Controlled Staff and Visitor Access with Turnstile Systems

What Do Turnstile Systems Do?

Turnstile systems are physical access control devices that check pedestrians one by one at the entrance of a building or facility. The word "turnike" in Turkish can also mean a medical tourniquet, but here we mean a turnstile access system installed at entry points. The principle is simple: a person presents a card, enters a PIN or identifies themselves by another defined method; the reader checks the authorisation and sends a signal to the turnstile via dry contact or a communication link. The turnstile lets just one person through and locks again as soon as the passage is complete.

Every passage recorded by the reader is also attendance data for that employee. That's why turnstiles are usually planned together with time attendance systems in most projects, so entry security and working-time tracking run from the same point. If turnstile records will also be used to calculate working hours, we recommend card (RFID/NFC) or PIN readers, because in its Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) principle decision No. 2026/921 of 29.04.2026, the Board found the use of fingerprint or face data for tracking working hours incompatible with the principle of proportionality.

What Types of Turnstiles Are There?

Tripod turnstile

With three arms at waist height, this is the most common and budget-friendly option. You'll often see it at production sites, offices, schools, canteens and gym entrances. Details are on our three-arm turnstile page.

Full-height turnstile

Its rotor reaches down to the floor, so it can neither be climbed over nor crawled under. Ideal for construction sites, stadiums, factory perimeter security and unattended entrances. Take a look: full-height turnstile models.

Speed gate turnstile

Wing-type models with glass or acrylic wings, fitted with sensors that open and close within seconds. They are the first choice for office towers, banks and corporate lobbies where both a sleek look and high throughput are required. More: sensor-equipped speed gate models.

Accessible and VIP gate

Motorised swing gates that provide a wide opening for wheelchair users, visitors with pushchairs, staff carrying goods and guests. They are usually added next to the other turnstile lanes.

The Four Models Side by Side

The Right Setup for Your Sector

In factories, a large group passes through within a few minutes at shift change, so multiple tripod lanes and a robust body are the priority, while full-height turnstiles complete the picture at back gates that need perimeter security. At schools, card-operated tripod turnstiles for student entry are planned together with software that can notify parents. In office towers and corporate buildings, speed gates that match the lobby design and QR code access for visitors take centre stage. At gyms, access rights are tied to membership periods, while on construction sites weather-resistant full-height turnstiles and subcontractor tracking matter most. Whatever the sector, at least one lane should be wide enough for wheelchairs and trolleys.

Turnstile Selection Checklist

• Security expectations: In a staffed lobby, a tripod or speed gate may be sufficient; for unattended entrances on the perimeter, a full-height turnstile should be considered.
• Traffic volume: The number of people passing at the same time during shift change determines how many lanes you need. Putting the whole load on a single turnstile leads to queues and unauthorised passages.
• Installation environment: Outdoors, a water-resistant body and a canopy are key; indoors, harmony with the architecture comes first.
• Authentication method: Card, PIN, QR or biometric readers can be chosen. For working-time tracking we recommend card or PIN; using biometric readers for purposes such as entry to high-security areas requires a separate legal assessment.
• Emergency scenario: Free passage during a power cut and a connection to the fire alarm must always be planned.
• Accessibility: At least one lane should include an accessible gate.
• Software: How passage records will be used in working-time calculations and reports should be clarified at the start of the project.

What Determines Turnstile Prices?

Turnstile prices and the cost of a turnkey system depend on the project as a whole rather than on the price of a single device. The key factors are:

• The chosen model, number of lanes and one-way or two-way control
• Stainless or painted steel body, sheet thickness, surface finish and desired colour
• Reader type: card, PIN, QR or biometric
• Time attendance software and the number of users to be registered
• Complementary products such as drop arms, guide barriers and accessible gates
• Groundwork, cable distance and installation conditions
• Project-specific dimensions or design requirements

For the same reason, prices for card-operated turnstile systems and turnstiles for schools vary with the number of users and the lane layout. We send you the exact amount in writing after the site survey.

Installation Process Step by Step

1. Site survey: Entrance width, floor structure, traffic, power and network infrastructure are inspected on site. Site surveys in Istanbul are free of charge.
2. Project design: The model, number of lanes and reader type are defined; the layout of the turnstiles and guide barriers is drawn up.
3. Infrastructure preparation: Power and data cables are routed to the turnstile locations.
4. Mounting: The bodies are fixed to the floor with anchors and anchor bolts, then the card readers and the control board are wired.
5. Software and testing: Users are entered into the system and access groups are set up; all functions are tested, including emergencies such as power cuts and fire alarms, and users are trained.

For projects outside Istanbul, we ship turnstiles to all 81 provinces and plan installation and commissioning according to the project.

Maintenance and Service Support

On heavily used turnstiles, the mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated, and connections and readers checked, at regular intervals. Arms that turn stiffly or fail to lock are the first sign of an approaching fault. Because we manufacture our turnstiles ourselves, we provide mechanical parts and service support directly, without intermediaries; details are on the page describing our manufacturing service.

Turnstile Solutions from Istanbul Across Turkey

From its base at the Perpa Ticaret Merkezi in Istanbul, Sensör Software manufactures, sells, installs and services turnstiles with more than 25 years of field experience. Request a quote for your project or message us on WhatsApp.