vehicle using the wireless transmitter method of entry will be capable of commanding the gate open even during power outages.
Back-up systems in vehicular gate operators provide a trickle charge to the batteries during normal operation. It is advisable that maintenance personnel and property managers check these system on a monthly basis to
assure that the batteries are in good condition and have enough power to open the gate. Batteries in these systems are good, on average, for about two years before they will need to be replaced.
Situation 3 - Power Failure and Back-Up System Failure
This is the "worst case" scenario which must be addressed during the design of the vehicular gate access system. In other words,
system designers and installers must assume that at some point in time there will be a primary power failure and the back-up system will fail to open the gate because of dead or low charged batteries or because of some
other back-up system component failure. This worse case also applies to operators that have no back-up system installed.
Under these circumstances, the gate operator must assume a "FAIL-SAFE"
mode. Simply stated, the operator "fails" in a safe condition allowing the gate to be manually pushed open without the need for any keys, cranks, or other mechanical devices. This is an essential feature for both emergency and non-emergency vehicles. Obviously, emergency vehicle personnel cannot waste time looking for keys, cranks, or attempting to force the gate open with bolt cutters, the "jaws of life" or other mechanical devices. They also cannot wait for maintenance personnel to arrive to activate gate release mechanisms which are most likely on the
inside of the gate. Likewise, apartment and gated communities cannot allow a situation to develop where residents are "locked" out of their homes.
Many Fire Department regulations require
that "fail-safe" gate operators be installed to allow emergency vehicle access during power outages. In Los Angeles, California for example, the Fire Department requirement for power operated gates
specifically states: "In the event of a power failure, the gate/gates shall automatically open, or the gate must be capable of being pushed open without additional steps having to be performed."
In Orange County (CA.), Fire Department Requirements state: "The design and operation of all electrically operated gates shall be as follows: The gate control shall be operable by an approved emergency
override key switch which is an integral part of the mechanism. In the event of a power failure, the gate shall automatically transfer to a fail-safe mode allowing the gate to be pushed open without the use of special
knowledge or any equipment."
