Frequently Asked Questions

Evolve Security Products Limited is a leading designer and manufacturer of pedestrian entrance controlled security speed gates, speed lanes, paddle gates, swing gates, tripod turnstiles full height turnstiles and security revolving doors.

FAQ | Evolve (ESP) (evolvesp.net)

The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get asked.

1. What is the difference between Speed Gates, Speed Lanes and Paddle Gates?

Speed gates is the name most used for a verity of pedestrian entrance controlled gates there are many others. Speed gates and speed lane are defined by the type of drive mechanism they use. There are two basic types of drive mechanism:-

  1. Swing type - Have arms that open in the direction of travel. Because of the arms movement they are sometimes call paddle gates as well as speed gates and speed lanes. 
  1. Retractable type - Have arms the retract back into larger cabinets, sometime known as flap gates because the arm is cheese wedge shaped or sliding gates because its a full panel.

    2. Do Speed Gates, Speed Lanes and Paddle Gates open fast?

    All version of speed gates open and close, retractable open slightly more quickly than swing arms. The actual passage thought-put speed is determined by how fast the access control system can valid the card/token and give the open command. Then it depends on how quickly the user can present the card and pass through the lane.

    To increase the passage flow rate all Evolve gates have a so called ''Stacking'' function. This means we can remember up to 99 valid open commands. Then this function is turned on its typically set to 5, so the lane will remember 5 valid open commands and stay open until all 5 users has passed.

    3. Can trolleys, wheelchairs large bulky items be use with speed gates.

    Some retractable flap speed gates only have up to 550mm opening in which case they can be used in congestion with a DDA swing gate. Retractable sliding speed gates are typically limited to 900mm opening due to the cabinet size. Swing or paddle gates speed gates can normally have up to 1200mm which are ideal for sports wheelchairs and fire regulations.

    4. Can speed gates be installed on fire routes.

    Yes, the equipment specifier must consult other relevant authorities such as fire, building control and the owner/occupier, as each have a related responsibility.

    Some speed gates have a break out our function which is not secure, these can be locked but then additional release mechanisms are required such as linking to the fire alarm systems and/or local break-glass release buttons.

    Size of escape routes must also be consider, please refer to our equipment specifiers guild.

    5. Why use speed gates.

    Compared to traditional tripod turnstiles, pedestrian speed gates offer better security. They are more difficult to climb over and crawl under and much better at detecting tailgating and other misuse such as collusion – Wrong direction and Loitering.

    6. Can speed gates work with card readers, QR readers and other bio-metric devices

    Yes, all our products are designed to be used with a third-party access control systems, we only require a volt free normally open contact closing for not more than 1sec, a separate contact for each direction of travel is required,

    If you do not have an access control system than we can help to supply only

    7. Can speed gates be installed on fire routes

    Yes, but it is important the the equipment specifier consults with fire authorities, building control and the owner/occupier, as each have a related responsibility in the installation and operation of a pedestrian entrance control system.

    Escape route widths must also be considered Approved document B, Fire Safety gives some guidance but there are many ways of achieving compliance, our equipment specifiers guide highlights some of the requirements. 

    8. Are speed gates safe to use.

    Different makes and models of speed gates offer different levels of safety and security. Different customers require different security levels which can effect the safe operation of a speed gate, it is there for important to decide at the tender stage which level of safety you require. There are typically FOUR safety concerns associated with pedestrian entrance control gates.

    • Hitting users that CORRECTLY use the gates;

    • Hitting users that INCORRECTLY use the gates;

    • User safety such as elderly, the infirm, disabled persons, parents with pushchairs and young children;

    • Hitting objects such as bags, trolleys, etc.

    To resolve these our gates provide:-

    • Safety in the opening and closing cycle.

    • Protection for the elderly, the infirm, disabled persons, parents with pushchairs and young children, etc.

    • Safety during miss-use.

    • Fire alarm input – On activation gates will automatically drive open.

    • Power failure - Manually push open