Cherry Gates of Eastbourne previously installed FAAC 640 barriers on a lifting bridge in another part of the marina. Their expertise made them the ideal choice to replace the existing lock barriers which didn’t provide the required level of safety when the gates started their opening and closing cycle. Shaun White of Cherry Gates said, “FAAC was the obvious choice as we needed 100% reliability.

The lock gates are operated frequently all day and night for regular marina traffic, but have to be opened at short notice when the lifeboat
is called out.” The FAAC system includes flashing lights and audible warnings to alert pedestrians to the imminent lowering of the barriers prior to the opening of the lock gates. If anyone attempts to pass under the lowering barriers, photooptic beams ensure the barriers’ descent is halted immediately. When finally down and magnetically locked in place, the barriers’ safety interlocks allow the lock gates to begin their opening cycle. Keeping a close eye on the proceedings, operators using touch screen controls in the Harbour Office monitor every opening cycle of the lock gates.

More … FAAC’s 640 barrier system is designed for the management of heavy traffic required by large commercial applications but is also ideally suited for stylish, high profile sites such as the marina in Eastbourne. In addition to its robust and hardwearing, yet slim-line appearance, the 640 barrier features anti-crush hydraulics, a locking system for both open and closed positions, and manual release.

Andy Osman is General Manager at Sovereign Harbour Marina and is delighted with the installation saying, “This system of access control is ensuring public safety on the largest locks in Europe. A significant number of people come here to enjoy the boats so the barrier system had to be special.

The FAAC equipment installed by Cherry Gates is the perfect solution for us.”

With more than 40 years experience, FAAC is a world leader in access control automation. The company has manufacturing and development facilities in Italy and Ireland and distributes its products in more than 90 countries. FAAC (UK), based in Basingstoke, is the market leader in residential and commercial markets which it serves through a national network of 800 approved installers, all trained to FAAC’s high standards.