Business Security Information

A variety of different swing arm gates, similar to the ones in the pictures, are used to secure the entry points to lots and storage yards at a variety of businesses.  I have seen them at businesses such as lumber yards, a variety of dealerships, storage yards used by contractors, entrances to fairgrounds, and other similar types of businesses.  In the majority of cases, I have seen one or more things done that make this type of security barrier less effective.  To maximize their effectiveness, businesses should consider the following:

1. Padlocks used should have a shielded shackle or an unexposed shackle.  This will reduce the opportunity to use bolt cutters to cut the shackle part of the padlock.
2. Padlocks should be locked on an open swing arm gate.  Looking at the second picture, you can see that the padlock used is left open or unlocked after the swing arm gate has been open during the business day.  This is a seemingly harmless issue; however, it is a serious security breach. During the business day, it would be easy for someone to replace your padlock with a similar one to which they have their own key.  They could easily come back later and use their own key to open the padlock.  They have then bypassed the swing arm gate.  Upon leaving they could then put your padlock back on the swing arm gate and lock the gate.  You would not know how someone got into the lot or storage yard because the gate is locked with your lock when you open the next business day.  The only way you can prevent someone from removing your padlock on the open swing arm gate is to lock the padlock after you open the gate.
3. Use security cable with the padlock.   As you can also see in the picture, the business is using a chain with a padlock to secure the swing arm gate.  Both chain and cable can be cut, but it takes a little longer with cable.  If you want additional security, you can also get a good quality chain and string the security cable in and out of the chain links and then lock them with the padlock.
4. Make sure the swing arm gate is secured to the hinges, and the hinges are secured to the posts used for the swing arm gate.  I have seen a few swing arm gates using hinges that allow you to lift the swing arm gate right out of the hinges, defeating the purpose of the swing arm gate.
5. Make sure you secure the posts properly in the ground.  If someone can push the post over with a vehicle or by hand, the swing arm gate is useless.

Swing arm gates can be an effective security tool, but they must be used with adequate attention to detail.

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1. Gate Security
2. Perimeter Security Details
3. Jamb Pins: Better Exterior Door Security