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Barrier and Security Gate Arms

barrier arm in the parking lot

Vortex specializes in commercial door service, repair and replacement, as well as access control systems, such as barrier and security gate arms.

barrier arm in the parking lot

Barrier arms are one of the most adaptable security devices on the market. Available in a variety of sizes and configurations, they can be custom fit to almost any location.

  • Standard Barrier Arms. The most commonly installed barrier arm. Built to manage heavy traffic, they consist of a single pole up to 15 feet long.
  • Wishbone Barrier Arms. Designed to control wide traffic lanes at industrial and manufacturing sites, these arms are up to 30 feet long, made up of two poles installed on either side of the supporting post, for added stability.  I”m not sure what this is?
  • Articulating Barrier Arms. Built for spaces with low ceilings or overhead obstacles, such as power lines, that could prevent a rigid arm from raising to its full height. Articulating arms have a hinge that allows them to fold in on themselves as they’re raised, reducing their height by up to half.
  • Automatic Barrier Arms. Raise automatically after being activated by a keypad, card reader, proximity sensor, or smartphone app.
Hand Held Card To The Scanner To Open The Car

Service and Repair

Barrier arms can experience mechanical and electrical issues and often are damaged by vehicles. Vortex technicians are trained to service, repair, and replace all critical parts, in order to minimize downtime. We know these units are critical to the security of your building and property, which is why our teams are ready to respond quickly to any and all issues, including:

barrier arm at entrance of a garage
  • Worn or Broken Parts. Though barrier arms are designed to function for years, problems can arise over time due to repeated use. Vortex service technicians inspect gears, belts, and bearings to identify problems before breaks occur.
  • Sensor Malfunction. Damaged sensors prevent barriers from opening to admit authorized users or cause them to close unexpectedly, possibly harming vehicles. Accumulated dirt and debris can also interfere with sensors, preventing them from reading signals or detecting vehicles.
  • Faulty Control System. Barrier arms are operated by an electric control board. Incorrect programming, bad software, or damage from a rainstorm or power surge can cause them to open inconsistently or incorrectly.
  • Corrosion. Unless properly sealed, rain, snow, and ice can deteriorate bolts, hinges, and other metal components, preventing the arm from opening and closing smoothly.
  • Communication Issues. Poor wiring can prevent the control board from signaling the motor, leading to access problems. If the unit is part of a larger access control system, problems within the network can lead to operational difficulties.

Vortex not only repairs barrier arms, we also help extend their lifespan and lower the cost of ownership through our preventative maintenance programs. We can even upgrade your existing equipment to improve its reliability and performance.

Fully Certified & Accredited Commercial Door Experts

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What Our Customers Are Saying

Excellent
4.8
Keir S.
Greg is kind, courteous and a professional. Hands down best glass guy ever!
Gene C.
My man, Brian did a great job saw him here for numerous hours, putting in Mager work and came out with nothing but success please give this man as much work as he can handle He is an asset to the company definitely knows how to put in work and find solutions
Jose C.
Jose came and worked on our dock doors. He did a good job on getting them fixed. Also paper work very detailed on work that was performed.
RENE P.
John and Ernie did sush a wonderful job. Such great professional guys
Ronald H.
John and Brad were very personal complete the job quickly and explained things in detail Would highly recommend
Justin P.
Connor B. And Jonathan H. Did awesome work replacing our front door at Napa Auto Parts Quick and efficiently no problems at all.
Robynn
Jeff Burbine was excellent! There were issues with the initial wiring, but Jeff stayed ALL DAY to make sure it got done. He even cleaned up after he left leaving the place better than when he found it! I'd recommend him to any of our Options for Youth locations!
KB Property M.
My Vortex service technician named John Melton was able fix the problem a broken garage door roller and replaced a busted swing arm on the office door quickly. It was also nice that his truck was well stocked and did not have to run around looking for parts or supplies.
Greg P.
Overhead doors have been a nightmare the past 3-4 years. Had a 12' X 14' one damaged by high wind. The only (or perhaps first) company who could get it replaced the next day turned out to be a firefighters part time business. Installation was less than perfect and actuator acted up frequently, the tracks were not straight and so on. About three months ago something happened to a cable causing the door to fall on one side, stuck about two feet from closing. Called the same phone number and got "garage doors" as the answer. Didn't think much about that and someone did show up late in the day. Unfortunately anything bigger than a single residential door scared him and he only assisted me in cutting the cables allowing the door to drop and close. $400 for after hours show up! Next day they sent their commercial door expert. He worked on it most of the day including a 2-3 hour trip to get parts because he did not have appropriate size parts on his truck (if any parts at all). He spent several hours charged $1800 before leaving and it sorta worked OK until last night when the actuator would not work to close it. I put a call into Vortex Doors for a call back this morning which came promptly. The seemingly knowledgeable young lady told me they had quite a few emergency calls and would probably not be able to get out until next week which was OK with me. A little after 3:30 I get a call saying they had a tech who could come and inspect to see what was wrong. Andy showed up a few minutes later (we are only about a mile away as it turned out). My instructions were I just wanted it to work reliably for a few years. We had a brief discussion pointing out things to each other and he got right to work making numerous adjustments and checking it out from stem to stern. In a little over two hours he had made changes, adjustments and likely completed and repaired the original installation, pointed out everything he did, left me with copies of his check sheets. I ask if he had a bill for me and was told the office would contact me...no credit card robbery on the spot! Andy was obviously more knowledgeable than anyone else who had touched the door. The service was professional, courteous, prompt and overall great. I will not make the mistake of calling anyone else in the future. Thanks Andy and thanks Vortex Doors!
Vortex Doors - since 1937

Perfect service, incredibly fast.

Please call us at (800) 698-6783 for 24/7 customer support.

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