QUESTION
Gatehouse construction
11/14/2018
We are planning to replace our gatehouse sometime in the coming year pending member approval. Initial steps have been taken with a local architect who has offered some preliminary renderings. I was wondering if any of you have recently undergone a renovation or new construction project on your gate house? Specifically, what considerations for technology, layout, design etc. did you discuss? Who did you use and/or who would you recommend for the design? I am not certain if the current architect has ever designed a security gate house. Thanks for your help.
Mariner Sands – Pete Drucker
REPLIES
Mark Chapman – Stone Lake Ranch
Whatever you plan for make sure you add now for the future needs and technology. Don’t put yourself behind the 8 ball and in 5 years wish you had of done it different.
Our gatehouse size is fine, but the layout is difficult, as well they did not put in two full lanes. We need one for guest and one for owners. It was a cluster as the developer had to changed locations for the main entry due to an existing bridge and creek that was to be on the main drive. The cost to remove and rebuild a new bridge caused the last minute change of locations for the main entry. I came into the community too late to have input on this but did have input on the private entry that was to be the main entry. It works great and glad I had input to change the original layout.
Marie Puckett – Fiddlers Creek
Sorry our gate is 20 years old. I would love to redesign it! Good luck.
Ryan Bell – Fiddlesticks
I am curious as to the responses on this one. We are in the design phase of redoing our gatehouse as well. I have attached a picture of a very preliminary rough draft idea for the layout.
Daniel O’Connell – Williams Island
Just an FYI on my recent experience as we rebuilt our gate house in 2013
Low voltage (fiber and conduit runs) and plenty of power In your gate house.
This is something that you really need to plan for with your I.T. guys, electrical contractor, camera and access control partners as need to be involved keeping in mind,,, what you will need now and in the future.
You will find that most architects and electrical contractors will not plan for the low voltage aspect and this is where you may have to elbow yourself in… I had to draw my own plans for low voltage on 3 sperate projects here by 3 different architects.
The architect is there to make it pretty and will just design the shell and most of your security systems today and tomorrow will depend a good low voltage plan that can be expanded upon. I made the mistake of using ¾ inch conduit in my roadway and should have used 2 inch as they are already filled with data cables. You also need to make sure you have plenty of power and electrical outlets for Desk tops, Monitors & charging stations.
When I was handed the plans for the new gate house the electrical contractor had put in for analog cameras when we had already been using l.P. based cameras, no low voltage what so ever and 80 % of what we have is low voltage The electrical plan also had a D-mark for 10 phones and we don’t even use analog phones except for 1 copper line that comes into the gate house. Keep a copper phone line in your gate for phone service as its rare a copper line will ever go out and is a very good back up. We use I.P. phone and if they fail it does not matter as those calls roll over to the cooper line. If not already planned get a generator for your gate house. The Security gate is the heart of the community and needs to be in operation at all times especially after a disaster event.
My I.T. guy and I drew all of the low voltage plans from the architects blueprints for our 2 gate houses, our spa and our restaurant. Then we met with and submitted our plans ( Hand drawn) to the G.C. who bid it out.
All of our conduit runs included the data cable or fiber as well…..
Who is supplying the network for your systems? Is it public (comcast or AT&T) or is it private, if you can get both and use the public for back up which is what we do.
Lots of windows so your staff can see what’s going on around them as well. The views of the officer from inside the gate and when they step outside are critical…
Also look at the landscaping plan as sometimes Board members want lots of plants and pot which attract bugs to hide the gate house LOL!
Michael Charbonneau – Wyndemere
Check Mirasol in PB Gardens. I assisted in the design of that facility. Believe is one of the most functional I have worked with.
Marvin Vasquez – The Plantation
Not here my friend
Scott DeAtley – Boca Grove
Mark Hall, Frenchmen’s Creek
Tim Cook – The Landings
Not recent, but very versed. If you need me to come down and review your plans, I’d be more than willing.
I’ll just need a hotel room for a few nights! I’ll pay for gas and food.
Seriously, every gatehouse is unique.
Staging
Gates
Officer Friendly
Inclement weather
Ease of access and distinguishing between guest and resident lanes
Line of sight issues
“spinning” unauthorized persons prior to them entering the community
Traffic flow during construction
Ah, the list is rather long.
Warren Raymond – Porta Vita South Tower
Important project definitely have a Security person involved, bathroom, AC, Tech, cameras, computers, cell, emergency service, electric power is a bigee, all REAL important, usually they are built way to small, under powered, allow for a parking spot for guard, smoking, monitors, comfort, lots of stuff, contact CAI for articles, Community Association Institute, google it too.
Josh Bieri – Loblolly
We are looking at new gatehouses as well. I can only tell that permitting takes approximately 4 months. Dream works was the lowest bidder in our circumstance.
From my experience I would say make sure you have power and cat 5/6 connections everywhere… on the floor, counter level, and up high.
If you have any more questions or anything, I am always available. Let me know if I can help more.
