Revolving Doors, Interlocks, and Speed Gates. Choosing the Right Entrance Control for Your Facility

How people enter and move through a building is one of the most important, and most overlooked, aspects of physical security. Entrance control does not simply organize foot traffic. It defines where risk is allowed to travel and how effectively a facility can prevent unauthorized movement.

For many commercial and institutional properties, the choice often comes down to two options. Security revolving doors or interlocks on one side, and speed gates on the other. While both are designed to manage access, they serve very different security and operational goals.

Why Entrance Control Is a Security Decision, Not Just an Architectural One

Entrance control systems sit at the intersection of security, operations, and user experience. They determine how credentials are verified, how easily tailgating can occur, and how quickly people can move through a space.

When chosen without a clear understanding of risk, these systems can create blind spots that undermine otherwise well-designed security programs. The right solution depends on what a facility needs to protect, how it is used, and how much risk it is willing to accept at the front door.

How Security Revolving Doors and Interlocks Work

Security revolving doors and interlocks, sometimes called mantraps, are designed to enforce strict one-person-at-a-time entry. These systems use sensors, weight detection, and door sequencing to ensure that only a single individual passes through after credentials are verified.

Interlocks add another layer of control by requiring one door to close completely before the next opens. This creates a controlled space where identity can be confirmed before access to the building or a restricted area is granted.

Where Revolving Doors and Interlocks Are Most Effective

These systems are best suited for environments where identity verification and tailgating prevention are critical. They are commonly used in facilities where even brief unauthorized access would pose significant operational, financial, or safety risk.

Examples include data centers, financial institutions, research facilities, government buildings, and corporate headquarters with restricted floors or departments. In these settings, security takes precedence over speed and convenience.

What They Offer and What They Require

Security revolving doors and interlocks provide the highest level of entrance control available in a commercial environment. They virtually eliminate tailgating, integrate tightly with access control and biometric systems, and act as a strong visual deterrent.

At the same time, they require more physical space and result in slower throughput. They also involve higher upfront investment, which must be evaluated against the level of risk the facility is designed to manage.

How Speed Gates Function in High-Traffic Environments

Speed gates, sometimes called optical turnstiles, are designed to manage large volumes of people efficiently. They typically use glass panels or swinging barriers that open quickly when a valid credential is presented.

These systems are optimized for environments where thousands of people move through a lobby each day. They are meant to keep traffic flowing while providing a moderate level of access control.

Where Speed Gates Make Sense

Speed gates are commonly used in office towers, corporate campuses, universities, and government facilities with high daily foot traffic. In these environments, operational efficiency and user experience are important, and security is supported through a combination of access control, surveillance, and staff oversight.

They work best where the goal is to discourage casual unauthorized entry rather than prevent it absolutely.

Strengths and Limitations of Speed Gates

Speed gates offer high throughput, a clean architectural aesthetic, and seamless integration with visitor management systems. They create a clear boundary between public and controlled space without making the building feel fortified.

However, they do not physically prevent tailgating on their own. Without cameras, alarms, or security personnel to monitor use, determined individuals can bypass them. For this reason, speed gates should be viewed as part of a broader security strategy rather than a standalone barrier.

How to Decide Which Is Right for Your Facility

The choice between interlocks and speed gates is fundamentally a question of risk tolerance and operational priorities.

Facilities that require strict identity control and minimal exposure to unauthorized access will benefit from revolving doors or interlocks. Buildings that prioritize smooth flow, visitor experience, and architectural openness may find speed gates to be a better fit.

Many organizations adopt a hybrid approach. Speed gates manage high-traffic public areas, while interlocks or mantraps protect restricted zones deeper inside the building.

How Connextivity Approaches Entrance Control Design

At Connextivity, entrance control is designed as part of a larger security system. The goal is not simply to install hardware, but to align access, surveillance, staffing, and building layout around real operational risk.

By understanding how people actually move through a facility and what needs the highest level of protection, entrance solutions can be selected and positioned to deliver both security and usability over the long term.

If your organization is evaluating revolving doors, interlocks, or speed gates, the most important step is understanding how these options fit into your overall security and operational goals.

Let’s talk about how your building’s entrances should support both safety and daily performance.