How we install bi-fold gates perfectly
Considering installing bi-fold gates on your commercial property? Think Expert Security UK.
Bi-fold gates are an excellent choice when it comes to security, efficiency, and space-saving access control. When securing a commercial site, installing a bi-fold gate can provide fast operation, a compact design, and enhanced safety features to ensure the smooth running of your day-to-day operations.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about our bi-fold security gate installation, from helping you choose the right gate and prepare for installation, to our detailed step-by-step installation process. When trusting in our expert installation services, this article will ensure you're well-informed for a smooth and secure setup.
What are bi-fold gates?
Our bifold gates, also known as bi-folding gates, are a type of security gate which open inwards and overlap on themselves to grant access to cars and often bigger vehicles. These gates can be both manual and automated, however automatic bi-fold gates are more commonly found in both commercial and residential projects.
Why install a bi-fold gate?
Bi-folding gates are becoming increasingly popular, due to their wide range of benefits - especially when it comes to commercial security, including:
Security, speed and space
Not only are bi-folding gates a great choice for ensuring authorised access and keeping your premises secure, by giving you both a physical barrier and control on who you let onto your property, this style of security gate also tends to be incredibly fast, allowing smoother traffic control - especially high-traffic areas.
Beyond security and speed, bi-folding gates are also incredibly space-efficient. As the gate folds inwards on itself, it takes up very little room on your site entry - especially when compared to swinging security gates that require a large arc for movement, or sliding security gates which need extensive lateral space when open - meaning you have more free area that can be utilised for parking, storage or other site activities.
Safety and compliance
Bi-folding gates, and automatic ones in particular, are also fitted with a number of safety features, from sensors to emergency stop functions and anti-crush mechanisms. Not only do these protect both vehicles and pedestrians, but it also helps your site meet regulatory compliance and standard requirements for health and safety.
Before installing a bifold gate
Before you choose to install a bi-fold security gate, ensure that it is the right gate for your premises. Whilst there is a lot to be said on swing gates vs. sliding gates, bi-folding security gates tend to sit in the middle - providing the best of both worlds.
If you think bi-folding gates are the best security solution for your commercial site, we suggest contacting our security gate specialists, who can come and assess the premises and your security concerns - ensuring you’re getting exactly what you need. This includes a full audit of your site and a complete risk assessment, assessing where your main security concerns lie and how much room you have to install and function a security gate. Your dedicated project manager will also consider where that sits within your budget - remembering that your budget should include product, installation and maintenance costs.
You may also need additional work done to your site before you install your gates, like concrete basing and ducting, for example, which is included in our automatic gate installation package.
Our step-by-step bi-fold security gate installation
When purchasing a security gate from Expert Security UK, gate installation comes as part of a packaged deal.
Interested in how we do it? Here’s a step-by-step guide that explains the entire process of our bi-fold security gate installation:
Step 1: Arrival on site
First, we arrive at your site with the entire bi-fold security gate kit, along with other essential tools we may need - no need to supply us with anything! Rest assured that we’ll also be wearing protective gear too, like a hard hat, reflective clothing, gloves, and goggles.
Step 2: Measure and prepare the opening
Once we have everything to hand, and have gone over your method statement with you to ensure everything is to go as planned, we will measure and prepare where the gate will be installed.
Here we will determine the exact width and height of the area in which the bi-fold gate will be installed, ensuring that the space is sufficient for the gate panels to fold and move freely. Then, we’ll mark the locations for hinges, brackets, and mounting points, checking the alignment with a level to ensure the gate is installed evenly.
If your chosen bi-fold gate is automatic, we will also need to ensure that there is a power source nearby.
Step 3: Install the hinges and mounting brackets
Next, we’ll install the hinges and mounting brackets - this begins the work of building the bi-fold gates.
Sometimes the bi-fold gate comes disassembled, so we would need to attach the hinges to each pane, and ensure the hinges are secured tightly for smooth folding operation.
If the gate is being mounted to a wall, we would drill pilot holes and secure the mounting brackets using screws and wall anchors. If it's being mounted to a post, we would ensure the post is sturdy and level before attaching the brackets.
Step 4: Attach the gate panels
Then, we’ll attach the gate panels.
We’ll secure the hinges to each folding section, ensuring they are aligned correctly, and tighten the screws bolts - leaving slight flexibility for smooth operation. Then, we’ll secure the gate panels to the support structure, ensuring proper spacing for the panels to fold smoothly.
Step 5: Install the gate motor and automation system (optional)
If we’re installing an automatic bi-folding gate, this is when we’ll install the motor and automation system.
First, we’ll place the motor unit, and then attach the motor arms to the gate panels, ensuring they are aligned properly to prevent stress on the motor. Afterwards, we’ll wire the motor to the power supply, ensuring proper grounding.
Step 6: Install safety sensors and access control system (optional)
After installing the automated features of your gate, if relevant, we will then install its safety sensors and access control system.
Here, we position the infrared safety sensors on both sides of the gate to prevent it from closing on vehicles or people, ensuring that they are aligned correctly and testing them. Then, to install the access control system, we secure the control panel in a weatherproof location and connect it to the gate motor and power source.
