Turnstile Systems: Tripod, Full-Height and Speed Gate Turnstiles

What Are Turnstile Systems and How Do They Work?

Turnstile systems are physical access control products that control pedestrian passage one person at a time at building and facility entrances. The turnstile here has nothing to do with the medical tourniquet used in first aid; it is a turnstile access system installed at entrances. The basic principle is simple: a person presents a card, enters a PIN or verifies their identity with a defined method; the reader validates the authorization and sends a dry contact or communication signal to the turnstile. The turnstile allows only one person through and locks again once the passage is complete.

Every passage record from the reader is also attendance data. That is why turnstiles are installed together with time attendance systems in most projects, providing entrance security and working-hours tracking from a single point. If turnstile data will also be used for attendance tracking, card (RFID/NFC) or PIN readers are recommended; the Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) principle decision No. 2026/921 of 29.04.2026 does not consider the processing of biometric data for attendance tracking to be proportionate.

Turnstile Models

Tripod turnstile

A waist-height, three-arm turnstile and the most common, cost-effective solution. It is preferred for factory, office, school, cafeteria and gym entrances. For details, see our tripod turnstile page.

Full-height turnstile

Thanks to its floor-to-ceiling rotor, it cannot be jumped over or crawled under. It is suitable for construction sites, stadiums, factory perimeter security and unattended entrances. To learn more, see full-height turnstile.

Speed gate turnstile

Models with glass or acrylic wings and sensors that open and close quickly. They stand out in office towers, banks and corporate lobbies where aesthetics and high throughput are needed together. See speed gate turnstile.

Accessible and VIP gate

Motorized swing gates that provide a wide passage for wheelchairs, strollers, staff carrying goods and visitors. They are usually added alongside other turnstile lanes.

Turnstile Model Comparison

Recommendations by Application

In factories, many people pass through in a short time during shift changes, so multiple tripod lanes and a robust housing are key; at back gates requiring perimeter security, a full-height turnstile complements them. In schools, card-operated tripod turnstiles for student entrances are considered together with software that can notify parents. In office towers and corporate buildings, speed gate turnstiles that match the lobby architecture and QR code access for visitors are preferred. In gyms, authorization based on membership period is the priority, while construction sites call for weather-resistant full-height turnstiles and subcontractor staff tracking. In every case, at least one lane should be suitable for wheelchair and goods passage.

How to Choose a Turnstile System

• Security needs: In a lobby supervised by staff, a tripod or speed gate may be sufficient; for unattended and perimeter entrances, a full-height turnstile should be considered.
• Traffic volume: The number of people passing at the same time during shift changes determines the number of lanes. Overloading a single turnstile leads to queues and rule violations.
• Environment: Outdoors, a water-protected housing and a canopy are important; indoors, harmony with the architecture matters.
• Identification method: Card, PIN, QR or biometric readers can be chosen. If attendance will be tracked, a card or PIN method is recommended; using biometric readers for purposes such as access to high-security areas requires a separate legal assessment.
• Emergencies: Free passage during power outages and integration with the fire alarm must be planned.
• Accessibility: An accessible gate should be provided in at least one lane.
• Software: How turnstile data will be used for attendance and reporting should be defined from the start.

What Affects Turnstile Prices?

Turnstile prices and turnstile system costs depend on the project as a whole rather than the price tag of a single device. The main factors are:

• Turnstile model, number of lanes and one-way/two-way control
• Housing material and thickness (stainless steel, painted steel), finish and color preference
• Reader type: card, PIN, QR or biometric
• Time attendance software and number of users
• Add-ons such as an accessible gate, drop arm or guide barriers
• Floor work, cabling distance and installation conditions
• Need for project-specific dimensions or design

For this reason, prices for card turnstile systems and school turnstile systems vary with the number of users and the lane layout. We provide the final price in writing after the site survey.

How Is a Turnstile System Installed?

1. Site survey: Entrance width, floor structure, traffic volume, and power and network infrastructure are assessed. Site surveys are free in Istanbul.
2. Project design: The model, number of lanes and reader type are determined; the layout of turnstiles and guide barriers is drawn.
3. Infrastructure: Power and data cables are routed to the turnstile locations.
4. Installation: Turnstiles are anchored to the floor, and readers and control boards are connected.
5. Software and testing: Users are enrolled and authorization groups created; all functions, including emergency scenarios, are tested and training is provided.

For projects outside Istanbul, turnstiles are shipped to all 81 provinces; installation and commissioning are planned per project.

Maintenance and Service

For heavily used turnstiles, the mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated, and connections and readers checked, on a periodic basis. An arm that turns stiffly or fails to lock is an early warning sign. As a turnstile manufacturer, we provide mechanical parts and service support directly; for details, see our turnstile manufacturing page.

Turnstile Systems in Istanbul and Across Turkey

Perpa Trafik manufactures, sells, installs and services turnstiles at Perpa Ticaret Merkezi in Istanbul, backed by more than 25 years of field experience. Fill in the quote form for your project or message us on WhatsApp.