Security gates are often bought on trust. 

They look heavy. They look secure. 

But could they stop a vehicle or slow an intruder long enough to matter? If your gates aren’t certified, you can’t be sure. 

Many security issues start when organisations buy uncertified security gates. 

Across commercial, industrial, and public sector environments, more buyers are discovering that not all SR gates are what they claim to be. A gate labelled as “security rated” or “SR-rated” does not automatically mean it has been independently tested, certified, or engineered to perform under real attack conditions.

The risks of getting this wrong are rarely obvious at the point of purchase. They tend to surface later, during audits, incidents, insurance claims, or compliance reviews. 

But at this point, it’s often too late. In this blog, we’ll uncover the hidden risks of buying an uncertified security gate and why SR-rated gates are so important. 

What “SR-Rated”  is Supposed to Mean

“SR-rated” is not a design feature. It’s a performance classification.

In the UK, recognised SR ratings are defined through independent testing standards such as LPS 1175. These tests simulate forced attack using specific tools over a defined time period, with the gate required to resist entry for a verified duration.

A genuinely certified SR gate will have been physically tested. Its structure, fixings, infill, and locking points all must be assessed as a complete system. Certification applies to that exact configuration, not just the concept of the gate.

If a gate hasn’t been tested, then it cannot be rated, regardless of how it’s described in a brochure. 

Always ensure that any security gates you purchase are verifiably tested. You can check if a gate is SR-rated in the LPCB’s RedBook Live. 

The False Economy of Uncertified Security Gates

Uncertified SR gates exist for one main reason. They are cheaper to specify.

On paper, they’re similar to certified options. Comparable materials. Automation. Reinforced frames. 

But apply a little pressure?

Many fail earlier than expected. Some fail almost immediately. 

When your gate is uncertified, you have no guarantee that it will resist impact, levering or sustained attack. This creates a false sense of security that could leave your sites exposed to risks you believed were already mitigated.

Compliance and Liability Risks You May Not See Coming

When a specification calls for an SR-rated gate, certification is not optional.

If an audit, investigation or insurance review asks for proof and none exists, responsibility will likely not sit with the supplier; it’ll sit with you. 

In the event of a breach, investigation, or insurance claim, questions will be asked about whether the security solution met the stated requirement. A gate that was “described as SR-rated” but never tested may leave you exposed.

This issue comes up regularly on commercial sites where electric security gates form part of a wider access control system and are assumed to meet a standard they were never tested against.

Automatic Security Gates are Often a Weak Point

Automatic security gates introduce additional complexity.

Motors, hinges, drive arms, control panels, and safety systems all affect how a gate behaves under load. On uncertified systems, these components are rarely tested together under attack conditions.

In real terms, this means automation will often fail first. Drive mechanisms can shear. Fixings can fail. Safety overrides can disengage security under pressure.

Certified security-rated gates are tested as complete assemblies, ensuring that automation does not undermine physical resistance. Without that validation, performance assumptions are guesswork.

The Long-Term Cost Nobody Budgets For

The problems you’ll face don’t just stop at security. 

Uncertified gates are often built without accounting for long-term mechanical stress. Over time, misalignment, wear and tear take their toll, resulting in misalignment (and inevitable malfunction), increasing maintenance costs

Buying the cheaper gate might seem good at the time, but after a couple of callouts and component replacements, costs start stacking up.

Certified SR gates are designed to survive repeated cycles as well as attack testing. They have to be. Durability isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential.

Why Certification is Incredibly Important

Certification is not simply about passing a test. It creates clarity.

It gives you documented proof that the security-rated gate performs as specified. 

It supports insurers, auditors, and stakeholders. 

It reduces ambiguity when responsibilities are questioned.

For sites using commercial security gates as part of a layered security approach, certification ensures the physical barrier does what it is supposed to do, not just what it looks like it should do.

How to Choose Appropriate SR-Rated Gates

When assessing SR gates, it is worth asking direct questions:

• Is it independently certified to a recognised standard such as LPS 1175?
• Does that certification apply to the exact configuration being supplied?
• Has the automation been tested as part of the system?

If those answers are unclear, the risk transfers to you.

Certified ranges, such as our TYTAN SR gate range, are designed specifically to remove that uncertainty. They are tested, rated, and documented, giving confidence that the security rating is real rather than implied.

If you’re comparing manual versus automatic options, you need to understand how certification applies across different gate types too. Guidance on choosing the right swing gate system, whether manual or automated, can help align security performance with operational needs.

It’s a big decision, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. 

Choose the Right Fully Certified SR Gates

Most security gates aren’t challenged when they’re installed.

They’re challenged when something goes wrong. 

It’s a lot to consider. We understand that getting this wrong isn’t an option for you, which is why we’re here to support. 

Give us a shout for bespoke advice, tailored to meet your premises’ security needs. 

At Parking Facilities, we’ve been working in the industry for decades. We’ve got the knowledge and facilities needed to ensure you choose the gates that deliver optimal security, all year round. 

The first step is getting in touch. Let’s talk.