Sliding gate installed for Four Oaks primary school
Procter Sliding Gates has installed a Pro-Glide Series 20 powered sliding gate for Four Oaks Primary School
in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. In addition, the company supplied and installed perimeter fencing and pedestrian gates. These security measures enabled the school to address a shortcoming identified in a recent Ofsted report. Although the work was largely undertaken during term time, including the automated gate, the routine operation of the school was not disrupted at all.
At the start of the project, Procter Sliding Gates advised the school on its choice of fencing and gates through a process of technical consultation and site survey. There was also a site meeting during which the project was discussed at length and every step explained so that the school was fully aware of exactly what would happen on site. As for the hardware, Procter undertook all aspects of the design, manufacture and installation of the fencing and gates.
Four Oaks purchased a Procter Pro-Glide Series 20 gate for the school drive. This powered, automated, cantilevered sliding gate has a 4.5m opening and is 2m high, with mesh infill and a feature facia panel on which the school name and logo are highlighted. As with all gates supplied by Procter Sliding Gates (a sister division to Procter Fencing Systems), the gate is equipped with comprehensive safety features including pressure-sensitive safe edges, photocells and a warning light. To simplify the installation process and avoid laying an underground cable from the gate intercom panel to the school building, a GSM intercom phone provides a wireless connection.
Four Oaks primary school opted to retain an existing rising arm barrier that is sited adjacent to the new gate. At school drop-off and pick-up times the gate is opened and the barrier used to control traffic; at other times, the gate is closed to provide better security.
A major benefit of the Procter Pro-Glide Series 20 gates is that they can be installed in as little as one day, which minimises disruption. For the Four Oaks project, the groundworks were completed during the half-term holiday, then the factory-assembled gate was craned into position straight from the delivery lorry a week later (see this sliding gate video). Staff and parents had full access through the gateway at either end of the school day, with the gate installed, commissioned and CE marked within one working day.
Before work could start on the new fencing, Procter's trained team dismantled and removed the existing school fencing, then completed the groundworks. The team installed 212m of Procter Pro-Mesh profiled mesh panel fencing, the specification for which was for welded wire mesh panels 2m high, with a galvanised and polyester powder-coated finish; the panels were mounted on rectangular hollow section steel posts with the same long-lasting, low-maintenance finish. Two 1.2m wide pedestrian swing gates were installed, with the same height, infill and finish as the fencing.
Heather Sutton, the Head Teacher at Four Oaks Primary School, comments: "We are more than happy with the fencing and gates. Procter Sliding Gates provided an excellent service throughout the project, with superb communications. They made sure that we knew exactly what was happening and it was clear that they were very well aware of the needs of our school. Moreover, they completed the installation without disrupting the operations of the school in any way."
She continues: "I would highly recommend Procter Sliding Gates - and other Head Teachers are welcome to visit Four Oaks to see the school fencing and gates for themselves."
Colin Townsend, the Building Services Supervisor at Four Oaks, adds: "Ofsted insisted that we needed to improve perimeter security, even though the risks here are low compared with many other schools. The new school fencing and gates certainly meet their requirements and have had the added benefit of keeping out skateboarders."
"Before awarding the contract we got three quotes," explains Colin Townsend. "One supplier could not offer a suitable gate, and the other two quotes were very close. However, Procter Sliding Gates was very responsive and efficient, which gave us the confidence to award them the contract."
Colin Townsend concludes: "I have no doubt that we made the right choice, as the standard of service continued to be excellent, with good communications and a very helpful site meeting in which we discussed the installation procedure and the safety issues relating to powered gates."
For more information about Pro-Glide powered sliding gates for primary schools or other applications, contact Procter Sliding Gates. Telephone 02920 855 756, email enquiries@sliding-gate.co.uk or visit the website at www.sliding-gate.co.uk.
