Commercial Boom Gates and Security Gates in Sydney

Boom gates versus full security gates

Boom gates control vehicle flow. They lift and drop quickly, suit high-traffic entries, and are often used where the aim is to stop unauthorised parking rather than to fully secure a site. Common uses include office car parks, medical centres, retail car parks and the entry ramp of a strata building where a separate roller door secures the basement.

Security gates physically close off the entry. Sliding gates, swing gates and other heavy-duty gate types are used where the site needs to be secure out of hours, such as warehouse yards, depots and buildings with ground-level car parks.

Many sites use both: a boom gate for traffic control during the day and a security gate or roller door that closes at night.

What makes commercial gates different

• Duty cycle. A residential gate might open ten times a day. A strata car park might see hundreds of movements. Commercial motors and boom operators are rated for that heavier use.
• Access control. Proximity cards, tags, number plate recognition, ticket systems or intercoms. Multi-user systems let a building manager add and remove users.
• Pedestrian safety. Car park entries are often shared with footpaths. Safety beams, loop detectors in the driveway and clear signage reduce risk.
• Fire and emergency access. Emergency services may need to get in, and occupants may need a way out. Building requirements vary by site, so the installer and your building's fire safety advisers need to be in the loop.

Strata car parks

Apartment buildings across the Eastern Suburbs, North Shore and St George often have narrow basement ramps with poor sight lines. Boom gates suit these entries because they take up little space and move quickly.

If the gate is part of common property, the owners corporation needs to be involved. Under the NSW Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, repairs to common property are handled differently from improvements, and adding a new structure to common property generally requires a special resolution. Get your strata manager involved early. Our guide to car park boom gates and strata approvals covers the process in more detail.

Offices, retail and mixed-use sites

Commercial sites often need integration with existing security systems, after-hours access for cleaners and contractors, and simple ways to let visitors in. Some sites also need a pay or ticket system. An installer will look at traffic flow, queuing space on the street, and how visitors will find the intercom.

Electrical and site work

Boom gates and commercial motors need power, and access control equipment often needs data cabling. In NSW, electrical wiring work must be done by a licensed electrician. Loop detectors are cut into the driveway surface, so the installer will need to look at the condition of the slab or asphalt.

Getting started

Tell us the type of site, how many vehicles use the entry each day, and what you want to control. We pass your enquiry to an independent local installer who handles commercial work. For residential access, see our intercom, keypad and remote access page.