Business property is always a busy place. People coming and going in a fast-paced environment is something hard to control. However, installing a pedestrian turnstile can help ease the burden by controlling pedestrian traffic and tightening security.
Is a turnstile gate really important for a business entrance? What type of pedestrian turnstile gate is best for your property? Let’s find out more!
What Is a Pedestrian Turnstile?
A turnstile, also referred to by various names such as turn gate, turnpike and gateline, is a type of gate that controls pedestrian traffic. Specifically, it allows safe passage for only one person at a time unless it is customized to accommodate more people. A traditional turnstile is made to restrict overcrowding and maximize security in high-traffic areas by enforcing one-way access.
There are also simple turnstiles that can be powered mechanically by just pushing them. But, security turnstiles are often used in public places such as subway stations, airports and bus terminals.
They are also found in amusement parks, concert venues and stadiums. A pedestrian turnstile in these places often acts as the entry attendant since no one can enter these places without inserting a ticket, a pass, a coin or any other mode of payment.
Additionally, various commercial places and government offices install access control turnstiles to ensure no unauthorized access happens. More modern pedestrian turnstiles can be powered by biometrics. Fingerprinting, retina scanning, and facial recognition are biometric technologies employed in highly secured places.
Uses and Benefits of Pedestrian Turnstile
A pedestrian turnstile installation is advantageous, especially if you want improved security in your business area.
Better Security
In a regular setting, the first entry point to an establishment is through a door. While doors can provide minimum security, things can still happen. Even when security products like IP cameras are installed on doors, there is a problem of tailgating, where an authorized person is followed through the door by an individual without access.
This is because doors do not close in time. Even if they have the mechanism to close automatically, they still have enough space for a couple of people to fit through them.
A security turnstile, however, provides more security because it can limit the person going in and out of the building. While some turnstiles are bi-directional, most go in one direction only, which helps security personnel or staff members better assess the people coming in or out of the premises.
Controlled Access
One of the major reasons why establishments have a pedestrian turnstile is because of access control. A train station turnstile, for example, usually operates when a person has paid his entry fee already.
It also helps give accurate head counts of how many people enter and leave the premises. This feature gives business owners precise and verifiable data on the number of visitors they have for the day, which they can leverage in marketing and promotional aspects of the business.
Can Be Automated
Modern turnstile gates can be automated to enhance their security features. Your choice of pedestrian turnstile gate can be connected to the establishment’s access control system. With the access control integration, the turnstile will now function in unison with other security devices.
The access control equipment allows people using the passage to present a valid credential like an ID card, access card or code. When the credential sends the proper signal to the control system, the turnstile will only operate to let them in or out.
With this mechanism in place, you can easily identify the person who used the turnstile and the time and date it was used. If a credential is not accepted, the system can signal security staff that an illegal entry has been attempted.
Enhances Business Activity
The safety of the visitors should always be the top priority inside business premises. A pedestrian turnstile equipped with the best security features enhances business operations in many ways. First, it allows receptionists and security guards to focus on their primary jobs instead of checking the people coming and going.
Second, a safe and secure area makes clients feel protected and worry-free. Making customers feel at ease is a wonderful service that entices them to patronize the business.
Third, a turnstile can also be programmed to be one-directional or bi-directional. It can also be set up to accommodate specific schedules, such as having entry-only pedestrian access in the morning and switching it to exit-only in the afternoon. This makes the arrival and departure of workers easier and less chaotic.
Types of Pedestrian Turnstile
There is a wide range of pedestrian turnstiles to choose from. Here are the most common turnstile types that you can find and a brief description of each.
- Tripod turnstile is the simplest type of pedestrian turnstile gate. It has three blocking rods that rotate at a 120⁰ angle each time it is operated. Stadiums and other public places often have this kind of turnstile.
- Full height turnstile has the best security performance since it is higher and wider. It looks like a closed passage space of 3 or 4 rows of rotating rods. It can be left unattended and usually placed in places that need high security.
- Half height turnstile, or waist-high turnstile, is a pedestrian turnstile gate that only blocks half of the person’s body. It uses 3 to 4 metal rods adjusted to the desired height. It normally allows one person passage at a time and provides better security than tripod turnstile gates.
- Optical turnstiles rely on infrared or electronic beams to function. Better communication with an access control system must be employed to operate properly. It uses lights and sounds to send signals for attempted unauthorized access. Typically, an optical turnstile is used in lobbies and places where aesthetics are as valuable as security.
Other styles include speed gate turnstile, swing turnstile gate, sliding turnstile and flap barrier turnstile.
Where to Find a Reliable Pedestrian Turnstile
Installation of a pedestrian turnstile helps commercial businesses and public places to thrive better, especially when there is too much pedestrian traffic. Still unsure if a turnstile gate is right for you?
Or, have you decided that this is the best way to improve your place’s security? Whatever your answer is, you can contact us at All Equipment Security for all your turnstile needs!
