What Is Turnstile Access Control?

Designed to work seamlessly with the ebb and flow of people in and out of a building, turnstile access control should be as unobtrusive as it is effective. While turnstile gates and barriers exist to keep unauthorised individuals out, they should also be as practical as possible for those with the right access. We’ve gathered the basics on turnstile access control systems to act as an introduction to this physical security technology.

What Are Turnstiles?

Access control turnstiles automatically regulate entry to a designated building or area, usually on a one-by-one basis. Most turnstile gates require only low power to work, so can be installed with safe operating voltage. Unmanned turnstile systems can be programmed to admit access only to those with specific security information or credentials, without the need for human intervention.

What Are Turnstiles Used For?

As the actual barrier hardware that either admits or refuses access to a space, turnstile gates control not only who can pass through them, but how many at a time. Depending on where they are installed, access control turnstiles of different types and sizes can be used to admit pedestrians or vehicles.

Turnstile systems can be surprisingly versatile. Switching turnstile operating modes can change their function from allowing single passage in one direction to single passage in both, from locked in both directions, to free passage in either one or both directions. A lock chamber access mode can add a level of video or biometric verification to a turnstile for extra security.

What Types of Turnstiles Entry Systems Are There?

As automated technologies have become more advanced over time, so too have turnstile gate entry systems. Not only is there a range of turnstile barrier types to suit different spaces and access control requirements, turnstiles can be integrated with peripheral or wider security systems in order to further verify entry permission.

Types of Turnstile Gates

Waist height pedestrian turnstile gates : One of the most common types of access control turnstile, waist height pedestrian gates can take the form of a revolving tripod, rising arm, sliding or rotating barrier to ensure only one person passes through at once. Once access is granted, some waist height turnstile types require the person passing through to push the barrier out of the way (such as tripod barriers), while others automatically open to allow entry.

Full height pedestrian turnstile gates: Offering a higher level of physical security, full height turnstile gates are much more difficult to pass through without clearance. Traditional revolving doors offer a form of access control simply by limiting the number of people who can enter and exit, glass security or ‘airlock’ portals close on one side before opening on the other.

Optical pedestrian turnstiles: Capable of regulating access without any kind of physical barrier, optical turnstiles work by monitoring people who pass through with ID cards or badges using infrared light beams. If an optical turnstile detects an unauthorised entry, the system raises an alarm or signal.

Vehicle access control turnstiles: Barriers with lifting boom arms control access for vehicles as they move in and out of car parks, toll roads and bridges. Arms can be fitted with chain or ladder-style barrier skirts that prevent pedestrians ducking under vehicle turnstiles.

Turnstiles that JKDC SECURITY Can Provide

As a one-stop security solution supplier, JKDC SECURITY continuously provides high quality and high cost-effective products to help improve a safer world. Product ranges include X-ray Baggage Scanner, Tripod Turnstile, Swing Turnstile, Flap Barrier, and Full Height Turnstiles. Whether your security equipping needs are for a high-risk conflict zone or in daily operations, we’re there.