How Many Turnstiles Do I Need to Secure My Construction Site?

How Many Turnstiles Do I Need to Secure My Construction Site?

One of the many questions Modular Security Systems Inc. (MSSI) customers ask is, "How many turnstiles do I need to secure my construction site?" At MSSI we know that for our customers too many turnstiles are a waste of money and valuable space, and we also know that not enough turnstiles can mean long lines and downtime that also costs you time and money. Much like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, there is a “sweet spot” and that's what we're here to help you find. In order to help our customers decide how many turnstiles they need we came up with the Turnstile Flow Calculator.

In today's edition of the Turnstile Blog we’ll be taking a closer look at the Turnstile Flow Calculator and how you can use it to implement a perimeter security strategy specifically for your site and your project.

When it comes to turnstiles, just like most anything else there are a lot of types, models, and designs to choose from. From waist-high turnstiles, to optical turnstiles, to full-height high-security galvanized steel turnstiles, there is a wide range of options to choose from... So, to simplify the process we are going to assume that you want full-height galvanized steel turnstiles. Full height turnstiles are the most secure of turnstile designs and are not easily hopped over or crawled through.

Our Turnstile Flow Calculator uses two crucial variables in calculating the number of turnstiles you'll need to secure your construction site perimeter. First and foremost is the number of authorized users that are going to be entering/exiting your site. These can include employees, vendors, contractors, and any other authorized visitors. And second is how much time will be used for high flow/usage of the turnstiles. These peaks in usage are almost always during shift changes when it comes to major construction sites.

Here are a few examples of how the Turnstile Flow Calculator can be used to estimate the number of turnstiles you need to secure the perimeter of your construction site.

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Example A)

In this example we will have 300 employees entering the site over the course of the 20-minute shift change, with an average throughput of 15 users per minute and a peak of 27 users per minute. The Turnstile Flow Calculator concludes 2 turnstile lanes (MAC-2 or MAC-2T) will be needed.

Example B)

In example B let's say we have a very large industrial construction project where roughly 1000 employees will be entering the site over the course of a 30-minute shift change. In this example 4 turnstile lanes (MAC-4 or MAC-4T) will be needed.

Example C)

For example C it's not as large of a construction project, and we only have 150 employees that will be entering the site over the course of the 20-minute shift change. In this example only 1 turnstile lane (a MAC-1) will be needed.

At the end of the day no two construction sites are the same. When it comes to estimating, planning, and effectively implementing a perimeter security solution for your project and site-specific needs, Modular Security Systems Inc. and the patented Modular Access Control (MAC) Portal are here to help.

Want to give the Turnstile Flow Calculator a try for yourself? Just go to the MAC Portals page (it's on the bottom left) and try it out!

For more information on Modular Security Systems Inc., the Patented Modular Access Control (MAC) Portal, and the new MAC Lite, CONTACT US HERE or call us toll free at 740.532.7822.

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