Fencing Gates

Otter Fencing don’t just install fences, we have been installing gates to complement our quality fence installations for more than 60 years.

Gates are commonly fitted to round or square gate posts, but can also be installed to other solid structures such as; tilt slab or block walls to allow the gate/s to swing freely without hindrance. Unless specified, gates are supplied and fitted with gate hardware to enable locking for security purposes and also fittings such as; drop bolts, shoot bolts or latches to keep gates open or closed.

Gates are required to have sufficient clearance to maintain security when closed and set at a height that allows the gate to swing without scraping kerbs and other obstacles on the ground.

All Otter Fencing gates are custom made to suit the exact opening, height and profile finish to suit your requirements.

If you have a straightforward job or even the most difficult job, we will equally apply our professional advice and expertise to make sure you have complete satisfaction.

Just give our experienced Fencing and Gate consultants a call on (03) 8791 2000 to solve your fencing and gate requirements. We would be pleased to assist you with our expert advice.

There are various gate types which Otter Fencing can supply and install, depending on your specific application.

Gate Types

Swing or Hinged Gates

Swing or Hinged gates can be either single or a double swing gate design, with single gates mostly commonly providing access for pedestrians and double gates vehicles. Where space is an issue there Otter Fencing also offer Bi-fold gates, where the gate leaves are divided into two to fold back on themselves.

When installing swing gates it is critical that the right size gate posts and hinges are installed. Too often, we see instances where gates have been installed with gate posts that are insufficient to support the gates and/or the gate hinges installed are not suitable to handle the weight or duty cycle of the gate/s. When we install our swing gates, we ensure gates are installed to withstand possible wind loading, duty cycle and the weight of the gate/s.

Emergency Egress Pedestrian Gates

Otter Fencing are well known for their robust angle iron frame emergency egress pedestrian gates, which are most commonly fitted with a lever handle mortice lock to comply with all fire escape regulations. The gates are commonly clad with either chain-link fabric or 358 high security welded mesh. The major benefit of the Otter Fencing angle iron doorframe design is they are built to last which avoids future adjustment, which is common with inferior designed emergency egress single gates.

The gates are often fitted with a premium Samson branded hydraulic door closer, which is the only door closer on the market design for external use.

Sliding Gates

Sliding Gates have become increasingly popular over the years for a variety of reasons, mainly because they save space, as sliding gates open and close along the fence line, the space behind the gates remains usable, which often means car parks are not lost. Wind loads are less of a factor with sliding gates versus swing gates and sliding gates are generally more affordable due mainly to the fact that if automated, only one and not two gate motors are required.

There are a few different types of sliding gates too, these include the traditional sliding gate with a raised metal ground track which is either bolted to a concrete slab or plinth or in some instance the metal ground track is set into the concrete slab or plinth. Another option is to install a RHS steel beam installed along the fence line, on the surface of the ground to house the ground track. This option is commonly used when retrofitting a sliding gate when the existing fence is already in place so as not to disturb the concrete footings associated with the fence posts.

• • Cantilever Sliding Gates are another option and are considered the “Rolls Royce” of sliding gates. There is no ground track required across the gate opening, which has a number of performance benefits; no maintenance of the ground track required, no chance of the ground track being damage, vehicles such as forklifts can drive through the gate opening without obstruction and there is no need to install a costly concrete or bitumen driveway.

  • Concertina (aka Telescopic) Sliding Gates, which have mostly 2 no. sliding gate leaves, but can have 3 no. gate leaves are installed when there is not enough space available for the gate to retract fully into.
    Click here to watch a video of a Concertina Sliding Gate in action – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh8-8iRuu2k

  

• Overhead Track Sliding Gates as the name suggests are sliding gates which are supported via an overhead sliding gate track. The steel track is shaped to suit carriage wheels that supports the sliding gate and allows it to operate. The posts that support the overhead sliding track have baseplates complete with floor guides and stops to guide and support the base of the gate.

  Overhead sliding gates are commonly installed within warehouses, factories, in front of pallet racking or services and storage cages where swing or hinged gates are suitable due to space being an issue.

  Overhead Track Sliding Gates are mostly constructed with a galvanised pipe frame and clad with chain-link fabric.

Which Sliding Gate?

When choosing which sliding gate is best for your application, it is important to consider the following:-

• Is the gate opening level across the opening, or is the ground sloped?
• What sort of vehicles will be driving through the entrance, i.e. car or trucks?
• How much space is available for the gate to slide back?
• What is the surface of the driveway? Is it gravel, concrete or bitumen?
• What is the expected volume of vehicles driving through the entrance per day, which is also known as the duty cycle?
• Is it suitable to have a ground track across the gate opening?
• Do you need clear access over head?

It is important that sliding gates are fitted with quality sliding gate wheels that are designed to suit the weight of the sliding gate, along with suitable top guide roller wheels or bottom guides to support and guide the sliding gate.

Vehicle Barrier Gates

Vehicle Barrier Gates (aka Hinged Pipe Boom Gates) are commonly installed at City Council reserves and parks to restrict vehicle access.

The Vehicle Barrier Gates are most commonly made with a 40mm NB (48.3mm OD) or 50mm NB (60.3mm OD) galvanized pipe outer frame, with smaller diameter pipe used for internal bracing. There are various designs available, but essentially all do the same job.

All Vehicle Barrier Gates come with a locking device to secure the gate in the closed position. It is also common to have a post installed in the open position for the gate to be locked into the open position. The common reason for this is when sporting events are being staged and access is required throughout the day. It prevents kids from swinging on the gate or the gate closing onto vehicles driving through the gate opening.