Frequently Asked Questions

An optical turnstile is a lane-based entrance control system that uses infrared sensor beams to detect and authenticate each person entering or exiting a secured area. Fastlane^® optical turnstiles come in three configurations — barrier-free, arm barrier, and glass barrier speed gates — each using the same detection technology with varying levels of physical deterrence. From corporate lobbies to data centers, they’re the go-to entrance control solution for any facility looking to manage traffic and keep unauthorized entry out.

A speed gate is a specific type of optical turnstile equipped with motorized glass barrier panels that swing open for authorized users and close to block unauthorized entry. Within the Fastlane lineup, the Glassgate series — including the Glassgate 150 LX, 150 Plus, 250 Plus, 300, and 400 — are speed gates. The go-to choice for any facility where security and first impressions matter equally.

Optical turnstiles are equipped with a dense array of infrared sensor beams that cover the entire height and width of the access lane. When two individuals attempt to enter using a single credential—one authorized and the other unauthorized—the sensor array detects the second person. The response depends on the turnstile configuration: barrier-free models emit an audible alert and a visual alarm, while arm-barrier and glass-barrier speed-gate models also close the physical barrier to prevent entry. Fastlane turnstiles utilize advanced neural network technology designed to detect individuals as close as 1/4″ apart and differentiate between a valid single entry and an attempted tailgate.

Tailgating is when an unauthorized person follows closely behind an authorized user without the authorized user’s knowledge. Piggybacking is when the authorized user knowingly allows an unauthorized person to enter behind them. Both are security risks that Smarter Security’s Fastlane optical turnstiles and Door Detective systems are designed to detect and alert on.

Yes. All Fastlane turnstile models accommodate a standard 36″ ADA-accessible lane, ensuring compliant access for wheelchair users and individuals with mobility devices. In Canada, the Toronto area now requires a minimum of 950mm — a more stringent standard. The Fastlane Glassgate 150 Plus is designed to accommodate the Canadian 950mm requirement. For a deeper look at Toronto’s new accessibility design guidelines, visit our blog.

Fastlane optical turnstiles are credential-agnostic — they integrate with any third-party access control system and reader. Supported credentials include proximity cards (HID, AWID), smart cards (MIFARE, DESFire), mobile credentials (Bluetooth Low Energy, NFC), biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition), QR codes, and PIN keypads. Smarter Security partners with leading access control providers across all major platforms.

Full-height turnstiles are floor-to-ceiling rotating barriers that physically block all passage until a valid credential is presented. They provide maximum physical deterrence but are slower and typically used outdoors or at high-security perimeters. Fastlane optical turnstiles — offer faster throughput, superior lobby aesthetics, and a better user experience, making them the preferred choice for corporate, healthcare, government, and institutional indoor environments. For more information, visit our blog “Optical Turnstiles vs. Full-height Turnstiles.“

The number of turnstiles a building requires is determined by a combination of factors — starting with the building’s occupant load and entrance/exit population designation established during the fire and life safety design process, along with peak-hour throughput demand. Lobby layout, security objectives, visitor traffic volume, ADA requirements, and desired user experience all play a role in the final lane count and configuration. It’s always best to speak with one of our experts. They’ll help you find the right solution and identify cost-saving opportunities — for example, wider-lane turnstiles can reduce the total number of units needed without compromising security or flow.

Smarter Security sells through a network of certified security integrators and dealers across the Americas. To start the process, contact Smarter Security at info@smartersecurity.com or 512.328.7277. A regional sales manager will assess your project requirements and connect you with a qualified integrator in your area.

Please work with your account representative to send us a copy of your reseller certificate and complete our credit application.

Smarter Security can clad our turnstile pedestals in various custom metals. To match any material in your lobby, please send us a sample and we will provide ideas and a quote for customization.

In addition, there are many Rimex metal choices available, as well as Corian top options. Visit our Design Resources to learn more.

Yes. To do this, you provide us with an eps file of your logo and based on the turnstile model selected we will recommend placement and size.

The UL listing applies to standard products. Certain options, such as approved custom tops, would maintain the listing, but customization of dimensions, materials, or operation will void the UL listing.

These models offer a wider lane:

• Fastlane non-barrier optical turnstiles: 400OT, Clearstyle 200, Clearstyle 400, and Compact offer a wider ADA lane.
• Fastlane gates: Intelligate, Intelligate 300, Passgate, and Passgate 300.
• Fastlane Glassgate 155 and Glassgate 400 Plus turnstiles can accommodate lanes up to 48”. Please note that glass barriers for turnstiles cannot be increased in width to close a gap if the lanes are set farther apart.

Fastlane turnstile pedestals come in a standard stainless steel finish, with custom options including Rimex metal finishes, powder-coated finishes, and even wood. Contact your regional sales manager or authorized integrator for a finish sample kit and custom specification options. See more information here.

Power supplies are supplied with each order. The number of power supply units is based on the number of lanes and the model ordered.

We recommend the power supply for Fastlane turnstiles be mounted near the guard desk, in a secure closet, or near the access control system.

Power supplies can be up to 200′ away from the turnstile pedestals when using 14AWG wire. Larger wire will not fit in the connector. Please consult with Smarter Security if runs further than 200’ are required.

Yes, all Fastlane turnstiles operate on a low voltage DC 24VDC.

110-240VAC input. 24VDC output.

The gauge of wire used varies according to the wire length to account for resistance.

Installation time varies by the number of turnstile lanes and the work being completed by the general contractor or other installers. With prep work done to the floor including coring and electric if required, mounting and wiring the turnstile pedestals takes approximately 1-2 hours per lane.

Yes, we can provide pedestal footprint templates in advance of shipping the turnstiles, after the deposit is received. The templates come at no charge, but there is an additional shipping charge of $150 if you want them early.

A maintenance gap of 4 inches is required on the outside edges of the two outer pedestals to allow technicians to remove panels to access the internal parts. This gap is also required during installation. Infill or other barriers that violate the maintenance gap do not void the product warranty, but if those need to be moved to allow required services to be performed, removal and replacement is the customers’ responsibility.

Maintenance is covered at the back of the installation manual and is recommended once yearly, at a minimum.  We also offer preventative maintenance services by our team of experienced technicians. Visit our Services page for more information.

For predicted service needs such as Site Certification and Preventive Maintenance, we request 3 weeks’ notice to schedule. For urgent issues, we will work with you to troubleshoot remotely and get on site as quickly as possible.

Smarter Security highly recommends Site Certification and Training to ensure long product lifetimes and uninterrupted performance. We encourage customers to choose this service by extending our standard one-year parts warranty by an additional two years for a total of 3 years for Site Certified installations. In this service, our techs are on-site prior to power-up to verify that turnstiles are installed correctly and that there are no issues upon start-up. We also train the integrator and end-user security manager on proper use of the system.

Order spare parts by calling us at 1-800-943-0043 where a sales support person will provide you a quote for parts. Before an RMA is issued for a turnstile under warranty, a Smarter Security technician will first review and troubleshoot to make sure no other parts are affected.

After review, the technician provides a RMA number, and you receive a quote for the part. We require a PO in case the part is not covered by the warranty for any reason. Once you send in the part, our technical team will test it and determine if it’s defective and under warranty. If the warranty applies, you will not be billed for the part.

We keep almost all Fastlane spare parts in stock, so they are promptly shipped from Austin, Texas. If your turnstile is a custom design or an older model, the turnaround time might be a bit longer.

Fastlane places a premium on user safety and all glass used on Fastlane turnstiles is 10mm Toughened Safety Glass (Heat Soaked) to EN 14179 / ANSI 97.1.

In normal use, 5,000,000 cycles of operation are expected before electro mechanical parts require replacement as part of an approved preventative maintenance program.

The barrier arms or glass panels will be able to be easily pushed out of the way to allow people to proceed through the lanes. A battery backup integration option is available, which would allow the barriers to automatically open for free egress. See A&E spec for more detail (Section 2.04 – E).

Yes, one battery per motor is allowed within the pedestal.

The force required to push open Fastlane turnstiles varies by model and is listed in the A&E specs for each model. Some models are available with optional locking barriers that cannot be forced open without breaking the glass.

Smarter Security has worked with all the major elevator suppliers to assist customers in integrating their lobby turnstiles with the elevator dispatch system. Needs vary, but installing a dispatch display unit in the turnstile top is common. Not all Fastlane models are equally suited for elevator dispatch, so contact us to discuss your needs.

Anti-passback prevents a credential from being used to enter a secured area twice without first exiting — closing the loophole of passing a card back through the lane. Anti-passback is managed at the access control system level, not the turnstile itself. Fastlane turnstiles fully support anti-passback when integrated with a compatible access control platform. Contact your integrator or access control vendor to enable this feature.

Door Detective is an advanced security solution that uses active infrared technology to detect unauthorized access through doorways. The anti-tailgate detection capabilities vary by model:

• Door Detective Plus (DDP) and Door Detective Side Gating (DDSG): Adjustable detection with typical range of 0.79″ (20mm) using a 12-beam matrix
• Door Detective Compact Length (DDCL): Detection range of 1.97″ (50mm) using an 8-beam matrix
• Door Detective Compact (DDC): Adjustable to either 40mm or 75mm detection sensitivity

With detection capability as small as 0.79 inches, Door Detective offers industry-leading granularity for tailgate prevention.

Door Detective comes in several models to suit different security needs:

• Door Detective Compact Length (DDCL): 98.4″ (2,500mm) entry coverage
• Door Detective Compact (DDC): 88.6″ (2,250mm) entry coverage
• Door Detective Plus (DDP): Extended coverage for wider entrances
• Door Detective Side Gating (DDSG): Premium coverage with enhanced aesthetics

All models can process throughput of up to 1 person per second, though total system latency may vary depending on connected access control components.

Door Detective is designed primarily for interior applications but can work with exterior doors when installed correctly. All models must be installed on the secure-side interior of doors, not the exterior side. The DDCL model features environmental hardening to avoid sunlight interference and can operate in temperatures from 41°F to 122°F with humidity levels between 5% and 95%. Door Detective is not recommended for the non-secure side of exit doors as the push-to-exit function would defeat the tailgate detection. For exterior doors, always install on the interior side facing the secure area to ensure reliable performance while maintaining security integrity. For high-security applications requiring exterior monitoring, consult with security specialists for custom solutions.

Door Detective offers sophisticated people counting capabilities:

• Real-time count information: Available on IP-connected models (DDP and DDSG)
• Integration options:
  • Dry contact relay outputs to any Physical Access Control System (PACS)
  • API-script integration with PACS software
  • FastCount solution for dedicated people counting
• Buffer capacity: Up to 10 card reads can be buffered
• Emergency situations: Continues counting during fire emergencies (Free Egress mode) and network disruptions, with ability to push updated information once connectivity is restored

The DDP and DDSG models feature ENT-relays that support FastCount functionality for advanced occupancy monitoring.

Door Detective seamlessly integrates with existing security infrastructure. The system works with all major card reader manufacturers, lock types up to 24V at 1 amp, and virtually all access control software platforms. While compatible with most access control hardware, CCURE800 systems require unique wiring. LenelS2 is specifically architected to fully leverage Door Detective’s occupancy monitoring and anti-tailgate capabilities. The Door Detective Plus and Door Detective SG models provide enhanced integration through 2 dry-contact relays, increased power for lock devices, and direct network communication via PoE.

Door Detective provides clear status information through multiple channels:

• Visual displays: Tri-color LED diffused through frosted acrylic windows
  • Red: Alarm condition
  • White: Idle status (adjustable to red if preferred)
  • Green: Authorized access
  • Blue: Replaces white on CL models
• Audible indicators: Multiple single-tone sounders
  • Single short tone: Card Authorization Event
  • Single long tone: Alarm Condition
  • CL models have single sounder while DDC, DDSG, and DDP models feature two sounders that can be enabled or disabled

Door Detective is built to perform reliably across various environments:

• Temperature range: 41°F to 122°F (5°C to 50°C)
• Humidity range: 5% to 95% relative humidity
• DDCL models feature environmental hardening to avoid sunlight interference
• All models must be installed on the interior (secure side) of doors
• ADA compliant installation with no doorway obstruction

These specifications ensure Door Detective functions optimally in typical commercial and institutional environments.

Door Detective intelligently handles common objects without triggering false alarms. The system can properly detect carts as long as they’re not completely filled, with more gaps reducing the likelihood of confusion with tailgaters. Default settings prevent false alarms with both carry-on sized luggage and standard backpacks. The sophisticated detection algorithms effectively distinguish between legitimate objects and unauthorized personnel attempting to tailgate, maintaining security without disrupting normal operations.

Door Detective offers several customization options:

• DDC, DDP, and DDSG models: Available vinyl wrapping to match interior design
• CL models: Custom mesh colors available
• Light patterns: Technically adjustable (though not typically recommended)
• Sound patterns: Adjustable, with CL models offering replacement of alarm inputs with custom annunciations for events.

These options allow Door Detective to blend seamlessly with high-end corporate environments while maintaining top-tier security performance.

Door Detective is especially valuable in healthcare facilities (pharmacy and records rooms), data centers (server cage and colocation entries), corporate offices (executive floors, IT closets), multi-tenant buildings (floor-by-floor access points), and government buildings (secured back-of-house areas). Any controlled door where tailgating is a risk and space constraints rule out a full turnstile lane is a strong Door Detective candidate.

Fastlane turnstiles are compatible with virtually all major access control platforms, including Lenel OnGuard, Software House C•CURE 9000, Genetec Security Center, Honeywell Pro-Watch, AMAG Symmetry, Gallagher, Illumia (formerly Transact), Brivo, and others. Smarter Security provides integration documentation and technical support to ensure smooth deployment with your existing system infrastructure.

Yes. Fastlane turnstiles integrate with leading visitor management systems (VMS) including Envoy, Proxyclick, and others via standard access control interfaces. When a visitor credential is issued in the VMS, it can automatically grant single-use or time-limited access through the turnstile lane. This creates a seamless, touchless visitor experience without requiring separate hardware.

Yes. Fastlane turnstiles can trigger camera recording events and push alerts to video management systems (VMS) on any tailgating detection event. This creates an event-driven video audit trail of every access event — authorized or not — which supports both real-time security response and post-incident investigation. Contact your integrator to configure VMS event mapping.

Yes. Full CAD drawings, technical drawings, A&E specifications, and product datasheets are available for all Fastlane models in the Smarter Security resource center. BIM object files are also available for architects and design engineers working in Revit. Smarter Security also offers AIA Continuing Education courses for architects specifying entrance control systems.