Ronstar
Moderator Emeritus
Still the gates slow them down a lot, and I wonder if all have sensors ?
Plus, you better never have a heart attack during a power failure.
Fire trucks could just ram the gate during a power failure, but I don't know if that is their protocol and perhaps only if they can see the flames so they know it's not a false alarm?
I don't think all have sensors. But from what I've read, the system in our town is tied to the system in emergency vehicles that preempts traffic signals. So enroute, they can control traffic signals and open the entrance gate. Very slick.
I vaguely remember that the systems have back up batteries.
I worked on the design of a residential development once where there were questions whether our culdesac roadway design would facilitate emergency response. To prove it, we laid out our culdesac design in a large parking lot, and had their largest fire truck try it out. It worked out ok - but the firemen really didn't care too much about the details- they told me that they run down gates, mailboxes, etc - whatever it takes to get to the fire.