Upgrading or Replacing your Security Entrance Lanes, or Optical Turnstiles?

Over the past nearly 16 years in this business, I have seen a lot of new optical turnstile & security entrance lane systems be installed in new or existing (retrofit) buildings all across North America. And in recent years there has been a trend toward replacing or upgrading many of the older systems from 10-20 years ago.

Is it time to replace or upgrade your pedestrian entrance control (PEC) system? Are your security entrance lanes or turnstiles at end-of-life and are you starting to consider with what or how to best replace them? Are you looking at the wide range of competing security entrance lanes/optical turnstiles/portals and wondering what features are new, important, or critical for compatibility with your available lobby space, your new card/biometric readers and access control systems?

 Every day we are seeing an ever-increasing number of requests for new entrance control systems to replace/upgrade/retrofit an older, existing set of turnstiles with new security entrance lanes. End user clients, along with their security consultants, architects, and security integrators are interested in finding the best solution - considering the latest features and technology available.

 We invite you to read on as we examine some of the most important considerations in such an important decision.

 What are Pedestrian Entrance Control (PEC) Systems?

The term PEC’s includes all security entrance lanes, turnstiles/speedgates, barrier type optical lanes, sliding glass optical portals, high security portals, and security revolvers used as part of an integrated security strategy for an access controlled building or area within a building. Most entrance control systems are specifically designed to increase security and also enhance the effectiveness of lobby staff, which would otherwise have to check the credentials of every pedestrian passing the secure point. The PEC works by singling out any pedestrians attempting access without proper credentials. Normally a card reader or biometric authentication device is built into or integrated with the PEC. Usually the system will include technology (infrared or other optical sensors) to detect tailgating and prevent piggybacking, hence the very common newly used industry term “security entrance lanes” (a.k.a. “optical turnstiles”).

 Many PEC Systems are Reaching End-of-Life.

Many commercial and government buildings are now ready to replace pedestrian entrance control and security entrance lane systems purchased 10-15 years ago. The years 2002 through 2004 saw a sharp increase in the numbers of systems installed.. Certainly the events of September 11, 2001 had an impact on the spike in security entrance lane and turnstile interest. Meanwhile, multi-tenant buildings and hi-rises in the big cities took advantage of new multi-technology card readers that made front lobby entrance control more realistic. The same factors that make optical lanes and portals attractive for Class A buildings (heavy traffic, strong security concerns) accelerate the products wearing over time, making them appear a bit tired. The grained stainless steel finishes and stainless steel or Corian and marble tops have begun to show the years of rubbing by coats and bags. Meanwhile, internal mechanical devices and motors that move the sliding and swinging barriers have long surpassed their life expectancy, even if well maintained. Replacement parts are now becoming harder to find for some models. Downtime is expensive and detrimental to operation and traffic flow - let alone the perceived corporate image associated with non-functional security equipment.

 Meanwhile, new state-of-the-art security entrance lanes have been developed, the benefits of which would (financially and practically) support the upgrade or replacement of these old, dated systems.

 The Product Selection Decisions are Important.

Clients have concerns about how to make the right decisions because access control security products like PEC’s are usually a long term capital investment.  Sometimes there are several levels of decision makers/influencers (end users, consultants, integrators) all of whom have various needs or concerns for the features. Oftentimes on the client’s side, the decision for such systems is a long term strategic one which requires careful analysis and committee review, and upper management action. Another important consideration concerns the existing infrastructure work that was already done on site.  Clients may want to limit further investments in new conduits, product footprint locations, etc., and the product selection decision can impact the need for such additional costs. Further complicating such decisions is the variety of new physical features, available certifications, and software packages that are available. 

There are Many Important Physical Feature Considerations.

Physical characteristics, features and overall esthetics of PEC’s can vary quite a bit when considering dimensional requirements (height & width) as well as architectural finishes and lobby design criteria.

The specific client needs and installation site dimensional limitations will play an important role. In the case of replacing/upgrading existing security entrance lanes/turnstiles or PEC’s as we are discussing here, the existing footprint vs. proposed footprint must be considered. Can we cover the old floor cuts with the new proposed product? If not, are we prepared to renew and re-cut the finished floor? For example, if we are changing from purely optical turnstiles to security entrance lane optical turnstiles with retractable or swing glass barriers, can we accommodate the new wider/longer cabinet footprint over the existing smaller cabinet/pedestal footprint? Conversely, if the new products will be swinging glass type optical lanes, will the new slim or shorter cabinet/pedestal fit correctly on the existing wider cabinet spaces? Depending on the circumstances, you may want to consider fitting more lanes than before in the given area. These will all be important factors when selecting the new replacement system.

Architectural finishes will be of concern for architects and lobby designers.  Many PEC products come in a standard grained stainless finish. But custom colors, solid surfacing, natural wood and stone finishes are usually available as options. Architects like to have choices of custom and natural materials.

Clients will also be focused on the product technology features available in the newer PEC’s.

Some of the new changes in evolution of the New PEC’s are that they have very sophisticated tailgate and piggyback detection systems, although linear horizontal beams are still most common. The algorithms and firmware today is advanced greatly over the simple PLC systems of 15 years ago - allowing clients to even tailor the sensitivity of their tailgate/piggyback security detection system. Enhanced tailgate/piggyback detection technology improves accuracy, reduces both false positive and false negative incidents - thereby increasing security while reducing cost of false alarms. And of course today’s PEC security entrance lanes use long life LED lights which years ago replaced incandescent bulbs which had been standard in older turnstiles.

One very important advancement is the advent of network ready, IP addressable security entrance lanes and server based lane control panels. These advancements open up a wide realm of communication, lane control, and maintenance possibilities not available in the legacy analog, dry contacts systems of the past.  The use of network ready and IP based systems like this also provide a level of “future-proofing” your PEC system.

 Safety and Reliability are very Much Improved.

Clients should look at product reliability and MTBF or MCBF data, when available. Some products boast product lifetimes in excess of 10,000,000 cycles.  This data should be published or readily available with stated testing parameters.

UL Listed PEC and security entrance lanes are more common than ever before.  PEC products have been certified in various classifications, and all are very good - with UL#2593 being the new industry standard. Look for PEC systems that carry the UL2593 or UL325(or another certification lab using UL standards) label. Some PEC’s will only have UL certified components (i.e.; motors or power supply) but this is not the same as having a UL listed product system with the factory apposed UL sticker, especially in the eyes of many city building inspectors.

 Clients will involve Others in this Process.

Potential Buyers will want to take into account the considerations discussed in this article, but they will also involve others in the research process. It helps to have expert opinions to give support to your product decisions when presenting to upper management for budgeting and purchase approval.

We strongly recommend including security consultant/engineers in the process. Their expertise in such decisions is invaluable. There are many excellent firms providing such services. In addition to product selection decisions they will also provide critical local code knowledge and engineering and product integration design assistance.

Ask your security integrator for product suggestions. Most security integrators have selected, installed, integrated and supported many such PEC systems – they will be able to make recommendations for your specific needs.  Finally, consult with reputable mfgrs of PEC products who can point to existing references and satisfied clients in similar businesses or with like policies as your firm.  

All of the above listed resources (consultants, integrators, manufacturers) will also be a valuable resource when it is time to pitch your chosen solution(s) to management.

Justifying/Selling the Selection Internally.
Once the security entrance lane product or system has been decided upon, now comes the fun part…making the presentation to management! Often the security director must prove both the financial and security justification for the recommendation. Of course, we can always point to the intangibles, such as the value of an architecturally beautiful front entrance and a more secure workplace using the latest PEC products and designs available. We will also want to explain that the new PEC system gives a level of “future-proofing” in that it will be compatible with our network based access control and facility management systems. But sometimes all of that is not enough to get the budget approved.

So, when ROI must be addressed, it is best to look at the cost of the old system over time. How often does it need repair? Have we had to call for emergency repairs and what is the cost of that? When the system is down, do we need to add additional security staff personnel to monitor the entrance?  How long do we wait for parts? For a multi-tenant building, what is the cost of possible lost tenants due to the dated security system? Look at the true cost of the old vs. new proposed system (Total Cost of Ownership Concept).

Start the Process Early to get the Best Result.
We know that the manufacturers of PEC’s/security entrance lanes typically quote an 8 to 10 week lead time. But the design, product selection and buying decisions for such projects take a long time. Most smart and savvy PEC buyers will start the discussions 1 year or more before the intended purchase.  An experienced manufacturer’s rep and his/her project/product engineers can aid the process with product design and customization to suit the client’s specifics.  The client - along with his/her consultant, architect, and integrator - should begin the project design and product selection process early to help design a system around the client’s needs and wishes, and considering all of the herein described points.

Maybe you guessed that I love discussing entrance control designs with clients, integrators, and security engineers. I encourage folks to please contact me anytime if more info or resources are needed. www.automatic-systems.com