Commercial Gate Automation & Vehicle Access Control Solutions

We automate all types of commercial gates using commercial-grade operators built for high-cycle applications:

Slide Gates: Single or bi-parting slide gates are the most common for commercial properties. Heavy-duty chain drive, rack and pinion, or cantilever systems handle gates up to 10,000 lbs. Ideal when swing clearance isn't available or for high-security perimeters requiring substantial gate weight.

Swing Gates: Single or dual swing gates providing traditional entrance aesthetics. Underground or surface-mounted articulated arm operators accommodate gates up to 1,000 lbs per leaf. Common for gated communities and properties where appearance is important.

Barrier Arms: Overhead barrier arms for parking facilities, toll lanes, and controlled access areas. Fast operation (1-6 seconds), high duty cycle capacity (100,000+ annual cycles), and LED-illuminated arms for nighttime visibility.

Vertical Pivot Gates: Lifting vertical gates providing maximum security with minimal space requirements. Popular for parking facilities and industrial properties. Safety devices prevent gate descent when vehicles or pedestrians present.

Bi-Folding Gates: Space-efficient folding gates for properties with limited depth. Dual-hinged panels fold back during opening, requiring less clearance than traditional swing gates.

We install operators from leading commercial manufacturers including LiftMaster, BFT, FAAC, DoorKing, and Viking—brands built for reliability and longevity in demanding commercial applications. Our installations include proper foundation work, electrical integration, safety devices, and access control connectivity.

Commercial gate automation costs vary based on gate type, features, and integration requirements:

Typical Cost Ranges:

• Basic Automation: $8,000-$15,000 for single swing or slide gate with basic access control (keypads, card readers)
• Mid-Level Systems: $15,000-$30,000 for gates with license plate recognition, video intercom, and cloud access management
• Advanced Systems: $30,000-$75,000+ for complex multi-gate installations with sophisticated vehicle access management
• Parking Barrier Arms: $6,000-$12,000 per arm depending on features and payment system integration

Cost Factors Include: Gate type and size (swing, slide, barrier arm), operator selection (duty cycle rating, features), access control features (LPR, video intercom, mobile credentials), foundation and concrete work requirements, electrical work and power delivery, number of access credentials needed, integration with existing systems (surveillance, access control), and safety device installation.

We provide detailed proposals after site assessment, ensuring pricing accuracy and eliminating surprises. While commercial gate automation requires upfront investment, proper installation pays dividends through reliable operation, reduced maintenance, enhanced security, and operational efficiency over 15-20+ year equipment lifespan.

Absolutely—Palm Beach and Broward Counties have been our home base for over 20 years. We've installed hundreds of commercial gate systems throughout South Florida's gated communities, business parks, and industrial facilities, understanding the unique requirements of this region.

Palm Beach County Gate Installations: From Wellington's equestrian estates and gated communities (33414, 33449) to West Palm Beach's business parks along Australian Avenue and Southern Boulevard (33401, 33405, 33409), from Boca Raton's luxury developments along Palmetto Park Road and Glades Road (33431, 33434, 33486) to Jupiter's Abacoa and waterfront communities (33458, 33477), we've automated gates throughout Palm Beach County. Our projects include Palm Beach Gardens corporate campuses (33410, 33418), Delray Beach gated neighborhoods (33444, 33446), Boynton Beach industrial facilities (33435, 33426), and exclusive communities throughout the barrier islands.

Broward County Expertise: Fort Lauderdale's business parks and gated waterfront properties (33301, 33304, 33315), Plantation's corporate centers and master-planned communities (33317, 33323, 33324), Weston's extensive HOA communities (33326, 33331, 33332), Coral Springs gated neighborhoods (33065, 33071, 33076), Pompano Beach industrial and equestrian facilities (33064, 33069, 33073), Parkland luxury estates (33067, 33076), and Hollywood's beachside condominiums (33019, 33020, 33021)—we've secured properties throughout every Broward community.

Local Expertise Advantages: Understanding South Florida's hurricane wind load requirements (HVHZ compliance for coastal areas), knowledge of local building department permitting and inspection standards, experience with HOA architectural review requirements, familiarity with salt-air and humidity challenges requiring corrosion-resistant components, and established relationships with inspectors throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Our 20+ years of South Florida presence means we understand requirements like Florida Building Code compliance, impact-rated gates for hurricane protection, proper concrete work accounting for sandy soil conditions, and coordination with HOA architectural committees common in this region's luxury communities.

License plate recognition automates gate access by automatically identifying vehicles and triggering gate operation for authorized plates—eliminating the need for residents, employees, or members to carry cards, tags, or remotes.

How LPR Gate Systems Work: Specialized cameras capture approaching vehicles' license plates at speeds up to 100+ mph. AI software reads the plate with 95%+ accuracy in day, night, rain, or varying lighting. The system checks the plate against an authorized vehicle database. For matches, the gate automatically opens without driver action. All vehicle entries are logged with plate, timestamp, and image for security records.

LPR Applications:

• Resident/Employee Access: Hands-free entry without stopping for credentials
• Visitor Management: Temporary plate-based credentials for guests with defined date ranges
• Delivery Drivers: Time-restricted access for Amazon, FedEx, UPS during business hours
• Vehicle Tracking: Comprehensive logging showing who entered when
• Watchlist Alerts: Notifications when specific vehicles (ex-residents, banned vehicles) attempt entry

Benefits Over Traditional Credentials: No lost cards or forgotten remotes to replace, no windshield tags cluttering vehicle glass, multiple vehicle support per resident without additional cost, instant remote credential management (add/remove vehicles from anywhere), and comprehensive vehicle tracking impossible with simple gate openers.

We integrate LPR with cloud-based platforms enabling property managers or HOA boards to manage vehicle access remotely via web browser or mobile app. Perfect for gated communities, business parks, apartment buildings, and any property requiring sophisticated vehicle access control.

Commercial automatic gates require multiple safety devices meeting UL 325 standards—these aren't optional, they're code requirements protecting property owners from liability and ensuring pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Required Safety Devices:

• Photo Eye Sensors: Monitored infrared beams across gate opening detecting vehicles or pedestrians. Gate reverses if beam is broken during closing. Required on both sides of vehicular gates.
• Edge Sensors: Pressure-sensitive edges on swing gate leading edges detecting contact with objects. Gate immediately reverses on contact preventing entrapment.
• Vehicle Detector Loops: In-ground inductive loops detecting vehicle presence preventing gate closure on vehicles. Particularly important for slow-moving slide gates.
• Emergency Release: Manual release mechanism enabling gate operation during power failure or emergency situations. Required by fire code for emergency vehicle access.
• Warning Signs: Visible signage warning of automatic gate operation. Required within 5 feet of gate on both sides.

UL 325 Compliance: Commercial gates must meet UL 325 standards defining entrapment protection requirements. Class I (restricted access—employees only) has less stringent requirements than Class II-IV (public access). Most commercial properties require Class II or III compliance with comprehensive safety device coverage.

Annual Safety Inspections: Many jurisdictions require annual professional safety inspections certifying proper operation of all safety devices. We provide inspection and certification services ensuring continued compliance and reducing liability exposure.

Proper safety device installation isn't just about passing inspection—it's about protecting people and property owners. Gate accidents can result in serious injury and substantial liability. Our installations include all required safety devices properly configured and tested, documented for your records, and compliant with local code requirements.

Yes, gate system integration with access control is one of our specialties—in fact, we're complete security technology integrators installing both gate automation and access control systems. This enables seamless integration impossible when using separate contractors.

Integration Benefits: Single credential (card, mobile app, biometric) accessing both gates and doors, unified user management (add/remove users once for all systems), centralized audit trails showing gate and door access in one platform, coordinated visitor management with temporary gate and building access, and single-vendor accountability for complete solution.

Access Control Platforms We Integrate:

• Brivo: Cloud-based platform with mobile credentials, visitor management, LPR integration
• Verkada: Modern cloud system with mobile access, live camera integration
• Hanwha (formerly Honeywell): Enterprise platform for large commercial properties
• DoorKing: Popular telephone entry and access control for gated communities

Integration Capabilities: Mobile credentials enabling smartphone-based gate and door access, cloud-based management accessible from anywhere, visitor management with temporary credentials for gates and buildings, license plate recognition linked to access profiles, video verification with camera footage tied to access events, and integration with property management software for resident/tenant onboarding.

Whether you're adding gates to existing access control or building complete systems from scratch, our integrated approach delivers unified security management with single-vendor simplicity. This eliminates the coordination headaches of separate gate and access control contractors while providing superior functionality through proper integration.

Residential and commercial gate operators look similar but have dramatically different capabilities, durability, and pricing—using residential operators for commercial applications leads to constant failures and safety issues.

Duty Cycle (Operations Per Day):

• Residential: 10-20 cycles per day, intermittent use
• Light Commercial: 50-100 cycles per day
• Commercial: 200-500 cycles per day
• Heavy Commercial: 1,000+ cycles per day

Component Differences: Commercial operators have industrial-grade motors with thermal overload protection, heavy-duty drive components (chains, belts, hydraulic cylinders), weather-resistant enclosures protecting electronics, and battery backup systems maintaining operation during outages. Residential operators use lighter-duty components failing quickly under commercial use.

Features & Integration: Commercial operators offer sophisticated access control integration, remote monitoring and diagnostics, adjustable operating parameters, fire department lock boxes for emergency access, and proper safety device connectivity. Residential operators have basic features inadequate for commercial applications.

Safety Requirements: Commercial gates must meet UL 325 Class II-IV standards requiring monitored safety devices and comprehensive entrapment protection. Residential operators (Class I) lack the monitoring capabilities required for commercial compliance.

Cost vs Value: Residential operators cost $800-$2,000 but fail within months under commercial use. Commercial operators cost $2,500-$8,000 but provide years of reliable service. Constant residential operator replacement quickly exceeds commercial operator cost while creating liability exposure and operational disruption.

We exclusively install commercial-grade operators properly sized for your property's traffic patterns. While initial cost is higher, total cost of ownership is far lower with commercial equipment providing reliable performance and proper safety compliance.

Gate automation installation timeline depends on system complexity, foundation requirements, and integration scope:

Typical Installation Timelines:

• Single Gate Automation: 3-5 business days (gate fabrication if needed, foundation installation, operator installation, electrical work, safety devices, testing)
• Gate + Basic Access Control: 1 week (adds keypads, card readers, basic credential setup)
• Gate + LPR + Intercom: 1-2 weeks (adds camera installation, LPR configuration, intercom system, resident vehicle database)
• Multi-Gate Complex Systems: 2-4 weeks (multiple gates, centralized access control, comprehensive integration)

Installation Process: Site survey and system design, permitting through local building department (1-2 weeks where required), gate fabrication or repair if needed, foundation installation and concrete curing (3-7 days), electrical work (power delivery, conduit, wiring), operator installation and alignment, safety device installation and testing, access control integration and configuration, comprehensive system testing and adjustment, user training and documentation.

Factors Affecting Timeline: Existing gate condition (automation-ready vs requires repair), foundation requirements (new concrete vs existing pad), electrical service availability (nearby power vs long trenching), gate fabrication needs (new gates vs automate existing), permitting requirements (varies by jurisdiction), and weather (concrete work requires dry conditions).

For properties requiring continued access during installation, we coordinate work minimizing disruption—temporary manual operation, phased deployment, or after-hours installation when possible. We provide detailed project schedules during proposal phase, keeping you informed throughout installation.

Yes, ongoing maintenance is essential for gate system reliability—automatic gates are mechanical systems with moving parts requiring regular service to maintain performance and prevent failures. We offer comprehensive maintenance programs keeping gates operating smoothly.

Preventive Maintenance Includes:

• Operator inspection and lubrication (chain/belt drives, pivot points, hinges)
• Safety device testing (photo eyes, edge sensors, loops) ensuring proper function
• Electrical connection inspection checking for loose or corroded terminals
• Battery backup testing and replacement when needed
• Gate alignment adjustment preventing binding or uneven operation
• Wheel and track cleaning (slide gates) removing debris
• Control board inspection and settings verification
• Minor adjustments and repairs during service visits

Maintenance Program Options:

• Annual Inspection: Once-yearly comprehensive service visit
• Semi-Annual Service: Every 6 months (recommended for high-traffic gates)
• Quarterly Maintenance: Every 3 months for critical gates requiring maximum uptime
• Priority Service Agreements: Regular maintenance plus priority response for emergency repairs

Benefits of Regular Maintenance: Preventive service prevents costly emergency repairs, identifies issues before they cause failures, extends gate operator lifespan, maintains warranty compliance (many warranties require annual service), ensures continued safety device function and code compliance, and provides peace of mind knowing gates are properly maintained.

For property management companies overseeing multiple properties, we provide centralized maintenance management with single scheduling, consistent service standards across all locations, detailed service records, and fleet-wide parts availability. Our local South Florida presence enables rapid response when maintenance or repairs are needed.

Yes, we frequently repair and upgrade existing gate systems—often this is more cost-effective than complete replacement, particularly when gates themselves are in good condition but operators are outdated or failing.

Common Repair Services:

• Operator replacement (upgrading from residential to commercial grade)
• Control board replacement or programming
• Chain or belt drive replacement
• Safety device installation or repair
• Gate welding and structural repairs
• Wheel and track replacement (slide gates)
• Electrical troubleshooting and repair

Common Upgrade Projects:

• Add License Plate Recognition: Retrofit LPR cameras and software to existing gates
• Add Video Intercom: Replace old call boxes with modern video intercom systems
• Cloud Access Control: Upgrade from standalone keypads to cloud-based management
• Mobile Access: Add smartphone-based gate operation for residents
• Safety Device Upgrades: Install modern monitored safety devices meeting current codes
• Battery Backup: Add battery systems maintaining operation during power failures

When to Repair vs Replace:

• Repair/Upgrade: Gates in good structural condition, operator failures, outdated access control, missing safety devices
• Replace: Severely rusted or damaged gates, wrong operator type for application, gates not meeting current code, frequent ongoing failures despite repairs

We provide honest assessments recommending repair when viable and replacement when necessary. Our goal is delivering reliable gate operation at the most cost-effective solution—sometimes that's upgrades, sometimes it's replacement. We explain options clearly enabling informed decisions.

Yes, while our gate automation expertise was built in South Florida over 20+ years, we now provide commercial gate installations nationwide—from Florida to Hawaii, with completed projects across all 50 states.

Geographic Coverage: Our core expertise has always been concentrated in South Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade) and New York City, where we maintain an active office. In 2026, we're expanding to Arizona with a Phoenix metro office. However, we've successfully deployed gate automation systems coast-to-coast for commercial properties, gated communities, and industrial facilities requiring professional installation quality nationwide.

Nationwide Project Experience: California gated communities and business parks, Texas industrial facilities and distribution centers, Hawaii resort properties and residential communities, Northeast business parks and apartment buildings, Mid-Atlantic corporate campuses and industrial facilities, Mountain West storage facilities and logistics centers, Pacific Northwest technology campuses, and Southeastern master-planned communities and commercial properties.

Our Nationwide Approach: Initial consultation and requirements gathering (often remote), detailed gate design using site plans and photos, equipment specification and procurement coordinated centrally, deployment of our professional installation crews to project site, local permit acquisition and inspection coordination where required, comprehensive testing and user training, detailed documentation and warranty information, and ongoing remote support with local service partnerships.

Whether you're in Miami, Manhattan, Phoenix (2026), or anywhere in between, you get the same Fortress Global Technology quality: commercial-grade operators properly sized for your application, licensed contractor installation meeting code requirements, comprehensive safety device installation and testing, proper foundation and electrical work, access control integration capabilities, and reliable ongoing support.

For multi-location companies with properties spanning multiple states, we provide standardized gate automation with centralized management—one contractor, one quality standard, one support contact from coast to coast. Our South Florida and NYC expertise—dealing with HOAs, hurricane requirements, and sophisticated access control—translates perfectly to properties nationwide.

Modern gate automation supports multiple access methods enabling flexible vehicle access management. We design systems accommodating various credential types matching your property's operational needs and user preferences.

Access Methods We Install:

• License Plate Recognition: Hands-free automatic gate opening for authorized vehicles. Most convenient for residents and employees—no cards or tags required.
• Mobile Credentials: Smartphone app-based access via Bluetooth or cloud connection. Residents trigger gate opening from their phone—no physical credentials needed.
• RFID Cards/Key Fobs: Traditional proximity cards or key fobs triggering gate readers. Reliable proven technology, though requires users carry credentials.
• Windshield Tags: Long-range UHF tags triggering gate from 30+ feet. Common for parking facilities and high-speed applications.
• PIN Keypads: Numerical codes entered at keypad. Useful for visitor access or backup when primary credentials unavailable.
• Video Intercom: Two-way communication with camera verification. Residents or property management remotely release gate after visual identification.
• Remote Controls: Garage-door-style remotes operating gate. Least secure option but useful for service vehicles or property management.
• QR Codes: Temporary QR codes texted or emailed to visitors. Scan code at gate for one-time entry.

Multi-Method Systems: Most properties benefit from multiple access methods serving different user groups: residents/employees using LPR or mobile credentials for convenience, visitors using video intercom for verified access, delivery drivers using time-restricted PIN codes, and management using remote controls for service vehicle access.

We design credential strategies balancing convenience, security, and cost based on your property type and user requirements. Cloud-based platforms like Brivo enable easy credential management from anywhere—add/remove users, set access schedules, and review entry logs via web browser or mobile app.