Door Industry Journal - Winter 2013

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 65 THE door industry journal winter 2013 powered gates HÖRMANN SLIDING INDUSTRIAL GATES The Hörmann range of steel and aluminium industrial sliding gates benefit from self supporting construction, high security levels and come completely pre-assembled. This approach and design limits the amount of foundation work required and with no guide rail, there is one less fitting operation and these gates are not compromised by icy or snowy conditions. Made with robust profiles for stability and durability, these gates are delivered as a complete unit for openings up to 16 metres wide. This means a two element version can close a 32 metre opening suitable for the biggest transport yards. When supplied with an electrically powered HSA operator this is fitted inside the bottom beam of the gate, so it is both concealed and weather protected. This positioning also helps to ensure that there is no play in the gate as it is opens and closes, adding to its longevity. Low maintenance design and a release for manual operation, in case of power failure, are standard features with this HSA operator. Additionally the control panel and operator are pre-wired at the factory and the control box is supplied as a waterproof unit. In order to enhance safety, if the automatic control option is chosen, the gate comes with five self-monitoring closing edge safety devices. Attention to detail is the hallmark of Hörmann engineering and with these gates, heavy-duty, wear resistant polyamide track rollers are used with double ball bearing races to guarantee quiet gate travel. Specially coated enclosed gate guide rollers combined with aluminium rubbing strips (standard on HSS models) protect the door finish and contribute to its long term smooth operation. For larger gates the latest addition to the range, the HS Alu aluminium gate offers an alternative to the steel HSS and HS options. This gate features a patented modular design of the bottom beam so gates can be produced inexpensively with a clear passage of up to 15 metres. A sliding gate frame, ready for onsite infill is another option to create an individual design for openings up to 10 metres wide. Some of the options offered with Hörmann sliding gates include, intermediate heights and widths, climb over protection (for gates 1.8 metres high and above), warning lights, fence fixings, reflective warning strips and the choice of RAL colour. For more information on Hörmann industrial sliding gates contact Hörmann direct on 01530 516888, e-mail info@hormann.co.uk or go to www.hormann.co.uk NEW FORCE TESTER FOR AUTOMATIC GATES LAUNCHED INTO UK A German company that has been involved in gate safety for almost 25 years has engineered a new lightweight easy to use force tester. In 2010 rising safety at work regulations in Germany encouraged GTE, manufacturer of Europe’s most popular force testers, to work on a significantly simplified test method for closing forces of power operated doors and gates. The measurement procedure defined in EN 12453, which consists of at least 27 measurements at nine different test points, may be reasonable for type tests of new gate systems. However, when it comes to annual maintenance this very time-consuming procedure is unnecessarily complex for assuring sufficient force limitation capabilities. Instead of performing numerous test series requiring extensive evaluation and documentation in the office, the new “Lite” concept suggests only a few single measurements, which can be documented right away. For this purpose GTE’s new force tester KMG-Lite was designed without data memory or computer interface but for excellent usability, easiest handling and a great value price. It meets the technical requirements of BS EN 12445 and assists its user with an automatic force-time-evaluation of the relevant parameters defined in the standard. For in-situ documentation of the test results KMG-Lite comes along with a free online tool for PDF creation from mobile phones or tablets and for conventional paper based documentation with report pads. As an optional accessory GTE offers the handy KMG-Lite Distance-Set, a suitcase containing a robust tripod and metal spacers for measurements in opening gaps of 300 and 500 millimetres. This elaborated system has already proved itself throughout Europe and is now available in the UK. Its sophisticated simplicity helps to demystify force testing making it an integral part of gate service. In this way maintenance companies become able to offer their customers best value high quality service and, by the way, to comply with the requirements of the corresponding HSE Safety Notices. Further information on force testing, the according regulations, training courses, etc. can be found at GTE’s new information platform www.kmg-lite.com .