Turnstile Systems – What all you need to know

Types of turnstile entry systems

Turnstile entry systems help businesses manage foot traffic in and out of a shop or building. Turnstiles entrance gates keep unwanted persons out and ensure that people are moving in the right direction. Security turnstiles also offer protection against theft and prevent people from leaving the premises without paying for the goods or following other procedures. The manual turnstile is a mechanical swing turnstile where the arm rotates to allow a single person to walk through to the other side. These entry barriers also have an emergency setting which allows the arm to swing up and create an opening for people to walk out of an area. Manual turnstiles require complimentary fencing and rails to prevent people walking around the turnstile. For large object access, a special opening passage can be installed to effectively move trolleys and prams into the store.

Turnstiles Systems Uses

• Turnstiles can be used at shopping centres, supermarkets and shops, airports, commercial premises, government facilities, secured areas, takeaway food shops, amusement parks, sports complexes, educational institutions, stadia, warehouses, logistics premises and more.

• Turnstiles systems can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings, and complimentary trolley access can be installed to allow trolleys and prams to pass through unobstructed.

• Turnstiles are single directional devices that prevent people walking in the opposite direction.

Benefits of using Turnstiles

• Turnstile gates manage the flow of people, direct people where to go and regulate the number of people inside an area.

• Turnstiles systems prevent theft from businesses because the turnstiles are not multi-directional and swing one way only (depending on the preferred setting).

• Turnstile entry barriers are effective devices to help customers or guests follow entry procedures.

What are turnstiles?

A turnstile is an electronic and/or mechanical device that manages the flow of people. Turnstiles can be used to regulate people traffic entering and existing a shop or building. Turnstiles can be equipped with security features and data capabilities to provide additional comfort and insights about the people moving in and out of an area.

What are turnstiles used for?

Turnstile entrance gates are used for the following reasons:

Manage the flow of patrons

It is important to manage the flow of people moving in and out of a shop or building for security, safety, business process and other reasons. Without a turnstile entry system, people would walk in and out of a shop at leisure and make it difficult for business owners and staff to detect unusual behaviour.

Prevent theft to business

Turnstiles prevent people leaving a shop or facility without paying or following procedures. Turnstiles are designed to swing in one direction only and stop people from running out of a shop without complying with rules. This prevents unwanted theft and allows CCTV to be installed at the entrance to capture people as they walk in.

Regulate path of patrons

Turnstiles with complimentary fencing and rails prevent people from entering an area from a location that is not monitored or controlled. Turnstile entry barriers provide a point of entry and exit so that staff and CCTV can monitor people entering and leaving the premises.

Control number of people in an area

Turnstile gates can be controlled to prevent too many people or too few people in an area at a given time. This allows business owners to turn off the turnstile when there is too much patronage within an area.

What types of turnstile entry systems & gates are there?

Here are examples of the types of turnstile entry systems and gates:

Waist height turnstiles – Waist height turnstiles are approximately 1 metre high and provide access control for businesses who want to create an open and inviting area. These turnstiles are ideal for small facilities that don’t want to obstruct the entrance and exit to the premises.

Waist height gates – Waist height gates are customer and guest friendly and are useful for people with disabilities or infirmities. These gates also restrict access to a single person, but have a larger opening that is easier to navigate.

What are the turnstile benefits?

The benefits of turnstiles include:

Security control

Turnstiles act as security barriers as they prevent unwanted people entering the venue. Turnstiles monitor people entering and leaving a building and can restrict access if set appropriately. In addition, turnstiles entrance systems can electronically record people entering a facility so that management can review the identity of those inside.

Effective integration

Turnstile entrance solutions can effectively integrate with your security and operations systems for added usability. The turnstile can link with the CCTV system, ticketing management system, records database and more to allow management to ensure that unwanted people have not accessed the venue.

Greater flexibility

Less reliance is placed on staff with the use of turnstiles. Fully equipped turnstiles can monitor patrons, record information, restrict access, close when the business is not operational and much more. Turnstile entrance systems can provide effective entry and exit barriers without the manpower.

Intelligent features

Turnstiles with intelligent features enhance the operability and effectiveness of the access control system. Most turnstiles now provide useful data insights to help owners make informed decisions. Depending on the features of the turnstile, these insights can help enhance operations, staffing schedules, product placement and more.

How do I know what turnstile is right for me?

Consider the following to help you choose the right turnstile for your needs and requirements:

Assess your needs

Why do you want a turnstile entrance system? Do you have a security concern, require patrons to follow procedures or find that too many people are entering an area at a given time? The reasons for why you need a turnstile access system will help you select the most appropriate and adequate turnstile. For example, a basic mechanical turnstile might not be suitable if you operate ticketed events because you will always need a staff member to monitor the turnstile.

Understand the purpose of the turnstile

Turnstiles can serve various purposes. Depending on the type of business that you are operating, the type of facility that you are managing or the type of area that you are controlling, you need to select a turnstile that will achieve your objective. For example, a full height turnstile might not be suitable for a small shop as it might discourage patron attendance. Instead, a simple waist height turnstile might suffice if you have other security controls.

Consult with stakeholders

Before choosing a turnstile, consult with staff and other interested stakeholders. This will help you understand what you need to consider when purchasing a turnstile entrance system. For example, if you have disabled or infirm people entering your venue on a regular basis, you might need a turnstile gate as opposed to a turnstile swinging arm system.

Speak to us

Before you acquire a turnstile entrance system, speak to us so that we can assess your needs and provide you with the most appropriate options. We assist business owners, facility owners and building managers on a regular basis. We have experience advising on appropriate turnstile gates for different applications. 

Turnstile systems for public access safety and security

Here are a few reasons how turnstiles can help offer public access safety and security:

Single person access

Turnstiles limit access to a single person at any given time. The arms on a turnstile are limited to fit one person and the gates on a turnstile gate system have sensors to close the gate after one person has passed through. This feature lowers the risk of tailgating, which is a common security concern at access points.

Single direction flow

Turnstiles prevent people walking in the other direction. Turnstiles either allow people to enter or exit at the perimeter of the area. This regulates people entering or leaving the area without following procedures (i.e. paying for goods or showing a ticket). Some turnstiles can be set to swing or operate in both directions, but those turnstile systems usually exist within an area and not at the entrance or exit points.

Restrict unwanted people

Turnstiles can operate mechanically and electronically. Electronic turnstiles can require the input of a code, access swipe, ticket barcode and more. This helps owners of the area regulate patron flow and prevent access for people who don’t have authorisation.

Prevent surplus of people

Turnstiles can be controlled to stop working when there are too many people in an area at a given time. This might be for security and safety reasons in the event of an emergency. For example, if the maximum number of people allowed in a venue is 100, the turnstile can be set to turn off after 100 cycles.

Turnstiles are an investment that will add value to your business. Not only do turnstiles provide comfort to business owners and staff, but also reassure customers and guests that the business takes security and safety seriously.

Conclusion

If you need high-quality, reliable and effective turnstile systems, look no further than Brice Australia. Having served Australia’s retail industry since 1939, we understand what business owners need. Our products do more than simply managing patronage and access. They can provide valuable insights which will enhance your business, prevent people stealing goods from your business and allow you to take control over the flow of people and number of people in an area.

For leading technological solutions and security devices, contact Brice Australia on 1300 664 880 or browse the website to learn more.

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