Understand The 3 Main Types Of Turnstiles And Their Uses

Need to improve access control? Understanding the types of turnstile gates can help. This guide covers waist-high, full-height, and optical turnstiles, detailing their uses and benefits. By the end, you’ll know which type is right for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Waist-high turnstiles are versatile and cost-effective solutions for efficient access control in various environments but are limited by smaller passage widths, unsuitable for individuals with large luggage.
• Full-height turnstiles provide maximum security, ideal for high-risk locations like data centres and prisons, and are effective in preventing unauthorised access but can cause bottlenecks during high-traffic periods.
• Optical turnstiles use infrared sensors for access control, making them suitable for high-traffic areas requiring security and aesthetic appeal, such as corporate lobbies and universities.

1. Waist-High Turnstiles

Waist-high turnstiles, often known as tripod turnstiles, are a familiar sight in many public and private facilities. These tripod turnstile systems are designed to provide efficient access control by allowing only one person to pass through at a time. The three rotating arms of the turnstile gate act as a physical barrier, ensuring that unauthorised entries are prevented and maintaining a secure and managed entry point.

Waist-high turnstiles are versatile, which is one of their significant advantages. They can be used in a wide range of environments, from parks and schools to metro stations and airports. These turnstiles are relatively low-cost and offer good waterproof and dustproof capabilities, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. However, they do have some limitations, such as a relatively small passage width and not being suitable for individuals carrying large luggage.

Despite certain limitations, the reliable strength and security of waist-high turnstiles keep them a favoured choice for various facilities. They can be easily integrated with access control devices, ensuring that only authorised individuals gain entry. This makes them ideal for locations where controlled access is essential, such as government buildings, shopping malls, and sports facilities.

2. Full-Height Turnstiles

Full-height turnstiles are the preferred solution in environments demanding maximum security. These imposing structures extend to the full height of a standard doorway, effectively preventing unauthorised access by making it impossible to climb over or crawl under them. Typically standing about seven to eight feet high, full-height turnstiles are built to withstand heavy industrial use and can be customised with features like bi-directional systems and biometric integration.

Full-height turnstiles are commonly found in high-risk locations such as:

• Data centers
• Prisons
• Military facilities
• Government buildings

Their robust construction ensures that they can handle the demands of these environments while providing a secure yet user-friendly atmosphere. However, their large and bulky appearance can sometimes lead to bottlenecks during high-traffic periods.

Although large, full-height turnstiles provide unmatched security. They can be integrated with various access control systems to ensure that only authorised personnel gain entry. This makes them an ideal choice for facilities where security is paramount. Whether it’s a data centre or a military facility, full-height turnstiles provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing that access is tightly controlled.

3. Optical Turnstiles

Optical turnstiles, including speed gates, represent a modern approach to access control. These turnstiles use infrared sensors to detect individuals passing through, eliminating the need for physical barriers. This makes them particularly suitable for environments where aesthetics are important, such as corporate lobbies and building entrances.

Being designed for high-traffic areas with quick throughput, speed gates – a type of optical turnstile – are perfect for busy establishments such as universities and apartment complexes. They not only control access but also provide valuable data by counting the number of people entering a venue, ensuring that capacity limits are not exceeded. In restricted access scenarios, users must provide credentials to pass through, and unauthorised attempts trigger visible or audible alarms to alert security personnel.

The seamless integration of optical turnstiles with access control systems enhances security without compromising the aesthetic appeal of a facility. These turnstiles are an excellent choice for locations that require both efficient access control and a sophisticated appearance. Whether it’s a corporate lobby or a university campus, optical turnstiles provide a sleek and secure solution for managing pedestrian flow.

Enhancing Security with Turnstile Gates

Serving as more than mere barriers, turnstile gates form integral components of a comprehensive security system. By integrating with CCTV, biometric scanners, and alarm systems, turnstile gates provide robust security solutions for various facilities. They manage the pedestrian flow and prevent unauthorised entry by requiring credentials for access, thus enhancing the overall security of the building.

The ability to monitor and record every entrance and exit stands as a significant advantage of turnstile access control systems. This data is invaluable for security audits and helps in maintaining a secure environment. Additionally, turnstiles can be configured to either unlock or remain locked in the event of emergencies or power outages, ensuring that security protocols are maintained.

Turnstiles offer several benefits, including:

• Automating access control, which minimises the need for security personnel and reduces labour costs
• Enhancing efficiency by streamlining the entry process
• Maintaining a secure environment by combining technology with human oversight
• Tightly controlling access to facilities

These advantages make turnstile door access control an effective solution for access control.

Choosing the Right Turnstile for Your Needs

Selecting the right turnstile for your needs involves considering various factors such as location, security requirements, and expected traffic volume. The environment where the turnstile will be placed plays a crucial role in this decision. For instance, areas with corrosive elements like sand or salt air require turnstiles made from weather-resistant materials.

Another important consideration is the average time it takes for a person with an ID to pass through a turnstile, which is about five seconds. This helps in evaluating the number of people that need to pass through within a specific time frame, ensuring that the chosen turnstile can handle the expected traffic volume. Additionally, it’s essential to determine if ADA pedestrian access is required to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Turnstiles can operate in single or bi-directional modes, providing operational flexibility for different times of the day. This is particularly useful in settings where the flow of people changes throughout the day, such as office buildings or public transport hubs. By considering the types of turnstiles available and these factors, you can select the most suitable turnstile for your specific needs, ensuring both security and convenience.

Integrating Turnstile Gates with Access Control Systems

Integrating turnstile gates with access control systems is a powerful way to enhance security. These turnstiles can seamlessly integrate with a building’s existing access control system, limiting the number and direction of entries and preventing tailgating. This integration enhances security by ensuring that only authorised individuals gain access to restricted areas.

Portable access control turnstiles, such as swing turnstile gates, can be integrated into existing access control systems, offering flexible and secure control of entry. This is particularly useful for temporary installations or events where security needs may change. Portable turnstile gates, for example, can be integrated with dry contact output access control systems, providing single- or bi-directional access as needed.

By integrating turnstiles with other security systems like surveillance cameras and biometric readers, facilities can achieve a higher level of security. This integration reduces the need for human intervention in access control processes, making it more efficient and reliable.

In emergencies, the data from card reader-equipped turnstile gates can aid in implementing lockdowns, evacuations, and emergency temporary access control procedures using temporary access control barriers.

Applications of Turnstile Gates

Turnstile gates are used in a variety of applications to control and manage pedestrian flow. Some common uses of turnstile gates include:

• Providing convenient access for ticket holders at entertainment venues
• Preventing overcrowding at events
• Managing large crowds at sports stadiums, including at main entrances and entrances to different zones within the stadium

Security turnstiles are heavily relied upon by urban rail transit systems, including subway and ticketing gate systems, to regulate access and maintain smooth operations. These turnstiles are also used in high-security checkpoints such as industrial sites, oil refineries, power plants, and prisons to enforce stringent access control measures.

Turnstiles are also ideal for facilities like amusement parks and public transportation terminals where payment enforcement is required. Entrance turnstiles in places like sports venues, fulfilment centres, and warehouses help manage access and ensure that only authorised personnel enter. These applications demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of turnstile gates in various settings.

Maintenance and Durability of Turnstile Gates

To ensure the durability and continued operation of turnstile gates, regular maintenance is vital. It is recommended to have turnstile systems serviced at least twice a year to check for damage, clean debris, secure hardware, and replace minor parts. Routine checks should include inspecting connection points, testing supply voltage, and ensuring proper gear meshing.

Preventative maintenance packages can be tailored to include planned preventative maintenance or reactive-only services, depending on the needs of the facility. Turnstiles are constructed from weather-resistant materials, allowing them to be used both internally and externally. If there are signs of issues, such as strange noises or slow operation, professional engineers should be called immediately to assess and fix the problem.

Should a breakdown occur, assessing the damage, cordoning off the area, informing relevant personnel, and contracting maintenance services are important steps. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of turnstile gates but also ensures that they remain operational and secure, providing continuous protection and access control.

Summary

In summary, understanding the different types of turnstiles and their uses is crucial for enhancing security and managing access in various facilities. Waist-high turnstiles are ideal for controlled access in low to medium-security environments, while full-height turnstiles offer maximum security for high-risk locations. Optical turnstiles provide a sleek and efficient solution for aesthetically important environments.

Choosing the right turnstile involves considering factors such as location, security requirements, and traffic volume. Integrating turnstiles with access control systems further enhances security and reduces the need for human intervention. Regular maintenance ensures the durability and continued operation of turnstile gates, making them a reliable component of any access control strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of turnstiles and what are their uses?

The main types of turnstiles are waist-high turnstiles, full-height turnstiles, and optical turnstiles, each used for controlled access, maximum security, and aesthetically important environments, respectively.

How do turnstile gates enhance security?

Turnstile gates enhance security by integrating with various systems like CCTV and biometric scanners to manage the pedestrian flow and prevent unauthorised entry. This creates a comprehensive security solution for any facility.

What factors should be considered when choosing a turnstile?

When choosing a turnstile, it’s important to consider factors such as location, security requirements, traffic volume, and the need for ADA compliance and bi-directional operation. These factors will help determine the most suitable option for your specific needs.

How are turnstile gates integrated with access control systems?

Turnstile gates are integrated with access control systems to effectively manage the number and direction of entries, prevent tailgating, and minimise the need for manual oversight. This integration offers enhanced security and operational efficiency.

What maintenance is required for turnstile gates?

Regular maintenance, such as checking for damage and cleaning debris, is essential to ensure the durability and continued operation of turnstile gates. Keeping the hardware secured and replacing minor parts as needed is also important.