Controlled Products Systems Group SLIDESMART DC 10F - Manual (Page 21)

Wind Load Factors & Site Prep
Revision D Safety Requirements S-9
W
IND
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OAD
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Wind load is always a factor when considering the appropriate gate for a particular site. Solid gate panels
produce a larger wind load than gates with slats or open decorative features. If you are installing a gate operator
in high wind areas, the gate design will affect the load on the gate operator. Because wind force acts the same as
an obstruction, it is important that gates be designed to present a relatively low surface area for the wind to
push on the gate panel.
If the gate is heavy and near the weight capacity of what the gate operator can handle (see specifications for
SlideSmartDC on the back cover), make sure it has an open design that allows wind to flow through it. A solid
or semi-solid gate design under certain wind load conditions may cause damage to the gate operator and is not
covered by the HySecurity Limited Warranty.
Several factors play into the calculations of the wind load on a gate panel. To find out the maximum wind
speed in areas around the United States, search for US government wind speed maps on the internet. If you
don’t know how to calculate for wind load, ask a mechanical engineer or site architect for assistance prior to
installing the gate operator and gate panels.
SlideSmartDC incorporates a primary Type-A inherent entrapment sensor (IES) into its design per UL 325
Safety Standards. (More information about adjusting the adaptive IES software can be found in this manual
under, Adjusting the IES Sensitivity.) When the IES trips, it sends a signal to the gate operator to stop and
reverse direction. This feature may be falsely triggered in excessively windy conditions because the wind itself,
acting over the surface area of the gate panel, can provide the necessary force to trigger the IES.
CAUTION !
Do not adjust IES sensitivity to accommodate for inappropriately designed gate panels. Loss of
IES sensitivity increases mechanical wear on the gate hardware and the gate operator. It may
also pose a safety hazard. Compensating for wind loads by adjusting the IES may set the IES
sensitivity to a level which, when encountering an obstruction, ignores the obstruction and fails
to reverse direction. For more information, refer to Adjusting the IES Sensitivity.