When Tilbury Container Services invested in a new computerised check-in system, they set a specification for the vehicle barriers which very few gate automation manufacturers could aspire to.
With a constant stream of vehicles accessing the site, the barriers would be expected to work 24/7. Fibre Options Ltd, who had supplied and installed the site's CCTV fibre infrastructure, were therefore asked to recommend barriers that could reliably withstand a continuously high workload.
After extensive research Fibre Options introduced vehicle barrier and turnstile experts KSM Securities Ltd to the project. KSM Securities, who also specialise in the supply & installation of gates and fencing, worked closely with Fibre Options in making the decision to recommend Harrier barriers manufactured by Aprimatic.
Before the order was placed the Harrier was put through its paces to ensure it could cope with the projected high workload. One of the barriers was tested over a six week period during which it was set to rise every few seconds on a continuous cycle. The tests proved the high reliability of the Aprimatic mechanics and gave Fibre Options Ltd and KSM Securities Ltd the confidence to recommend the Harrier to Tilbury Container Services.
Ten Harrier barriers have now been installed at the lorry access points to the container areas whilst another two barriers are sited at the entrance/exits of a car park. The barriers, which are made of stainless steel, are set at a height so that drivers of vehicles can see them thereby avoiding accidental damage.
Tilbury Container Services operate what is the first purpose-built container terminal built in the UK. It is home to many of the world's important shipping lines and is open for business 24 hours, 7 days each week. A recent investment has increased the capacity of the terminal to over 700,000 TEU.
