Keeping Your Guard Up
 “My gate won’t close!” Or worse yet, “We can’t get the gate to open and I’ve got two customers waiting to get out— boy, are they steamed!” The helpful technicians on the other end of the line at call centers are trained to respond to theses and other issues, patiently listening to the symptoms of systems and equipment that, for various reasons, are not operating properly. In a perfect world, gates and other automatic devices would always work as they should—but we must come face-to-face with the fact that we do not live in a perfect world.
Sometimes, the technical tools we use to make life easier and more convenient simply don’t work right. Automated gates fail to be automatic. Door alarms make noise when we don’t think they should. Beautiful camera images sometimes fade to black. Those intelligent computing machines and flickering monitors become stupid and refuse to respond to any command keys we enter at the keyboard. All devices need maintenance from time to time. What should you do when equipment malfunctions? The answer is simple. Call for tech support from your local installing technician. You may be on a program of regular preventive maintenance. These programs save money and heartache in the long run. If you haven’t signed up for a preventative maintenance program with your vendor, you may need to devise your own checklist of preventive maintenance measures to help assure that your technical gear is going to keep on working the way it is supposed to. In fact, there are several things you can do to help prevent breakdowns and interruptions.
Gates And Keypads
Since we mentioned gates first, we’ll start there. At self-storage facilities, the automated gate usually connects to a motor called a gate operator. Each operator needs regular maintenance and an annual inspection. Although most of those motors need minimum of maintenance, they do require regular inspection.
To make the gate last longer, keep the wheels, rollers, or hinges tight and in good condition, and keep gate tracks free of debris. This makes for less wear and tear. Monthly lubrication of the chain and all fittings allows the gate to move freely, also extending the life of the equipment. Occasionally, the gate operator needs adjustment to make sure the gate travels the correct distance. This should be checked monthly, but if it needs adjustment, only a trained technician should do the job.
Each gate features at least two safety devices. Typically, safety loops are buried underground in the gate area where they sense the presence of a vehicle. Circuits in the gate operator then react by opening the gate, re-opening the gate, or by simply stopping its motion. Many gate operators feature circuits that sense the gate coming into contact with an object, and the gate simply stops. If those safety devices are not working properly, they need your immediate attention. Any operation that doesn’t seem correct should be reported to your service company immediately.
Steps For Troubleshooting
When a customer arrives at the entry keypad and nothing happens after they enter a valid code, there are several possibilities. The first test is to make sure the gate operator and its components work properly. If they do, then the problem is within the automated system that operates the gate—the keypads, the system controller, or the computer software.
First, check to see that everything has power. Keypad lights should be on, indicator lights should be showing on the gate operator control board, and the system controller’s indicator lights should be glowing. Once you’re satisfied that all components have power, check the gate operator. Make sure the gate motor itself functions. Most gates have a manual switch or remote control that will operate the gate apart from the automatic system. If not, call your technician for instructions on how to bypass the computer control system to activate the gate. If the gate works properly, take the next step.
Most software programs have a “Reset” function that clears out the current instructions to re-load the control information, or they feature a “Restart” selection. Selecting those buttons will reset the system, poll the various devices for a response, and re-load the system information into memory. Many times, the reset process is all it takes to cure a temporary communication failure within the system.
If the gate still does not function, determine whether the keypad responds when keys are pressed. If the answer is no, whether for a single button, a row of buttons, or all buttons, a technician may need to substitute a keypad in that location. If the keypad does respond, continue moving up the line of potential problems.
When the gate does not function after a valid code is entered and you’ve already checked to make sure the gate works and have also made sure the keypad is working and is online, you might suspect a flaw in the software. Remember, two programs work together in the computer to handle the chores of keeping up with tenants: the management software and the gate software. Generally, the gate software runs in the background and takes its input from the management software program. If communication problems crop up, you may be able to re-boot and reset the programs for a cure. If this does not fix the problem, there are some quick checkpoints to ensure that the two programs are exchanging information as they should.
First, enter a valid code and see if the software responds with “Access Granted.” If so, the culprit is not in the software but is in the gate data lines or with the gate itself. Verify that a valid code exists for the unit in question. Compare access codes in the gate software with the listing in the management software. Make sure that the information for a particular unit agrees in both programs. If all of these procedures fail to get the gate operating, it’s time to call a technician.
Unit Door Alarms
Individual unit door alarms are wonderful on-site security devices, but they can cause problems at times. Frequently, the problem is in operations and not with the equipment itself. Some events described as false alarms are actual alarm conditions. One of the biggest problems at many sites is tailgating—when a customer enters the facility without using the appropriate access code at the keypad, usually by following another tenant onto the property. Tailgating can also occur if the manager lets the tenant in by opening the gate manually or when the gate malfunctions and is stuck open. This practice cannot be eliminated, but educating tenants about the problem will greatly reduce “false” alarms. Explain to customers that by tailgating and creating a false alarm, they reduce the effectiveness of the system and degrade the security of the facility.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the door alarm system relies on the alignment of a magnet mounted on the unit door and a sensor mounted on the door frame or track, hence, the condition of the door itself plays a part in the operation of the system. Doors that are damaged or excessively loose can cause false alarms. A door that has more than three-fourths of an inch movement in and out could potentially generate false alarms, especially on outdoor units that are subject to being rattled by high winds. When the door is closed, it should always come to rest in the same position. With some doors, notably folding garage style doors, there is a latch on both sides of the door. The tenant should close and latch both sides of the door to ensure that it stays in the most stable position.
Be sure to check out every alarm. None should be ignored. Recurring problems should be checked out by a competent technician for diagnosis and correction.
Video Surveillance
For facilities that still use video cassette recorders (VCRs) with their video surveillance systems, pay regular attention to maintaining the VCRs to ensure good images for evidence. These tapes use an oxide coating that wears off onto the record and playback heads of the recorder. The heads should be cleaned at least once per quarter, and a bench technician should service the VCR annually. Fresh tapes should be available as well. You should have a set of 31 tapes, one for each day of the month. Change the tape daily and then update the stock of tapes with fresh ones every six months.
Systematic inspection, detection, and correction of problems will help you keep each security device operating satisfactorily. Use your calendar for checks and activities that do not occur daily, such as lubricating the gate chain once each month. Develop good inspection habits for your daily property review and lock check, taking the extra step to ensure that all devices are operating properly.
With your commitment to keeping security equipment well-maintained, you will improve system reliability, decrease the cost of replacement, and decrease downtime for the systems that are critical to your overall security and efficient operations.
Steve Cooper serves as part of the Marketing and Sales Team for Digitech International based in Asheville, North Carolina. Digitech provides self-storage security products, installation, and service including automatic gates, individual unit alarms, and video surveillance, serving the industry with a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service.
|
|
