What is full height turnstile？
A full height turnstile is a tall, rotating access control gate designed for maximum security. It covers the entire height of an entryway, preventing unauthorized climbing or crawling. This design makes it highly effective in controlling access to restricted areas.
Most full height turnstiles are made of durable materials like stainless steel or powder-coated steel. Stainless steel, especially 304-grade, resists corrosion and withstands harsh weather, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor use. The robust construction ensures long-term performance, even in high-traffic or high-security environments.
Its structure typically includes rotating arms mounted on a central column, enclosed in a strong frame. This combination provides both physical security and controlled entry, making full height turnstiles a trusted solution for various industries.
How does full height turnstile work？
Full height turnstiles operate through a mechanical or electromechanical rotation system controlled by an access control device. When a person presents valid credentials—such as a card, fingerprint, or facial scan—the system then unlocks the rotating arms for a single entry. Conversely, without authorization, the arms remain locked, thereby blocking passage entirely.
In terms of operation, the rotation mechanism allows movement in one or both directions, depending on the settings. Furthermore, many models integrate with advanced control systems, enabling remote operation, real-time monitoring, and data tracking. As a result, each entry is recorded, improving both security and management efficiency.Because the gate spans from floor to ceiling, it eliminates tailgating and climbing risks. Moreover, its design forces individuals to move through one at a time, ensuring a secure and orderly flow of people.
Key Features of Full Height Turnstiles
High security
Full height turnstiles create a complete physical barrier from floor to top, preventing climbing or crawling attempts. Their design makes it extremely difficult for unauthorized individuals to bypass the gate, ensuring strict access control even in unsupervised areas.
Strong durability
Made from high-quality stainless steel or similar robust materials, these turnstiles are resistant to corrosion, rust, and harsh weather. They perform reliably in both indoor and outdoor environments, providing consistent security over many years.
Flexible control
Operators can configure the turnstile for single-direction or bi-directional passage, depending on traffic flow needs. This flexibility helps manage entry and exit separately or together, adapting to various security policies.
Broad compatibility
Full height turnstiles integrate smoothly with a wide range of access control systems, including RFID cards, biometric scanners, and QR code readers. This allows facilities to upgrade security without replacing existing infrastructure.
Types of Full Height Turnstiles
Single-Lane Full Height Turnstiles
Designed for individual passage, these are ideal for locations where space is limited but security is critical. They provide a controlled, one-person-at-a-time entry and are commonly used in stadiums, factories, and secure building entrances.
Double-Lane Full Height Turnstiles
Equipped with two independent passages in one frame, suitable for high-traffic areas such as stadiums, metro stations, or large corporate entrances. This design increases throughput without compromising security.
Manual Turnstiles
Operated mechanically without an electronic control system, these turnstiles are reliable, cost-effective, and require minimal maintenance. They are often deployed in remote or outdoor areas where electricity may not be readily available.
Motorized Turnstiles
Equipped with an electric motor and integrated control system, these provide smoother, faster operation and can be connected to advanced access control systems for automated management. They are preferred in modern security projects requiring higher efficiency and integration.
Application
Stadiums and Arenas
Full height turnstiles are widely used at stadiums and arenas to effectively manage the massive flow of spectators during sports events and concerts. By seamlessly integrating with ticketing systems, they verify each visitor’s access rights through QR codes, barcodes, or RFID cards, thereby ensuring smooth and secure entry. In addition, their robust structure prevents unauthorized entry, ticket fraud, and crowd surges, while at the same time helping to maintain orderly queues. Moreover, they are designed for high-frequency use and can withstand outdoor conditions such as rain, heat, and dust, thus providing consistent performance before, during, and after events.
Factories and Industrial Sites
In factories and industrial sites, full height turnstiles play a crucial role in providing strict access control, thereby allowing only authorized employees and registered contractors into the premises. Furthermore, they can be integrated with biometric or card-based time attendance systems, which helps in streamlining workforce tracking and attendance management. By effectively controlling entry to sensitive areas, they help protect valuable equipment, raw materials, and confidential production processes. Additionally, their durable construction is specifically engineered to endure harsh working environments, including high dust levels, humidity, and temperature fluctuations, thus ensuring reliable operation around the clock.
Prisons and Detention Centers
The turnstiles play a critical role in maintaining maximum security within prisons and detention centers. Their full-height barrier design prevents climbing or bypassing, making them ideal for regulating movement between secure zones. These systems can be integrated with CCTV, alarms, and biometric identification to ensure only authorized personnel pass through. Built with tamper-resistant and impact-resistant materials, they remain reliable under heavy use and in high-risk situations, supporting the strict security protocols required in correctional environments.
Military Bases and Government Facilities
The turnstiles are an essential security measure for military bases and government facilities, where access must be strictly monitored and controlled. By integrating with high-level authentication methods such as biometric verification, encrypted access cards, and real-time monitoring systems, they ensure that only vetted personnel can enter restricted zones. Their solid steel or stainless-steel construction provides superior resistance against tampering, forced entry, and environmental challenges. In high-security environments, these turnstiles not only manage daily personnel flow but also act as a strong physical barrier, supporting national security protocols and safeguarding sensitive information and assets.
Installation and Integration
Flexible Installation Options
Can be mounted directly onto concrete or steel bases, suitable for both indoor and outdoor locations.
Easy System Integration
Compatible with a wide range of access control systems, including RFID, fingerprint, facial recognition, and QR code readers.
Network and Standalone Modes
an operate independently for small-scale facilities or connect to centralized security systems for large campuses and enterprises.
Customizable Access Logic
Supports uni-directional or bi-directional passage control, allowing tailored entry and exit rules.
Related full height turnstile products
Why choose HFSecurity for full height turnstile?
HFSecury brings over 20 years of experience in access control and gate system manufacturing. We specialize in designing and producing high-quality full height turnstiles that meet international safety and performance standards.
We provide full OEM and ODM support, allowing clients to customize both the turnstile structure and control systems to match their exact project requirements. Whether for office buildings, factories, schools, or public facilities, our full height turnstile solutions adapt to various use cases with ease.
Our products are exported globally and trusted by government institutions, enterprises, and system integrators in more than 100 countries. With multiple patents in access control and biometric integration, HFSecurity leads in innovation and system reliability.
By choosing HFSecurity, you gain a trusted partner focused on quality, customization, and long-term support. We don’t just supply turnstiles—we deliver complete access control solutions.