How Often Should Gates & Barriers Be Maintained? | Aremco Barriers
How Often Should Manual Gates and Barriers Be Maintained?
Hinges move, locks are repeatedly operated, fixings can loosen, protective finishes can become damaged and large steel structures can be affected by vehicle impact, weather and everyday use.
Regular inspection and basic maintenance can help identify small problems before they develop into larger and potentially more expensive ones.
At Aremco Barriers, we've been manufacturing manual barriers and gates for more than 40 years. In this guide, we look at how often manual gates and barriers should be checked, what to look for and when additional attention may be required.
How Often Should a Manual Gate Be Inspected?
There isn't one inspection interval that's suitable for every gate.
How frequently a manual gate should be checked depends on factors including:
- How often it is operated
- The size and weight of the gate
- The environment
- Exposure to wind and weather
- The number of people using it
- The type of site
- Previous damage or repairs
- Manufacturer's recommendations
A gate used several times every day at a busy industrial site will generally require closer attention than a gate opened only occasionally.
The important thing is to establish a regular inspection routine rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
What Should Be Checked on a Manual Swing Gate?
A visual and operational inspection should consider the complete gate rather than focusing on one component.
Areas worth checking include:
- Hinges
- Hinge pins
- Safety restrainers
- Gate posts
- Foundations
- Fixings
- Welds
- Locking mechanisms
- Drop bolts where fitted
- Open-position posts or catches
- Protective finish
- Gate alignment
- General condition of the steelwork
The gate should also be opened and closed to check that it moves normally.
Is a Gate Becoming Harder to Open a Warning Sign?
It can be.
If a gate that previously operated smoothly suddenly becomes difficult to move, don't simply assume it needs more force.
There could be an underlying reason.
Possible causes include:
- Hinge wear
- Poor lubrication where applicable
- Post movement
- Foundation movement
- Gate misalignment
- Physical damage
- Debris obstructing movement
- Damage following vehicle impact
A significant change in the way a gate operates is worth investigating.
Check That the Gate Hasn't Dropped
One issue that can develop with a swing gate is the gate leaf dropping out of alignment.
Signs may include:
- The bottom of the gate getting closer to the ground
- Difficulty engaging the lock
- Drop bolts no longer lining up
- The gate catching the surface
- Uneven gaps
- Increased effort required to open or close it
The cause should be identified rather than simply adjusting other components to compensate.
For example, movement of the supporting post or foundation could affect the alignment of the complete gate.
Check the Hinges
Hinges are fundamental to the operation of a swing gate and should be included in routine inspections.
Look for:
- Excessive movement
- Visible wear
- Damage
- Corrosion
- Loose components
- Distortion
- Unusual noises during operation
Any lubrication requirements will depend on the hinge design and manufacturer's recommendations.
Don't apply lubricants indiscriminately without considering whether they're suitable for the particular component.
Check the Safety Restrainers
Where a swing gate is fitted with safety restrainers, these should also be inspected.
A safety restrainer provides a secondary means of restraint should a failure occur within the gate's primary supporting arrangement.
Check for:
- Damage
- Wear
- Corrosion
- Loose or damaged fixings
- Distortion
- Missing components
The restrainer shouldn't be removed simply because it isn't carrying a load during normal gate operation.
That's exactly how it should normally be – it is there as a secondary safety measure.
Check How the Gate Is Secured Open
A manual swing gate should have an appropriate method of preventing uncontrolled movement when it is open.
This is particularly important in windy conditions.
If open-position posts, catches or other securing arrangements are provided, check that they still operate correctly.
A large gate leaf can have considerable surface area, and wind can exert significant forces on it.
An unsecured gate shouldn't be allowed to swing freely.
Check the Locking Arrangement
Locks, padlocks, drop bolts and other securing components should continue to operate correctly.
Look for signs of:
- Wear
- Corrosion
- Bent components
- Misalignment
- Damage
- Difficulty locking or unlocking
If a locking point has suddenly become difficult to engage, consider whether the gate itself has moved out of alignment.
What Should Be Checked on a Height Restriction Barrier?
Height restriction barriers should also be inspected periodically.
For a fixed height barrier, check:
- Upright posts
- Crossbeam
- Foundations
- Fixings
- Welds
- Height restriction sign
- Reflective materials
- Protective finish
- Evidence of vehicle impact
Opening height restriction barriers require additional attention because they contain moving components.
These may include:
- Hinges
- Locking points
- Open-position posts
- Stops
- Moving barrier sections
The barrier should open and close as intended without excessive force.
Check the Height Restriction Sign
The sign is an important part of a height restriction barrier.
Drivers need sufficient warning of the maximum permitted vehicle height before attempting to pass underneath.
Check that the sign:
- Is still present
- Is secure
- Is clearly visible
- Hasn't been badly damaged
- Hasn't become obscured
- Remains legible
If the barrier has been struck, the stated clearance should also be checked before the barrier is returned to normal use.
What About Raise-Arm Barriers?
Manual raise-arm barriers also contain moving parts and should be periodically checked.
Depending on the particular design, inspection may include:
- Pivot points
- Boom condition
- Fixings
- Posts
- Locking arrangements
- Pogo rests
- Stops
- Counterbalance components
- General alignment
If the barrier suddenly becomes significantly easier or harder to operate, this should be investigated.
Look for Vehicle Impact Damage
Vehicle impact is one of the most obvious reasons to carry out an immediate inspection rather than wait for the next planned maintenance check.
Barriers, bollards and gates are installed in areas where vehicles operate, so accidental impact can occur.
Damage may include:
- Bent steelwork
- Damaged welds
- Loose fixings
- Distorted posts
- Damaged foundations
- Misaligned gates
- Damaged signs
- Scraped or chipped coatings
Not all damage is immediately obvious.
A relatively small visible mark could have been caused by a significant force.
Inspect the Foundations
The steel product itself isn't the only thing that matters.
Its foundation is part of the installation.
Look for:
- Cracked concrete
- Movement around posts
- Loose base plates
- Damaged anchors
- Posts leaning
- Separation between the foundation and surrounding surface
If a post has moved, simply adjusting the gate or barrier may not solve the underlying problem.
Check Bolt-Down Fixings
For bolt-down products, inspect the base plates and anchors.
Look for:
- Loose nuts
- Missing fixings
- Corrosion
- Cracked concrete
- Movement of the base plate
- Distortion
- Damage around the fixing points
If fixings repeatedly become loose, the cause should be investigated rather than continually tightening them without further assessment.
Check the Protective Finish
Galvanising and powder coating help protect steelwork, but both should still be inspected.
On powder-coated products, look for:
- Chips
- Scratches
- Peeling
- Impact damage
- Exposed steel
- Signs of corrosion
Damage that exposes bare steel should be addressed before corrosion is allowed to develop further.
Galvanised steel should also be checked, particularly after impact or physical damage.
Pay Particular Attention Around Ground Level
The area where a steel post meets the ground deserves particular attention.
This area can be exposed to:
- Standing water
- Road salt
- Dirt
- Debris
- Chemicals
- Repeated wetting
- Physical damage
Keep the area around posts reasonably clear so their condition can be inspected.
What About Removable Bollards?
Removable bollards have ground sockets that also require attention.
Check that:
- The bollard can be inserted and removed correctly
- The locking arrangement operates
- The socket isn't filled with debris
- Drainage remains effective
- The post isn't excessively damaged
- Locks and padlocks remain serviceable
If the socket becomes filled with dirt, stones or other debris, inserting the bollard correctly can become difficult.
What About Telescopic Bollards?
Telescopic bollards rely on a below-ground housing and moving inner post.
They should be checked for:
- Smooth operation
- Lock condition
- Damage
- Dirt and debris
- Drainage
- Corrosion
- Unusual resistance during raising or lowering
Water and debris shouldn't be allowed to accumulate unchecked within the installation.
Does Bad Weather Affect Gates and Barriers?
Yes.
Outdoor steelwork is exposed to changing weather throughout the year.
Wind is particularly relevant to large swing gates because the gate leaf can present a substantial surface area.
Heavy rain can highlight drainage problems around below-ground products, while freezing conditions may affect water trapped within poorly drained installations.
After particularly severe weather, an additional visual inspection can be worthwhile.
Should I Keep a Maintenance Record?
For commercial and industrial sites, keeping a simple record of inspections and maintenance can be useful.
Record information such as:
- Date inspected
- Product/location
- Condition
- Problems identified
- Work carried out
- Replacement parts fitted
- Person carrying out the inspection
This creates a history of the equipment and can help identify recurring problems.
When Should a Gate or Barrier Be Taken Out of Use?
If there is reason to believe that a gate or barrier is unsafe, continuing to use it may make the problem worse or create an unnecessary risk.
Examples could include:
- Serious structural damage
- Failed hinges
- Significant post movement
- Broken safety components
- Major vehicle impact
- Uncontrolled movement
- Severely damaged foundations
The equipment should be appropriately assessed before being returned to normal operation.
How Often Should Maintenance Be Carried Out? – Quick Answer
There is no single maintenance interval suitable for every manual gate or barrier.
Instead, the inspection frequency should reflect:
How often the product is used
Its size and design
The environment
The consequences of failure
Previous damage or problems
The manufacturer's recommendations
In addition to planned inspections, an extra check should be carried out whenever there has been an unusual event such as a vehicle impact or severe damage.
Preventative Maintenance Can Save Money
Waiting until a gate stops working completely can turn a relatively minor problem into a much larger repair.
A loose fixing, damaged coating or slight change in alignment may be straightforward to address when first noticed.
Left unattended, the same issue could eventually result in damage to other components.
Regular inspection therefore isn't only about safety – it can also help extend the working life of the product.
Need Advice About an Aremco Gate or Barrier?
If you have an Aremco Barriers product and are unsure about its maintenance requirements, contact us with details of the product and the issue you've identified.
Photographs can be particularly useful when discussing damage, wear or alignment problems.
Aremco Barriers manufactures manual swing gates, height restriction barriers, bollards, raise-arm barriers and other physical vehicle access-control products for commercial, industrial and private applications throughout the UK.
With more than 40 years' experience, our aim is not only to manufacture the product but also to help customers understand how it should be specified, installed and looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a manual swing gate be serviced?
There isn't one interval appropriate for every gate. Inspection and maintenance frequency should take account of usage, environment, gate size, condition and the manufacturer's recommendations.
Do manual gates require maintenance?
Yes. Hinges, safety restrainers, locks, posts, foundations, fixings and the general condition of the gate should be inspected periodically.
Should I lubricate gate hinges?
This depends on the hinge design and manufacturer's recommendations. Only use a lubricant where appropriate for the particular component.
What should I do if my gate becomes difficult to open?
Don't simply apply more force. Check for misalignment, hinge problems, post movement, obstructions or damage and investigate the cause.
Should a barrier be checked after being hit by a vehicle?
Yes. A vehicle impact can affect posts, foundations, fixings, welds and alignment even when the visible damage appears relatively minor.
Do removable bollard sockets need maintenance?
Yes. Ground sockets should be kept reasonably clear of debris, and the locking arrangement and drainage should remain functional.
Should I keep records of gate inspections?
For commercial and industrial sites, maintaining a simple record of inspections, identified problems and maintenance carried out can be useful.
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