How To Maintain Your Boom Gates and Turnstiles
Many people now use multiple use barriers to control entry points into their businesses. Using access gates and turnstiles reduces the need for staff at those locations to lower wage costs. However, whilst these pedestrian access barriers are designed for prolonged multiple uses, they still need occasional maintenance. Here we will look at four steps to maintain your entry systems to keep them working well and to protect your investment.
1. Regular Cleaning
All equipment in a retail environment needs to be spotless and visually pleasing for customers. To keep your turnstiles and boom gates looking fantastic, it will be necessary to give them a periodic cleaning. All surfaces must be cleaned using a soft cloth and a high-quality stainless steel cleaner. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products and scouring pads, as they scratch the surface and damage the finish.
2. Examine the Surface
Regularly check the surfaces for scratches, marks, and dents to determine if the equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. Pedestrian-related access equipment can be prone to bumps and knocks, which need monitoring. Over time brackets can work loose, barrier flaps can bend, and posts may start to lean. Customers can be rough on access gate areas, and some equipment may have been manually forced open. When parts are bent or misaligned, the equipment will not work as intended, eventually failing to close or open correctly.
3. Annually Lubrication
Every year at a set time on the calendar, carry out some lubrication on all of your entry equipment. The best product to use is synthetic grease that you will use to lubricate any moving parts. This will help to prevent the mechanism from seizing up and ensure smooth operation for the next year.
4. Carry out Preventive Maintenance
Most full-height and waist-height barrier entry systems are sealed units protecting from elements. However, the actual barriers, drop arms, and flaps don’t, and they need some extra maintenance from time to time. If they are left unattended, you will gradually notice a build-up of grime that makes the barrier look grubby and dirty. It’s also not unusual to find insect infestations where the barrier arm enters the housing. Both of these issues can affect how well the barrier works and will affect how a potential customer looks at your business. Every week or so, schedule a cleaning session and wash down the barriers with a non-abrasive cleaning product and a soft cloth.
Perth property managers should contact us here at Image Extra if they are looking for boom gates. We can supply and install a wide selection of high-quality safety and security equipment, including automatic gates. All of our boom gates comply with Australian rules and regulations. Our team is standing by to discuss your needs in greater detail, and they will be happy to answer any remaining questions that you may have.