What is the difference between speed gates and turnstiles? And other FAQs

Speed gates and turnstiles. They fulfil the same role in a building, making entry throughout a building a smoother, safer and more organised process. There are some fundamental differences between them though, and as the experts here at EA Group, we want to explain them today.

First, it’s helpful to explain exactly what speed gates and turnstiles are.

What are speed gates?

Speed gates are a medium security entry solution that are usually waist-high. Speed gates are usually made up of a body, a gate, and an access control system. The gate can open in a variety of ways depending on the model you choose. Some swing open or closed, while slide lanes feature panels that retract.

What are turnstiles?

The most common type of turnstiles are tripod turnstiles. These reliable entrance solutions are made up of a body and three rotating arms. These are a much more established entry solution. Though they may lack visual impact, they more than make up for it in functionality.

What are the different types of speed gate?

There is more than one type of speed gate. They are usually differentiated by their method of opening. Swing lanes are arguably the most common. As the name suggests, they feature a gate that swings open and closed automatically. Swing lanes are excellent as their size can be customised to accommodate varying levels of accessibility.

Slide lanes feature glass sliding panels that retract when authorised by an access control system. These slide lanes can be customised in terms of height for better security and have a very fast opening and closing time.

Speed lanes are a variation on slide lanes. The difference between them is that speed lanes have a more ergonomic and elegant design. Depending on the aesthetic style of your building, these incredibly modern solutions could be right for you. They feature a 0.8 second opening/closing time, to prevent tailgating.

What other types of turnstiles are available?

The classic tripod turnstile is one that is instantly recognisable from train stations, stadiums and events of all kinds. What you might not have seen before is a Glass-Pass security turnstile. These turnstiles are full-height and are designed for un-attended areas where security still needs to be kept tight. Glass-Pass turnstiles are visually impressive, being designed mostly from glass as the name suggests!

We also offer different variations on the tripod turnstile. Our newest are electromechanical turnstiles, which are ideal for the transport and events sector. They feature bi-directional access and are compatible with most access control systems. They even have space available for a coin mechanism and safe.

Should I choose a turnstile or speed gate?

This depends on a variety of factors, including your budget, the aesthetic you’re going for and the amount of guests you expect to enter and exit your premise at any time. Security needs to be considered above everything.

Although turnstiles do provide a level of security, when combined with a human presence, they aren’t suitable for high-security areas unless you use a Glass-Pass. Speed gates include systems to prevent tailgating, and provide a more easily managed entry process. Speed gates also work alongside more access control systems, such as card readers, biometrics, intercoms, or remote control. Turnstiles are more limited here.

In terms of aesthetic, you have a variety of options no matter whether you choose turnstiles or speed gates. All our solutions are expertly crafted bespoke to your needs by our team based in the UK. This means that no matter the architecture of your site, we’ll find a solution that matches your needs. Our solutions are all made in the UK, meaning there’s no long wait for replacement parts or maintenance if needed.

What safety features do turnstiles and speed gates have?

Turnstiles and speed gates aren’t just about managing entry to your site, they also provide valuable safety benefits. Their integration with access control systems means that your team can see exactly who is present in any part of your site. This is incredibly valuable for tracking attendance in the education sector.

Similarly in the case of an emergency, speed gates can lock to an open position and the arms of turnstiles can be set to move freely in either direction. If you prefer your entrance to have an attended security presence, but still wish to gain the value of these services, they can be operated manually using a button.

Using either of these services, or a combination of them for your business, allows you to guide visitors throughout your site. It will also make your premises more secure.

For more information about our speed gates or access control systems mentioned here or if you have any questions that we haven’t managed to answer here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536. Check out our other blogs for more tips about how your business can make the most of these services.