A commercial automatic gate can cycle thousands of times a month. Like any piece of heavy equipment, it needs scheduled maintenance to stay reliable and safe — and an unplanned gate failure can shut down a loading dock or leave a site unsecured. Here is when, and why, to service a commercial gate system.
Signs Your Gate Needs Service
- Slow, jerky, or hesitant movement
- Grinding, squealing, or unusual noise
- The gate reverses, stalls, or will not fully close
- Intermittent or delayed response from the operator or access control
- Visible wear on rollers, hinges, chains, or the gate frame
Recommended Service Intervals
High-cycle commercial gates benefit from scheduled preventive maintenance — often quarterly or semi-annually depending on traffic volume. A service visit typically covers lubrication, hardware and fastener inspection, operator diagnostics, and testing of all safety devices.
UL325 Safety Compliance
Commercial gate operators must meet UL325 safety requirements. Routine service includes testing photo-eyes, safety edges, and vehicle loop detection so the gate cannot close on a vehicle or a person — a liability every facility manager should take seriously.
Do Not Wait for a Failure
Preventive maintenance is almost always cheaper than an emergency repair plus the downtime it causes. Advanced Fences installs, services, and repairs commercial gate operators across Texas. See our automation & access control capabilities.