Three layers, one entrance
- The entrance itself: an automatic sliding or revolving door that manages footfall and climate.
- The access line: turnstiles, sensor gates or flap gates that authenticate each person.
- The doors beyond: electronic cylinders and access hardware on plant rooms, server rooms and offices.
Designed together these three layers create a single controlled route into the building. Designed separately they create bottlenecks, awkward retrofits and gaps in the audit trail.
Choosing between gate types
- Turnstiles: strongest physical deterrent, best where throughput is steady and appearance is secondary.
- Sensor and flap gates: fast, open and lobby-friendly, ideal for corporate receptions and data-centre front-of-house.
- Wide-lane variants: needed wherever wheelchair users, trolleys or baggage must pass through the access line.
Plan the lobby, not just the gate
- Count peak-minute footfall, not daily footfall, to size the number of lanes.
- Reserve queueing depth in front of the line so the queue does not reach the entrance door sensors.
- Decide the credential (card, fob or mobile) before the gate, because it drives the reader cut-outs.
- Always provide at least one accessible wide lane.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between a turnstile and a speed gate?
- A turnstile physically restricts passage with rotating or barrier arms and is the stronger deterrent; sensor and flap gates use fast-moving glass barriers with sensing, which suits open, design-led lobbies where throughput and appearance both matter.
- How many lanes does a lobby need?
- Size lanes on peak-minute footfall rather than daily totals, and add queueing depth in front of the line so that the queue never reaches the entrance door's sensors. Send us the lobby plan and expected peak occupancy and we will work it out with you.
- Can access control be integrated with the automatic entrance doors?
- Yes. Automatic sliding and swing operators can be activated by access control instead of, or in addition to, radar and push pads, so the same credential governs the entrance door and the access line.