Warwick Hospital has had the UK’s first solar O&O barriers installed. The hospital facilities staff contacted Green Gate Access Systems Managing Director Neil Sampson last year, to discuss how to enable parking closer to the site for their 300-plus auxiliary nurses and key workers, to speed their arrival on shift. The hospital had already acquired a nearby disused transport depot and converted it into a 350 space car-park, but lacked access control.
Kent-based Green Gate installed two O&O ‘up and down’ car park barriers at the main entrances, operated by a key code for known users with a GSM intercom linked to the facilities office, should visitors want to use the parking. The aim was to run all the products, up to 300 times a day, per barrier, through the winter, on solar power. Using calculations based on daily use, latitude of the site and accessories connected to the barriers, the installer selected and fitted 24V solar panels to each barrier with an integrated encoder safety device, underground induction sensor and infra-red beam, so that the barrier does not come down on people or vehicles. The O&O barriers come with a three year warranty and open and close in 2.5 seconds, enabling the installers say a faster flow of traffic and eliminating tail-gating.
Neil Sampson says: “We are particularly pleased that the outcome of this project has been as successful as it has. With around 600 vehicles per day entering the car park, the solar barriers mean there is zero running costs and zero carbon foot-print for the entire security system. It’s been more than 12 months since the installation and this equipment has seen two winters through without a single breakdown or power down – a testament to the ability of solar power to deliver results – even in cloudy Britain!” Visit www.greengateaccess.co.uk.
