Comprehensive guide to installing and using retail security gates
Lessons from post-installation visits
This is the second pass — written specifically from what we have found returning to stores six, twelve and twenty-four months after installing. The pattern of issues is remarkably consistent.
The most common post-install fault
Loose floor anchors. Constant foot traffic loosens cheap expansion bolts within months, and a wobbling antenna detunes itself. Specify M10 or larger anchors at install time.
The second most common
Cashier deactivator drift. The 58 kHz pad slowly loses field strength as capacitors age. After 18 months, half of pads we audit need replacement or recalibration.
The third
EMI from new neighbouring tenants. A jewellery shop opening next door with its own RF system can cripple yours overnight. Mitigate with directional shielding or frequency offset.
- Photograph the install from four angles before sign-off.
- Keep the bolt torque spec sheet on file.
- Test the deactivator pad weekly with a live tag.
Vista EAS issues a sign-off photo pack after every install.
