Swing gate kit recommendations

[speccy]

I am looking at double swing gate kit for my property, at my old place i installed a Came sliding gate kit, worked ok mostly. Anyway i see many more manufacturers pushing them now, i want a swing gate kit for my wooden gates which are quite heavy i guess made of softwood 1.8m wide by 1.8m tall one needs to open just over 90degrees also. Im reading 24v kits better and better control, apart from that not sure, any recommendations appreciated thanks.

 

[endecotp]

Do please pay attention to the safety issues with electrically-operated gates.

Powered gates - HSE

Includes an overview on powered gates, the basics for safety, legal responsibilities and esnuring powered doors and gates are safe.

www.hse.gov.uk

Ensuring powered doors and gates are safe - HSE

www.hse.gov.uk

 

[SUNRAY]

I am looking at double swing gate kit for my property, at my old place i installed a Came sliding gate kit, worked ok mostly. Anyway i see many more manufacturers pushing them now, i want a swing gate kit for my wooden gates which are quite heavy i guess made of softwood 1.8m wide by 1.8m tall one needs to open just over 90degrees also. Im reading 24v kits better and better control, apart from that not sure, any recommendations appreciated thanks.

This is not a DIY job, even if you have done it before... prosecutions have been made, including on a gate some 100-200 yards along a private drive and one fairly similarly sited within a farm (which I believe was installed with all the proper safety features, which I use to gain access to a radio tower) was fairly recently decommissioned by court order.

 

[speccy]

Do please pay attention to the safety issues with electrically-operated gates.

Powered gates - HSE

Includes an overview on powered gates, the basics for safety, legal responsibilities and esnuring powered doors and gates are safe.

www.hse.gov.uk

Ensuring powered doors and gates are safe - HSE

www.hse.gov.uk

Thanks for your input – I appreciate the concern around gate safety, i am not in anyway a 'have a go' diyer by any means.

Just to reassure you, I’m a qualified and experienced engineer with a solid background in electrical systems, risk mitigation, and installation best practices. Safety has always been a priority in every job I take on, and on further research one of my potential choice will be to go with the BFT Phobos Veloce BT B35 24V (wasn’t made lightly and still not completely decided)

I specifically opted for a 24V system for the following safety and functional reasons:

Obstacle Detection: 24V gate kits like the BFT Phobos BT range support sensitive amperometric obstacle detection, meaning the motor reverses or stops immediately when resistance is sensed – a key protection against crushing. (not in any way doubting your knowledge more for other readers as im sure you're aware of this)

Safe Low Voltage: The 24V system provides an inherently safer voltage level for domestic installations, especially where children or the public may be nearby.

Battery Backup Compatibility: In the event of a power cut, the system can run via battery backup, keeping access secure and safe, especially important on a residential setup.

EN12453 Compliance: I’ve ensured the installation is being carried out with adherence to EN12453, covering safe forces, edge protection, photocells, and manual release mechanisms.

I’m also using safety accessories like photocells, and of course manual release keys (well documented in location for house dwellings), with also given due consideration on positioning and operating logic mitigate the risk of entrapment or misoperation.

So while I always value feedback from fellow enthusiasts, rest assured this is being done responsibly, professionally, and with a full appreciation of the safety standards involved.

 

[speccy]

This is not a DIY job, even if you have done it before... prosecutions have been made, including on a gate some 100-200 yards along a private drive and one fairly similarly sited within a farm (which I believe was installed with all the proper safety features, which I use to gain access to a radio tower) was fairly recently decommissioned by court order.

I personally installed my previous sliding gate system, complete with crush strips, trip sensors, and torque-sensing logic. That installation is still running reliably today, used daily by the new owners, with the only fault ever being down to a few winter leaves not being cleared properly from the rail from time to time.

At the time, I had three young children running around, so yes, I was (and still am) highly risk-aware and built the system accordingly. Safety wasn’t an afterthought, it was a design priority.

I’ll also say this: over the years, I’ve encountered more than a few “qualified” or “certified” installers whose work I’ve had to inspect, fix, or flag some of whom frankly shouldn’t be wiring a plug, let alone fitting powered systems.

A badge alone doesn’t make someone competent. Real safety comes from a deep understanding of the risks, sound engineering principles, and the discipline to apply best practices rigorously, every time. Competence isn’t about a logo on a van either, it’s about skill, experience, and doing things properly.That’s the standard I hold myself to, regardless of who’s watching.

So I respectfully disagree with the notion that only a badge makes an install safe. It's about the individual, their grounding in the fundamentals, and their commitment to doing things right.

Are you a qualified fitter?

 

[flameport]

If you are buying a kit, note that the kits never include all of the safety devices required, so there will inevitably be more items needed in addition to whatever the kit contains.

There isn't much to choose between the manufacturers, most sensors/edges and the like are compatible with the majority of controllers, unless you go for bus signalling types such as the efforts made by Nice which will lock you into that manufacturers expensive items forever.

1.8m wide by 1.8m

If they are solid timber (no gaps) then there will be problems with wind loading, and that will severely limit the choice of motors.
If they are slatted or have other open parts then most motors will be suitable.

 

[SUNRAY]

Are you a qualified fitter?

No, which is why I wouldn't install something which is so highly regulated and jumped on very rapidly when required and why I described as

This is not a DIY job,

Are you a qualified fitter?
.

 

[speccy]

This is not a DIY job.

Are you a qualified fitter?

I think you've made that assumption already?

 

[speccy]

If you are buying a kit, note that the kits never include all of the safety devices required, so there will inevitably be more items needed in addition to whatever the kit contains.

There isn't much to choose between the manufacturers, most sensors/edges and the like are compatible with the majority of controllers, unless you go for bus signalling types such as the efforts made by Nice which will lock you into that manufacturers expensive items forever.


If they are solid timber (no gaps) then there will be problems with wind loading, and that will severely limit the choice of motors.
If they are slatted or have other open parts then most motors will be suitable.

Great advice thankyou, something i didn't have to worry about so much on the sliding gates installed before.
The kit i am looking at according to Wind loading parameter for my gates (no gaps) is good for Gusts up to 20m/s (Gale Force eight) so i may look at electromagnetic fastening also, over time this wind resonance translated through the gates onto the mechanism joints could start to cause unwanted wear.

 

[ericmark]

This changed everything

In 2010, Semelia Campbell, a six-year-old girl, was tragically killed in Manchester when she was crushed by an automated gate. The incident occurred at her home on Carnival Place, where the gate, intended for secure parking, malfunctioned, trapping her between the gate and a wall. The company responsible, Cheshire Gates and Automation Ltd, later admitted corporate manslaughter.

Note the firm specialised in fitting automated gates, not an electrician fitting a kit, and before that I had fitted automated gates, garage doors etc. After that case, it all stopped for most firms, not sure if this was good, as it left a gap which some less responsible firms have filled, and we hear on these pages about garage doors with no access should the power fail.

I think you've made that assumption already?

Sorry yes, once someone asks advice, we assume they have asked because they don't know, so are not trained in that field, there are of course exceptions, and you do seem to understand the risks, personally I would still not fit them on my own property, as simply not insured. I could not afford a £50k fine if I got it wrong. I know the BBC account does blame the fitters for not reading the instructions, but court cases always seem to say that, and I am sure the installers thought they had done it correct until the accident.

I watched my father-in-law with his garage door, theory was good, practice he had the fob for closing the door just inside the house door, and would not monitor it closing, so it sometimes failed to close, and sometimes trapped cats. That was down to how he used it, not poor installation.

Let's face it, if we could anticipate what we have done could cause an accident we would not do it. It's the things we never thought could happen, and I would want insurance to cover that.

 

[speccy]

This changed everything

Note the firm specialised in fitting automated gates, not an electrician fitting a kit, and before that I had fitted automated gates, garage doors etc. After that case, it all stopped for most firms, not sure if this was good, as it left a gap which some less responsible firms have filled, and we hear on these pages about garage doors with no access should the power fail.

Sorry yes, once someone asks advice, we assume they have asked because they don't know, so are not trained in that field, there are of course exceptions, and you do seem to understand the risks, personally I would still not fit them on my own property, as simply not insured. I could not afford a £50k fine if I got it wrong. I know the BBC account does blame the fitters for not reading the instructions, but court cases always seem to say that, and I am sure the installers thought they had done it correct until the accident.

I watched my father-in-law with his garage door, theory was good, practice he had the fob for closing the door just inside the house door, and would not monitor it closing, so it sometimes failed to close, and sometimes trapped cats. That was down to how he used it, not poor installation.

Let's face it, if we could anticipate what we have done could cause an accident we would not do it. It's the things we never thought could happen, and I would want insurance to cover that.

Eyes wide open is the term, and yes already aware of this very sad case and many more.

A case in example in fact on this occassion Hormann doors, i decided to go for a reputable make and use a 'Horman Dealer' to install.
The site survey caused me some concern but i instead attempted to ignore my OCD nags.
The fitters arrived and messed up the install made some very rudimentary errors and left. I enquired to Hormann direct, to which it transpired this company was not a registered supplier but in fact buying off one, to which they were fully aware. When i pressed them further on the standards and safety issues raised this was their reply:

"Firstly, I have to state that we do not sell our products to the general public and only through our approved Trade Partners. When end consumers do contact us over any queries or concerns we can we can only work closely with the Trade Partner on giving advice, guidance and support to come to a resolution that suits all. Ultimately, as your contract is with them we have to let them take the lead and decide what is best for all parties involved."

Can you actually believe that reply? No i couldn't either. It happens time over, i had the same issue with a well known plumbing trade association, again 'safety is of paramount concern' is absolutely not the case, one of their 'fully paid members' could have killed one of my youngsters due to dangerous wiring. When i presented the case in question no action was taken despite a written report from a qualified electrician and manufacturer of the boiler installer report.

Whilst i agree your point you are making you wouldn't want to risk a fine for killing/injuring someone after being found negligent. However, be aware, and this is something unfortunely i have had to explain to too many companies too many times, If you're negligent, meaning you failed to follow safety standards, ignored risks, or made a poor installation decision that caused harm, you are personally liable, regardless of certification. You will find in this situation insurance companies can also be adept in sidestepping any liability.

So it boils down to, paying someone else, relieving yourself of the worry that IF the gate ends up chopping your loved one or someone else in half, at least you don't have to pay the fine?
Or oversee that the gate has been installed correctly and has absolutely followed all risk mitigation steps to minimise any eventual outcome that could be life changing to the injured person/fitter, ive been here many times requesting additional information on missing checks or controls, ive had tradesmen walk away, quite a few times, why? Because in their eyes they only ever priced the job on their standards and not necessarily what the customer should be rightly recieve as an end product.

On another sad note i see a 787 dreamliner has crashed with many lost souls, looks on paper to be something simple like Flaps were not extended despite landing gear down, a glaring obvious mistake that trained pilots and rigourous process should have never allowed, unfortunely most of the time despite all the training and certification, these incidents are normally human error(i am not blaming the pilots but right now i would bet on human error)

 

[ericmark]

Yes, in the interview over Part P, it was pointed out there were more under 65's diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than were kicked off the scheme, but one would hope at least some people would stop trading without being forced?

We could see my father-in-law was not fit to drive, but the doctor refused to tell him that, these things happen.

And yes, saw the gas safe guy seal a flue with gaffa-tape which pealed off next time used.

99% of poor design or workmanship does not result in injury, or court cases, and when cases are reported I have thought there by grace of god go I, the one I am thinking of was using an electricians mate to take a reading from an installation, I would not have said plugging a tester in, pressing the button, and writing down the reading was beyond the skill of an electricians mate. But the court did.

However, I have had people I work with ask me how do I XYZ. And latter I have visited the house, to be proudly shown their work, and it was not what I had told them to do, as to if my fault in the way explained, or their fault in not doing what I had said, it does not matter, what does matter was it was done wrong.

I have made mistakes, one was I had not considered what would happen if a sliding shuttle were to stick, it was air powered, and the air built up and up until finally it moved, like a bullet train. Where normally it would slowly slide, and the operator had found a way to defeat my guards, and lost the end of his finger. I was told not my fault, but it was really, I had just not considered that fault with my risk assessment.

Neither, with my own accident, had I expected the other electrician to have removed the safety lock. So with things which can result in such accidents, think that help over a forum is not how it should be done.

 

[speccy]

Yes, in the interview over Part P, it was pointed out there were more under 65's diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than were kicked off the scheme, but one would hope at least some people would stop trading without being forced?

We could see my father-in-law was not fit to drive, but the doctor refused to tell him that, these things happen.

And yes, saw the gas safe guy seal a flue with gaffa-tape which pealed off next time used.

99% of poor design or workmanship does not result in injury, or court cases, and when cases are reported I have thought there by grace of god go I, the one I am thinking of was using an electricians mate to take a reading from an installation, I would not have said plugging a tester in, pressing the button, and writing down the reading was beyond the skill of an electricians mate. But the court did.

However, I have had people I work with ask me how do I XYZ. And latter I have visited the house, to be proudly shown their work, and it was not what I had told them to do, as to if my fault in the way explained, or their fault in not doing what I had said, it does not matter, what does matter was it was done wrong.

I have made mistakes, one was I had not considered what would happen if a sliding shuttle were to stick, it was air powered, and the air built up and up until finally it moved, like a bullet train. Where normally it would slowly slide, and the operator had found a way to defeat my guards, and lost the end of his finger. I was told not my fault, but it was really, I had just not considered that fault with my risk assessment.

Neither, with my own accident, had I expected the other electrician to have removed the safety lock. So with things which can result in such accidents, think that help over a forum is not how it should be done.

OK so i think you've digressed somewhat to missing the OP request, i didn't proclaim i am a 'winging it DIY'er' and would like detailed instructions 'how do i wipe back to front or front to back' etc on the ins n outs of installing a potential death trap powered gate kit.

I only asked for some recommendations on a current list of decent powered gate manufacturers, not for a fireside confessional and a history of British health & safety fails .

As I mentioned already.. whether you’re certified, experienced, or just plain sensible, what matters is doing a safe and proper install that meets the right standards. That’s exactly why I’m researching carefully and asking for good kit options.

Would be great if we could keep this thread useful for others too, actual info about the best kits, rather than who had the worst gas engineer or Part P interview.

No i purely asked for recommended manufacturers as it had been a few years since i fitted my last, back then "Came, seemed to be pretty decent has anything changed?" That was a crux of my question. That was it.

I didn't swagger in like a danger to society like most teenagers are, proclaim to you (aka the sensible parent) 'you know nuffing' and then proceed to be a liability. To which you would rightly so give me a proverbial clip round the ear and perhaps a few life lessons.

So. The lectures and life lessons are not needed thanks all the same.

And if you honestly believe your existence on here hasn't been about helping others on a forum, you need help.

 

[sparkymarka]

The CAME 24v operators are good ,clear lcd display on the control board for programming and option to battery back the gates , got a couple on a site and they have been faultless

 

[Taylortwocities]

OK so i think you've digressed somewhat to missing the OP request

But that’s what this, and other forums, specialise in!