The Bison Guide to Swing Gates: Types, Benefits & Uses

Swing gates can be a highly effective way to boost perimeter security. Combining robust entry prevention with seamless control, a swing gate gives you flexibility over who has access to your property.

Over the last few years, the UK has seen a significant rise in unwanted or nuisance parking on private land. In particular, private car parks for the use of staff and customers have been used to park and even dump unwanted vehicles.

Although local authorities can take action against nuisance parking on public highways, companies are typically responsible for monitoring parking on their own land. Due to this, perimeter security is now one of the most invested areas of a property for businesses, particularly those with staff parking. Sometimes, traditional parking bollards solve the issue.

However, more often a more robust and secure solution is needed. Here we walk through what we consider a great solution for this problem: the Swing Gate.

Swing gate in car park

How They Work

Our heavy-duty swing gate is manually operated, which means it’s easy to control access to your site. Once installed, you simply release the self-latching catch to swing the gate open. To close, a light push or pull on the gate will restore it to a closed position and the self-latching catch will secure the gate to the post.

For optimal security, a padlock can be used to affix the gate to the post, which will prevent anyone from opening the gate.

If you choose, you can also install an additional post to enable the gate to be locked in an open position. Again, a padlock can be applied here so that no one is able to close the gate without prior authorisation.

Swing Gate Uses & Common Applications

A swing gate is versatile and flexible, which means it’s a popular form of perimeter security in a range of commercial environments. When you want to restrict vehicular access to a particular site or a specific part of the land, a swing gate is the ideal choice. Common applications include:

  • Public car parks
  • Office blocks and complexes
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Underground car parks
  • Government and military facilities
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Industrial sites and warehouses

Unique Benefits

Swing gates offer a variety of benefits when it comes to securing commercial sites, including:

Low Maintenance

A manual swing gate requires minimal maintenance, particularly if you opt for a galvanised steel gate. The zinc-alloy coating provides extra protection against rust, which increases the longevity of the gate and reduces maintenance requirements.

Flexible Access Control

Swing gates are ideal for sites where access is required at certain times of the day. At an industrial site, for example, you may want to lock a swing gate in an open position when workers are arriving and lock the gate closed to secure the car park when all staff are on site.

Alternatively, companies may want to leave the gate open during operating hours but close the gate and secure the site overnight.

Browse our dedicated range of car park bollards and safety measures.

Low Cost

A heavy-duty swing gate provides a high level of security at a relatively low cost. When compared to other forms of perimeter security, this type of gate is often the most cost-effective option. What’s more – its minimal maintenance requirements mean you won’t need to invest a lot to keep your gate in optimal condition.

Swing Gates vs Other Types of Perimeter Security

There are numerous options when it comes to physical perimeter security but it’s hard to beat the simplicity and functionality of swing gates. While fencing can be used when a permanent barrier is required, this won’t provide flexible access.

Bollards are a great option for commercial sites, and retractable, fold-down or automatic bollards do offer flexibility. However, you may need multiple bollards to restrict access across a larger area, such as a roadway or driveway.

In contrast, our swing gate is available in widths of up to 7 metres, with double gates also available for wider areas.

Types of Swing Gates

Before you decide which swing gate is right for your site, it’s important to consider all of the options, including:

Automatic Swing Gates

An automated swing gate can offer increased convenience, but these types of gates are typically more expensive than manual options and they require more maintenance. Furthermore, they may not be suitable for sites where a large number of vehicles will need to gain access. In a car park, for example, hundreds of vehicles may be entering the site and issuing relevant access control fobs or codes to each user may be time-consuming and complicated.

Single-Barrier Swing Gates

Some swing gates feature a single barrier which can be a deterrent that prevents vehicles from trying to gain access to your premises. However, these types of gates are relatively easy to breach and are not generally as robust as heavy-duty dual-arm gates.

Manual Swing Gates

A manually operated swing gate offers a great mix of convenience and security, which is why they are such a popular option at commercial sites. For example, our heavy-duty swing gates offer robust protection while allowing easy access to authorised vehicles. Available as single gates in widths ranging from 3 – 7 metres, as well as double gates for wider entryways, you can secure virtually any commercial site and enjoy complete peace of mind.

Contact Us

As experts in security, we’re always on hand to help you find the best physical security measures for your site. To learn more about our heavy-duty swing gate or to order other security measures for your site, contact our team now on 01708 956833 or submit a contact form.