Your Self-Storage Access Gate Is a Double-Edged Sword! Important Insight to Maintenance and SafetyYour Self-Storage Access Gate Is a Double-Edged Sword! Important Insight to Maintenance and Safety

Gates are the first line of security at most self-storage sites. They aren’t only our defense against intruders, they allow us to keep track of the people who are supposed be on site, including employees, tenants and vendors. But while this barrier to entry is our trusted ally, it can also be one of our greatest business liabilities.

A gate is a piece of technical equipment, and just like your HVAC system or your car, it requires proper maintenance and attention to safety. Without those things, it can fail to operate. Worse, it can become dangerous.

Think about it: If your self-storage facility has 500 units, the gate likely opens 1,000 to 1,500 times per month. If the same gate serves as both the entrance and exit, that number doubles! How can you expect it to do that without fail unless you care for it? The good news is that with proper upkeep, you can expect it to operate smoothly for a good long time.

Gate Types

In the self-storage industry, there are three primary types of access gates. Your choice of which to use should be guided by your need or desire to enhance security and operational efficiency.

Maintenance Definitely Matters!

Regardless of which gate you choose for your self-storage property, maintenance should be conducted monthly, with safety checks performed weekly. If you stick to this schedule, each task should take no more than a half hour to complete. It’s also important to keep records for reference in case of an incident and to track potential issues.

If you aren’t sure which parts of the self-storage gate require maintenance or how to do it, all reputable manufacturers provide a comprehensive list of items that need attention, and when, in their manuals or on their website. Most schedules are broken down by month, quarter and year; however, with such heavy use in a self-storage environment, it’s imperative to follow my above recommendation regarding frequency.

If you aren’t comfortable maintaining your own gate, contact a qualified installation and service company with trained and certified personnel. Remember, in the event of an incident, everyone who has had anything to do with the gate, including its operation or maintenance, is considered liable.

How do you know if your self-storage access gate needs additional attention? If any of the following things are true, it does!

Ignoring your self-storage access gate is the same as neglecting your car. If you turn your back on potential issues and do nothing, they won’t magically go away. They’ll get worse, and the gate will eventually break down. Then you’ll be faced with even greater problems! Having an inoperable gate is a security risk and a huge public-relations issue that can damage your business reputation and drive away customers.

Safety First

No one really wants to discuss gate safety, and yet this piece of equipment can be one of your self-storage facility’s greatest liabilities. Each year, thousands of people are injured by gates, some severely and even fatally. In almost every case, the incident was 100% avoidable. All it required was for the owner to maintain the gate, put the necessary precautions in place, and ensure the equipment met local building codes as well as the regulations outlined in UL 325 and ASTM F2200. These safety standards exist for a reason!

You may be thinking, if it’s so easy and important, why are there so many gates that don’t meet the proper requirements? The simple truth is that the people doing the inspecting are either unaware of the codes or they aren’t trained to ensure they’re being met. This is why it’s so critical to perform regular maintenance and keep inspection records. They serve to protect you and your facility if an incident occurs.

There are also a few organizations that promote gate safety maintenance and provide valuable information, including education and other resources. The American Fence Association is a very proactive group that offers classes to members and certification courses to technicians. Gate-Safe promotes gate safety across the United Kingdom and Europe. It understands the standards unique to those regions and holds meetings with certification classes. Both organizations can help you find reputable companies in your area to install, inspect, service and maintain your gates to the highest standards.

The Hummingbird Alliance was founded by Dayna and Eric Quanbeck after their young son, Alex, was killed at school by a gate that was improperly installed and maintained. This tragedy likely could have been avoided if the proper standards had been met. Unfortunately, Alex isn’t the only person who’s been killed or injured due to negligence and someone thinking, “All this safety stuff isn’t really necessary.”

Self-storage gate maintenance is necessary. It’s important. It shouldn’t be ignored, and it must be done.

Chester A. Gilliam is the owner of Castle Rock, Colorado-based Wizard Works Security Systems Inc., an end-to-end service provider of complex and integrated security solutions. He’s been involved in the self-storage industry for more than 30 years and holds certifications in the design and installation of automated-gate, access-control and video systems. His website offers information about gate safety and standards as well as maintenance tips and check sheets. To reach him, call 303.798.5337; e-mail [email protected].