Turnstile or Speed Gate – Choosing Which?

Z58B Flap Barriers

When it comes to Control Access and Safety in Leisure Centres and Gyms, Turnstiles, Speed Gates and Flap Barriers are your discreet and reliable partner. Leisure, sport and recreation centres, swimming pools or private gyms need to be welcoming and offer a safe environment for their visitors.

Controlling access to membership clubs or leisure aquatic public spaces is paramount to maintaining safety for all, screening entry to those only with entrance approval and managing visitor numbers. While easy to use by members and staff, access control solutions are also important in managing and controlling membership revenue.

Benefits of a Speed Gate or Turnstile for Centre Operators

A fast, safe, efficient speed gate/turnstile yet discreet plays a key role in the operating success of any recreation-paying visitors or members-driven facility by:

Providing a safe environment – keeping non-members out and helping guests enjoy their facility with an easy to access entry point.
Improving revenue protection – ensuring all people who enter the facility are authorised and pay entry fees thus reducing revenue leakage.
Providing better service with a great traffic flow - giving members faster entry and removing traffic congestion at reception to validate their membership.
Human capital optimisation – automated speed gates help your team to focus on other revenue activities, such as membership enquiries and renewals, clothing and drink sales, session bookings or telephone enquiries.
Providing valuable insight – most speed gates and turnstiles connected with membership management software or ticket machines will collect valuable data to analyse members’ behaviour and patterns.

Considerations When Selecting a Speed Gate or Turnstile

Entry access width – how wide is the space you want to install the speed gate in? Also, the depth, as you will need to allow for free traffic flow before and after the gates. Slim-line turnstiles are perfect for limited widths, such as a door frame.

Entry or Exit — what is required to achieve efficient traffic flow? Dedicated entry and exit gates for one-way traffic throughput often achieve better pedestrian flow. However, restricted space may require considering a free exit lane-only option.

Wheelchair Access – what are the legal requirements for wheelchair access? Wider access can be provided through a side glass panel gate operated from the front desk. Rotech’s double swing gate turnstiles will provide the perfect solution and come in different-sized panels allowing for the minimal requirement (i.e. 850mm). Beware as some speed gates do not have the minimum width required or are not designed for wheelchairs or prams such as the turnstile style gates.

Integration with Control Access Software – how will you grant access, and which code or card reader is suited to your needs? Every system is different, but most readers can provide your access management software with the data required. RFID cards, FOB, Bar and QR Codes are still popular however new digital or face recognition systems and smartphone technology provide real flexible and long-term cost advantages. Talk to us for some advice.

Installation – speed gates will generally need to be installed by a certified electrician. For the installation of multiple gates, access to comm cables and power needs to be considered and may require chasing cabling. Rotech can coordinate and help manage that process.

Flap, Swing or Turnstile – what style of gate is suitable for your needs i.e. if you need to ensure those little ones don’t get in without their parent supervision then you probably need a swing gate as the panel usually goes as low as a few mm from the ground and will prevent anyone slipping underneath.

Outdoor vs Indoor – what environmental conditions will the gate be operated in? Not all turnstiles and speed gates are water-resistant and IP-rated. It is important to consider the exposure to the weather if your access entry point is outside or under a shed or pergola.

The right choice depends on your specific venue/establishment requirements, reach out to Rotech Automation for advice and a fully detailed quotation