From Two Barriers to Six – Building Trust at a COMAH-Regulated Brewery

Sector: Manufacturing / Industrial (COMAH) | Focus: Operational Continuity, Safety Compliance, Long-Term Partnership

Project Overview

CM Gates & Barriers was initially appointed to replace two ageing automatic barriers at the main HGV entrance of one of Scotland’s leading COMAH-regulated brewery sites. Operating within a highly regulated environment, the project demanded a contractor capable of delivering safe, reliable access control while maintaining uninterrupted site operations.

The successful completion of the initial works quickly established confidence in our team. Impressed by the quality of our installation, professionalism and attention to detail, the client invited us back to replace every remaining barrier across the site, including entrances used by staff vehicles.

Key Challenges

Working within a COMAH-regulated manufacturing facility required careful planning and execution to ensure both safety and operational continuity.

Key project requirements included:

• Maintaining secure access for HGV deliveries, staff and authorised visitors
• Minimising disruption to daily manufacturing operations
• Replacing ageing barrier systems that had become unreliable
• Delivering a long-term solution suitable for a high-traffic industrial environment
• Meeting the stringent safety expectations associated with a COMAH-regulated site

Our Solution

Following a comprehensive site survey, our engineers developed a phased replacement programme to upgrade the site’s access infrastructure while keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.

The project included:

• Replacement of six automatic barriers across multiple vehicle entrances
• Installation of new 4-6 metre barrier systems
• Full safety radar protection at each barrier
• Barrier foundation upgrades to improve structural integrity and long-term reliability
• System commissioning, testing and handover in accordance with current safety standards

Safety & Compliance Assurance

Every installation was completed with safety, reliability and long-term performance at its core. By upgrading both the barrier systems and their supporting infrastructure, the brewery now benefits from robust, dependable access control capable of supporting a busy industrial operation.

More importantly, this project demonstrates the value of building long-term client relationships. What began as a two-barrier replacement developed into a full-site upgrade because the client had confidence in our workmanship, technical expertise and commitment to delivering projects safely and professionally. For organisations operating in critical environments, that trust is every bit as important as the equipment itself.

Looking for a Reliable Access Control Partner?

Every site has different operational, security, and compliance requirements. From schools and commercial premises to industrial and COMAH-regulated facilities, we deliver bespoke gate, barrier, and access control solutions designed for long-term reliability.

If you’re planning a project or need advice on an existing system, we’d be happy to help.

📞 01506 332 021
✉️ info@cmelectricalgates.co.uk