Turnstile Gate Guide: Types, Security Ratings and How to Choose
In short: a turnstile gate lets one person through at a time, for each valid credential. For lobbies, a tripod, flap or speed gate is usually enough. For a site perimeter, a full height turnstile is the right choice, and for high security sites it should carry an LPS 1175 rating.
This guide explains the main types of turnstile gate, what the security ratings mean, and what to check before you buy. It is written for facility managers, consultants and contractors planning pedestrian entrances in the UAE and the wider Gulf.
What is a turnstile gate?
A turnstile gate is a pedestrian access control device. It holds a rotor, arm or panel locked until it receives a signal, usually from a card reader, QR scanner, biometric reader or security guard’s button. It then releases for one person and locks again.
That single action gives a site three things:
- Control: only people with a valid credential get through.
- A record: each passage can be logged by the access control system.
- Order: people pass one at a time, in a set direction.
Types of turnstile gate
Turnstiles fall into two broad groups: waist height units for indoor lobbies, and full height units for perimeters.
| Type | Where it is used | Security level |
|---|---|---|
| Tripod (waist height) | Offices, gyms, metro stations | Low. Easy to climb over or duck under |
| Flap barrier and speed gate | Corporate lobbies, hotels | Low to medium. Depends on staff and sensors |
| Half height turnstile | Indoor areas that need a firmer barrier | Medium |
| Full height turnstile | Site perimeters, utilities, government and industrial sites | High. Floor to head height, hard to bypass |
Waist height units manage the flow of people. They work well where a reception desk or guard is close by. A full height turnstile is a physical barrier in its own right. The rotor and cage run from the ground to above head height, so a person cannot climb over, crawl under or pass items through.
Frontier Pitts Middle East supplies full height turnstiles, for perimeter and high security entrances.
What LPS 1175 means for turnstiles
Not every turnstile is tested for forced entry. For a high security site, that matters. A turnstile is part of the fence line, so it should offer the same resistance as the fence and gates beside it.
LPS 1175 is the standard used for this. It is published by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). Products are attacked by trained testers using set tool kits, and the rating shows how long the product held out and against which tools. Certified products are listed in the LPCB Red Book, so you can check a certificate yourself.
There are two rating formats you will see:
- Older format (Issue 6 and 7): Security Rating 1 to 8. A higher number means stronger tools and a longer test.
- Newer format (Issue 8): a letter and a number, such as B3. The letter is the tool set. The number is the delay time in minutes.
When a specification asks for an LPS 1175 turnstile, ask for the certificate number and check it in the Red Book. The rating applies to the tested product, so the installed unit should match the tested design. Our LPS 1175 turnstile guide covers how to write the specification.
Our full height turnstiles
| LPS 1175 Terra Diamond Turnstile | LPS 1175 Platinum Turnstile B3 | FPT1 Full Height Turnstile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | LPS 1175 Issue 6.1, Security Rating 3 and 4 | LPS 1175 Security Rating B3 | Not security rated |
| Red Book listed | Yes, certificates 1059a/01 and 1059a/02 | Yes | No |
| Rotor | Single rotor, infilled arms | 120° (3 section) or 90° (4 section) | 120° single rotor |
| Locking | Power locking bolt, anti-return solenoid | Power locking bolt, anti-return solenoid | To project specification |
| Power failure | Fail secure | Fail secure | To project specification |
| Suited to | Very high security perimeters | High security perimeters | General perimeter control next to gates |
Terra Diamond Turnstile: tested to LPS 1175 Issue 6.1 at Security Ratings 3 and 4, with attack tests of at least 10 minutes using hand and battery powered tools. It is also listed in the NPSA (formerly CPNI) catalogue of security equipment. Infilled rotor arms stop climbing and stop items being passed through. The rotor always seeks the next lock position, so a user cannot become trapped inside.
Platinum Turnstile B3: rated LPS 1175 B3 and Red Book listed. It has a fully welded steel cage with high security mesh, a metal canopy with anti-drip guttering, and columns built to take card readers. Options include a manual release handle and LED walkway lighting. Footprint is 1600 x 1600mm on a 300mm deep foundation.
FPT1 Full Height Turnstile: a 120° single rotor turnstile for perimeter use, often installed next to a sliding or hinged gate so one entrance handles both people and vehicles. It has a 100% duty rating for continuous use. Foundation is 1500 x 1300mm, 300mm deep.
All three can be connected to any access control system and run on a 230V 50Hz single phase supply.
How to choose the right turnstile gate
Work through these questions with your security consultant.
1. Is it a lobby or a perimeter?
Lobby entrances usually suit waist height units. Perimeter entrances, where the turnstile sits in the fence line, need a full height turnstile.
2. Does the site need a forced entry rating?
If the fence and security gates are LPS 1175 rated, the turnstile should be rated to a matching level. That keeps the whole fence line at one level.
3. How will it connect to your turnstile access control system?
Agree the reader type (card, QR, biometric) and where it mounts. Confirm the signals between the turnstile and the access control panel: release, locked, and alarm.
4. What happens in an emergency or power loss?
Our LPS 1175 turnstiles are fail secure, so they stay locked when power is lost. Plan a separate emergency exit route, or a manual release, with your fire and life safety consultant.
5. How many people use it, and in which direction?
Shift changes create peaks. Decide whether you need one or more units, and whether each runs in one direction or both.
6. Is the ground ready?
Each turnstile needs a concrete foundation with ducts for power and control cabling cast in. Check for buried services before the design is fixed.
7. Who installs and maintains it?
A rated turnstile should be installed to the manufacturer’s drawings. Ask who handles civil works, wiring, testing and handover, and what maintenance is offered after.
Installation and support
As a turnstile gate supplier in the UAE, Frontier Pitts Middle East handles project management, civil and electrical works, installation and commissioning with its own teams. Every turnstile is tested and passes a quality control check before it is shipped to site. On site, our engineers commission it, and you receive the drawings, test records and operating manuals.
Our turnstiles come with a 12 month warranty, provided the equipment receives periodic maintenance by a trained engineer. Our maintenance contracts cover this planned servicing, along with repairs and spare parts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a turnstile and a turnstile gate?
They mean the same thing. “Turnstile gate” is often used for full height units that sit in a fence line, while “turnstile” covers all types.
Is a full height turnstile better than a speed gate?
For a perimeter, yes, because it is a physical barrier that cannot be climbed or passed under. For an indoor lobby with staff present, a speed gate or flap barrier gives faster flow and a more open look.
What does LPS 1175 B3 mean?
It is an LPS 1175 Issue 8 rating. “B” is the tool set used in the attack test, and “3” is the delay time in minutes.
Can a turnstile connect to our existing access control system?
Yes. Our full height turnstiles can be connected to any access control system. The readers mount on the turnstile and the release signal comes from your panel.
Do turnstiles work when the power fails?
Our LPS 1175 turnstiles are fail secure, so they stay locked. Sites plan a separate emergency exit or a manual release for evacuation.
References
Related reading
Boom barrier vs crash rated barrier · Securing a government data centre perimeter · LPS 1175: the complete guide to security ratings
To discuss a turnstile for your site, email sales@frontierpitts.ae or visit fpgulf.com.
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