You’re Guide to Buying a Vehicle barriers

You’re Guide to Buying a Vehicle barriers 

Whether you need to enhance security at a building or increase safety at a specific locale or job site, you will need vehicle boom barriers to help you achieve your goal. Access control is the mechanism that is used for controlling, restricting and monitoring the movement of assets, vehicles and people in or out any building. A drop arm Automatic Boom Barrier is commonly used for controlling the unauthorized entries of any personnel while enforcing access control system. It assures that one token one-person policy is followed 24 x 7. The levels of security that a boom barrier offers depends on style and type of products being used. For example, if the Automatic boom barrier is used with a lockable sliding gate, then it is easier to keep a check on each and every person or vehicle entering. You should know that these are not meant to be used as a pedestrian passage, as a boom barrier is a horizontal bar that is positioned on a pivot that moves up and down. This technology can also be integrated with other systems like visitor management, ANPR, CCTV, BMS and more which eventually saves costs and offer better security services.

If you are a system integrator or gate automation installer or even a gate barrier distributor (like SSA Integrate), it is important to know how to select the best gate barrier system on behalf of the customer. Majority of the datasheets and catalogues are not really useful unless you already know what you are getting into.

What Are Vehicle Barriers? 

Vehicle barriers refer to any device that causes cars to slow down, usually purposefully but not necessarily. They are most often used in areas with high pedestrian traffic, especially when children and seniors make up a large portion of that pedestrian traffic, such as schools/ roads zones. However, you can find them in many places, including highway mediums, parking lots, railroad crossings, commercial districts, private communities, and construction sites. 

What Are Boom Barriers?

A boom barrier, also known as a boom gate, is a bar, or pole pivoted to allow the boom to block vehicular or pedestrian access through a controlled point. Typically the tip of a boom gate rises in a vertical arc to a near vertical position. Boom gates are often counterweighted, so the pole is easily tipped.

What are the primary benefits of an Automatic boom barrier?

1. Enhanced Security:

Security is one of the most crucial things nowadays for residential and commercial buildings. When there is boom barrier installed, the gatekeeper can ensure that entry is given to the people based on their credentials. If a particular vehicle is blacklisted from entering the premises, then its entry can be easily blocked.

2. Traffic Flow can be Managed:

For controlling the flow of traffic on and off your property boom gates are the best option. If your space has limited parking, then also boom barrier can be a great help to maintain the number of vehicles. When the parking is full, you can prevent any more vehicles from entering the premises.

3. Efficient Use of Space:

With a boom gate, you can make the efficient use of space because installing sliding gates or swinging gates needs larger area. A boom barrier requires a small amount of vertical space in order to swing upwards. The most important thing is to get the boom barrier installed from a service that does the job once and for all.

What you should consider before buying a vehicle barrier?

At SSA Integrate, we always strive to share our research and learnings with our customers and the gate automation professional community. Here is our attempt to provide you with a checklist that captures the essential questions and the likely answers to look for. This guide must help you avoid the common mistakes and traps that the uninformed fall into.

The questions are presented under

1.   What is your use case?

2.   What are the physical attributes?

3.   How do you want to control access to the facility?

4.   Safety features to consider

5.   Additional features to consider

What is your applications?

Before purchasing a boom gate, one has to decide where it will be installed, and the operating model. There are boom gates that are specifically designed for a simple application like parking areas, traffic control to the large railway and industrial crossings. It is necessary to understand the application, space availability and use frequency.

If you are system integrator ask Your Customer

1.    Is it for commercial or industrial or residential use?

2.    Is it for heavy traffic or low traffic area?

For high-frequency and limited space

Buying a barrier gate for under-ground or multistoried car parking lots presents the challenge of limited space and high-frequency usage. Most of these structures need continuous opening and closing of barrier gates. Some of the must-have requirements for these facilities are – 100% duty cycle, arm articulation and easy access control system integration.

Magnetic Access Pro barrier has 3.5m width boom and improved opening and closing time, that can be adjusted to 1.3, 1.8, or 2.5 seconds independently of one another.

For high frequency wider space

For the installation at traffic junctions and toll gates on highways, there is a requirement for barriers that support the lifting of extended boom lengths. They are required to block access to tunnels and lanes but also to manage traffic junctions with alternating traffic flows. Some of the must-have features you should look for include – 100% duty cycle, Traffic lamp integration, support for extended beam sizes.

Magnetic Traffic H1 Horizontal Barrier has multiple application for high frequency wider space.

Magnetic Access XXL Barrier are excellent for extra-wide or multi-lane entrances and comes with MHTM™ drive capability. With its barrier width of up to 10m and the optional security grating or security grating with climb-over prevention Access XXL offers range of functions.

Magnetic Access XL2 Barrier are ideal for extra-wide or multi-lane entrances and comes with optional security grating or security grating with climb-over prevention. The opening and closing time for Access XL2 can be set at 6, 8, or 10 seconds independent of one another.

For long life and energy efficiency

Commercial use barrier gates are used very frequently and require constant energy supply. Two most important features required by the barriers operating in such operational environments are long operational life and energy efficiency.

What is the duty cycle?

The duty cycle for an automated gate operator is the number of times the gate can open and close without overheating the motor. Duty cycle is normally expressed in percentage. 100% duty cycle is meant for continuous use, eg: high intensive use cases like a shopping mall, toll plaza etc.

There are two most common categorisations: Residential (40-70% duty cycle) and commercial (100% duty cycle). As you can imagine, a gate barrier in a mall will be used much more time than one in an apartment. When calculating the required duty cycle, calculate for the worst-case scenario.

If you are system integrator ask Your Customer

1.    What is the average usage (open/close cycle) per day? (consider worst-case scenario)

What is Barrier Operator?

Barrier operators mostly come housed in the barrier body mounted on the floor or foundation plate. The barrier operator usually comes with a motor that operates on either hydraulic or electromechanical motors. Some latest products like FAAC b680H also have hybrid motor technology with a Hydraulic Brushless motor in one barrier operator. Hydraulic motors are usually more suitable for heavy-duty, high frequency usage.

Hydraulic vs Electromechanical Motor

Hydraulic Motor

·        Hydraulic controllers are very reliable and pose very few maintenance issues if installed properly.

·        They are a very effective deterrent in case a vehicle runs into the barrier or in stopping tailgating vehicle.

·        Cold can be a problem; too cold weather can cause oil thickening in the hydraulic unit. However, this can be solved with a temperature control unit.

Electromechanical Motor

·        The electromechanical unit is much quieter than the hydraulic motor.

·        A bit slower than Hydraulic but they offer more control, one can set variable speed for how quickly the beam rises.

·        Most security professionals find the electro-mechanical unit easier to maintain.

·        The Electro-mechanical units require at least 220v/single-phase power, which is typically 12-15 more amps of power than what the hydraulic motor requires.

What are the physical attributes

Arm length

Boom gates come with different beam lengths and boom barrier shapes to suit the width of the passage you wish to control. Beam length from 2 metres to 12 to 13 metres, which are especially suitable for use when companies have oversized vehicles, such as mine sites and rail crossings. They come in round or rectangular shapes, wherein rectangular is a bit more expensive

If you are Customer ask Your Vendor / System Integrator

1.    What is the drive-way width?

Arm articulation

Arm articulation makes it possible to articulate the rigid beam to a maximum height according to the ceiling. They are used in parking garages or in areas with limited or low overhead clearances.

If you are system integrator ask Your Customer

1.    What is the height of the installation area or overhead clearance available?

How do you want to control

Barrier access control

Another most important requirement you need to decide is how you want to control the boom barrier – with reader, remote controller, or push button. They can be configured with UHF readers and tags, with a control switch for security officers, remote controllers and receivers, or with push buttons or biometrics.

Biometrics readers:

The barriers can be controlled with biometric-readers like fingerprint, face, Iris options.

Swipe Card Readers:

Access control via RFID cards. Type: Magnetic, proximity cards, and proximity cards with a magnetic stripe, key-chain FOB.

Support for GSM module:

This module helps you open the gate barrier remotely by making a call to the SIM inserted in the GSM module.

UHF readers & tags:

This feature allows the barrier to be opened when a vehicle approaches the barrier with authenticated tags.

Remote controller & receiver:

The barrier gates operated using the remote controller and a radio receiver installed in the barrier.

Switch to Exit Button:

For the facility security team to control the to and fro access.

If you are system integrator ask Your Customer

1.    What kind of access control is required to the facility – biometric or remote or ANPR or RFID tag or swipe card based?

2.    Is the entry/exit point manned, does the security team need an exit button for the manual opening?

Safety features to consider

Anti-crushing sensor

Gate boom barriers feature safety components like sensors for automatic detection of approaching vehicles, anti-crushing sensors that reverse the beam on impact if the barrier boom automatically closes on the vehicle. The anti-crushing sensor only stops repeated impact only after hitting the object once. That’s why you need to have an additional detection mechanism in place – Photocells.

Photocells

Photocells (motion sensors) are electronic devices that improve security by automatically detecting vehicles or obstacles to enable automatic rising of booms. This infrared setup will have a transmitter and receiver at each of the ends of the driveway and whenever an obstacle is detected the barrier will prevent the gate from closing and raise the barrier boom.

Micro Drive Break:

The barriers can also be equipped with a flange set (FLVB02) is designed especially for the parking industry. It enables the ejection of the whole barrier boom after it was hit by a vehicle. The beam can be simply reinstalled after the crash.

Loop detector

Barrier gates come with other solutions like vehicle detection loops (inductive loop), which are installed on the barrier that detects vehicles and passing or arriving at a certain point. The loop detectors are connected to create a magnetic field, and the vehicle is recognised when it enters this field.

Barrier Housing

The barrier housing is attached by four foundation anchors via two attachment profiles. The housing of Magentic barrier is painted RAL 2000 and comes with an IP 54 protection rating.

Battery back-up

If you want the barrier to operate even at the time of main power failure. Look for a continuous duty cycle(in hours) supported by the battery backup.

Opening and closing speed

Most conventional barrier gates provide running speed from 1.5 seconds to 6 seconds.

If you are system integrator ask Your Customer

1.    What is the average opening time?

2.    Look for 1.5 seconds+

The shape of the boom/beam

Magnetic offers a variety of boom lengths, numerous extras like illumination elements and expansion sets, allowing the tailored implementation of Magnetic barriers for various uses. The booms come with skirt elements made of plastic and aluminium, over-climb protection and break-away flange. The types of booms offered include Varioboom, Microboom and Articulated booms. Also the round booms and soft booms. SSA Integrate will guide you what actually you need.

Support for modular beam/boom

What if the barrier needs more length than the standard beam length? When there is support for modular beams, the total length can be extended. Look for a boom extension set.

Colour of the gate barrier

Many manufacturers support your preferred colour for the enclosure. Ask for the supported colours.

International standards or regulations

Look for compliance with international standards (European/ISO) when it comes to safety and quality.

Maintenance and operating cost

You can always buy a cheap gate barrier but watch out for maintenance and operating cost. Operational cost is as important as the capital cost not just in terms of money but the availability of spare parts and technicians.

Enclosure rating

Gate barriers are of course installed outside and the motors and the other internal components should be protected from dust, water and other solid objects. Look for the international standard Ingress Protection(IP) ratings like IP 54 or IP 56.

Temperature Range

Again consider the worst-case scenario, watch out for maximum and minimum temperature tested and supported. Look for -20°C ÷ +55°C.

Integrated flashing traffic light and reflector kit

These optional modules help especially at night.

Anti-vandalism valve or Anti-panic unit

Most barriers come with safety features that stop forced opening or closing, and the anti-vandalism valve protects the hydraulic system in case the beam is forced. While an anti-panic unit is used for the manual opening of the barrier arm in the event of a power failure. Since an anti-vandalism valve prevents manual/forced movement of the beam, both anti-vandalism and anti-panic units cannot be installed together in a barrier system.

Pedestals

The pedestal is required when you need support for holding the access control device. For truck entry gates you need a dual height pedestal while a single height pedestal is used for car access. SSA Integrate will give you perfect solution as per your needs.

Buyer’s Checklist

You can find a checklist with the most important questions below:-

Type	Value
Application	Is it for commercial or industrial or residential use?
	Is it for heavy traffic or low traffic area?
Duty Cycle	What is the average usage (open/close cycle) per day?
Arm Length	What is the drive-way width?
Arm Articulation	What is the height of the installation area or overhead clearance available?
Access Control	Is the entry/exit point manned, does the security team need an exit button for the manual opening?
	What kind of access control is required to the facility – biometric or remote or ANPR or RFID tag or swipe card based?
Photocells	Do you need automatic detection of vehicles to avoid collisions?
Loop detector	Do you need to automate vehicle exit?
Shape/Color	Do you need customised barriers?
Integrated flashing light	Is there a need for integrated flashing light?
Reflector kit	Is the reflector kit included in the barrier package?
Anti-vandalism valve	Is there a chance of forced operation?
Anti-panic	Manual opening in case of power supply failures?
Pedestals	What kind of vehicles are managed by the entry/exit point? Trucks or Cars?

Complete table of available accessories:-

Protocol	Access	Access Pro	Access L	Access Pro L	Access Pro H	Access XL2	Access XXL	Parking Pro	Magnetic Toll
Lane width up to 3.5m(toll 3.00m)	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Lane width up to 5.0m	–	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–
Lane width up to 6.0m	–	–	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–
Lane width up to 8.5m	–	–	–	–	–	✔	✔	–	–
Lane width up to 10.0m	–	–	–	–	–	–	✔	–	–
Usage with boom skirt	–	–	–	–	✔	✔	✔	–	–
Variable I/O assignment	–	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Fast opening speeds (<2.2 sec)	✔	✔	–	–	–	–	✔	✔	✔
Variable opening times	–	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Variable closing times	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Network connection*	–	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Integration of interfaces in the future	–	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Low ceiling height (articulated boom)	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–	–	✔	–
Parallel operation	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	–
Advertising space in barrier boom	–	✔	–	✔	–	–	–	✔	–
Usage with pedestrian traffic	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–
One standard colours	✔	–	✔	–	–	✔	✔	–	–
Three standard colours	–	✔	–	✔	✔	–	–	–	–
Special colours optionally available	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

 

Security Camera Input Setup

 Security Camera Input Setup

Artificial Intelligence (AI) security cameras are specialized network IP cameras that perform advanced analytical functions such as vehicle detection, person detection, face detection, traffic counting, people counting, and license plate recognition (LPR). These artificial intelligence functions are achieved using highly advanced video analytics software that is built-in to the camera and recorder they are connected to. AI cameras can be used as a stand-alone device by recording to an SD card, or they can be connected to a network video recorder (NVR) to create a multi-camera AI system that records to a central hard drive. Please note that only certain models are capable of license plate recognition / automated number plate recognition (ANPR).

A special characteristic some network video devices possess is an integrated input & output ports. This incorporation allows for the communication and interaction of external devices, such as but not limited to:

1.   Doorbells

2.   Switches

3.   Alarm System Relay

4.   Pressure strips

5.   Detectors (frequency, smoke, movement, sound, temperature, and humidity sensors)

All these functions can be achieved via:
1.   NVR/DVR (remote or local)
2.   Application through a smart device (Tablet or Phone)
3.   Computer (local or remote / software or browser)

 

Camera / DVR / NVR Alarm Input

Motion sensors / motion detectors can be integrated with video surveillance systems to provide additional security for buildings and also outdoor areas. For example, a PIR sensor (passive infrared) can be connected to the alarm input of a security camera DVR or IP camera NVR to trigger video recording and send an alert to the property owner that motion has been detected in a certain area.

When motion is detected by the motion sensor, it triggers the following alarm actions.
1.   Trigger video recording on the camera associated with the alarm.
2.   Enable the alarm output on channel one, where I have an alarm light attached (turn the strobe light on).
3.   Pop-up live video of the camera associated with the alarm on the DVR’s display monitor.

Here are some additional actions that can be triggered from an alarm input.
1.   Capture a still image snapshot.
2.   Send a push notification to the mobile app for iPhone & Android.
3.   Enable the alarm buzzer on the DVR / NVR.
4.   Send an email notification.

The inputs and outputs can be used to eliminate unnecessary recording of video or coincide with your alarm system to systematically create a reliable and accountable security source. When input and output mechanisms are triggered, you can (manually or automatically) request through the network video device that certain actions be performed over the network as well as trigger devices attached to the output ports. Example:

This example picture above shows a person interrupting a sensors function. This creates a signal that travels to the camera and the camera computes the message. The camera then functions as programmed and starts recording (snapshots or footage) to the delegated device while simultaneously triggers a relay to close. When the relay closes, it completes the circuit for the siren or strobe to activate. Another configuration (as long as the cameras capable), have the camera record to the desired method based on motion and simultaneously trigger the relay to set off the siren. In this example, a motion sensor is taken out of the equation.

Again, the above picture shows only one of many configurations. You can configure in whatever method you desire. Including or excluding recording methods based off of:

·        Motion (movement takes place)

·        Masking (the camera has been covered or obstructed significantly)

·        Video Loss (picture is no longer materializing, this feature is more prone to function correctly via a recorder or program)

Other devices that can be attached and configured to your I/O ports are as follows:

Device Type	Description	Occurrence of activation
Entry Contacts	Simple magnetic sensors detecting opening of doors, windows, gates and shutters.	When the circuit is broken (door is opened) the camera can record and/or send a snapshot and notifications
Motion Sensors	A sensor that detects motion either based on heat, light, or frequency	When motion is detected, the sensor breaks the circuit and  the camera can record and/or send a snapshot and notifications
Glass Break or Glass Shock Sensor	A sensor capable of distinguishing the sound/vibration of breaking glass and/or splintering wood.	When glass is  disturbed or shattered, the glass sensor breaks the circuit and the camera can record and/or send a snapshot and notifications
Pressure strip or switch	A pressure or switch sensor that are needed to interact with before gaining entry or exiting a premise or structure	When the sensor is triggered it breaks the circuit and the camera can record and/or send a snapshot and notifications

How-to Install Motion Detectors with a Security Camera System

Installing a motion detector and integrating it with a security camera system is fairly simple. CCTV Camera Pros supports professional and DIY installers. Most PIR motion sensors are 12V DC powered which gives installers the choice of using a individual 12V DC power supply or one of the ports on a multi-channel power supply box (the same ones used with security cameras).

In this first diagram, a single 12V DC power transformer is used. This is how it works.

1.   On the right side of the diagram, the alarm input / output panel of the DVR is shown. This is what the alarm panel on the back.

2.   18/2 gauge power cable connects the output of the motion detector to one of the alarm input ports on the DVR.

3.   18/2 gauge power cable is also used to connect the motion detector to an individual DC power supply.

4.   A PT-4 power lead connects the raw cables to the 3.1mm plug on the power supply.

Installation with Power Supply Box

A multi-channel power supply box can be used instead of an individual power supply.

This installation is the same as the one above using the single power supply. The only difference is the use of a multi-channel power supply box to power the motion detector. CCTV Camera Pros supplies many of these power boxes for security camera installations. These power boxes can be shared with cameras and 12V DC powered alarm sensors. Because power supply boxes use screw based wire terminals, there is no need to use a PT-4 power lead (as with the individual power supply installation). Same connection for Camera & NVR.

Most of Camera PIR motion sensor is located on the front of the camera, just below the camera lens. This motion sensor is designed to detect movement of human sized objects when they come into view of the camera’s lens. The camera has a 2.8-12mm varifocal lens which when adjusted to the widest angle (the 2.8mm setting) the camera provides a 109 degree horizontal field of view. The PIR sensor detects motion across a 100 degree field of view. Please note that if you adjust the lens to a more narrow field of view, this does not effect the area where the PIR sensor will detect motion.

In my experience, using a PIR sensor based motion detection is much more reliable than software based video motion detection (especially for outdoor video surveillance). Typically there are a lot of small moving objects outdoors which makes it difficult to get the sensitivity just right. When security cameras turn to night mode, there is typically some video noise because of the lack of light. This noise can cause false alarms when using video motion detection. A PIR sensor uses infrared light to measure the radiation reflected by objects in its view. When a certain amount of this radiation changes, the PIR sensor triggers an alarm, so they are not susceptible to some of the challenges of outdoor video motion detection.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about integrating PIR motion detectors with security camera systems.

·        How are motion detectors used with security camera systems?
The most common way to integrate a motion detector with a security camera system is to hard wire the motion detector to the same surveillance DVR that your security cameras are connected to. You must make sure that your DVR that has alarm inputs.

·        Can I just use motion detected from my security camera instead of an external motion sensor?
Yes, most DVRs support video motion detection triggered by cameras. Please note that this is different from PIR (passive infrared) motion detection and can be less reliable. Video motion detection tends to produce more false positives than PIR motion detection, especially in outdoor and infrared camera applications. This is because the video tends to be more noisy and outdoor environments tend to always have some motion from wind and other natural elements.

·        What type of cable is used to wire motion detectors to DVRs?
The following types of cable can be used to wire motion detectors: CAT-5 cable (one pair), 18/2 conductor power cable.

·        Do motion detectors require power?
Yes. Most PIR motion detectors use 12V DC power. All of ours include the proper power supply with them.

·        Can I use multiple motion detectors with my surveillance system?
Yes, as long as your DVR has multiple alarm input ports, you can use multiple motion detectors. Different model DVRs support different numbers of alarm inputs so consult the specification or contact us if you need help.

Not every camera or NVR/DVR possesses this unique features or can be operated through the above mentioned methods. Be sure you research everything you will need to make this type of setup successfully work for you. This includes the correct relays, power supplies, capable camera and recording devices. Most our IP mega pixel cameras and recorders have the capability of all previous mention features above.

If you are not understand, you can touch with us for further support. We deal Infinova, Hanwha, Milestone, Mirasys & Luxriot brand.