Tailgating & Speed Gate Solutions
Expanding on issues regarding tailgating and how it can be alleviated with the utilisation of Speed Gates.
What is tailgating in relation to pedestrian door usage?
Tailgating, or ‘piggybacking’ refers to people gaining unauthorised access by following closely behind an authorised person.
With traditional manual hinged doors, people often politely hold a door open for others to enter. This is fairly difficult to manage, hence tailgating is quite common unless additional measures are put in place.
With Speed Gates, tailgating is greatly reduced thanks to advanced detection systems, automated obstacles (doors) and a plethora of smart systems.
What issues does tailgating create?
The impact of tailgating depends on the sensitivity of the site. With that in mind, the following can be considered:
- Security – Some areas may be sensitive and prohibit certain people, or equipment from entering, or leaving an area.
- Health & Safety – Specific training may be required to enter certain areas.
- Monitoring – Knowing who or what has entered the building is not only useful for intelligence, but also vital in the instance of an emergency.
- Confidentiality – Often areas are off bounds for confidentiality of kinds, for example R&D departments.
- Loss of revenue – Certain areas of a building may require a membership to enter.
- User experience – With large or complex sites, not adhering to the flow of pedestrian traffic (in both directions) can cause issues for all.
- Crowd control – During certain times, areas can see fluxes of users. Not adhering to those rules can fragment the flow of users.
- Equipment monitoring – Some equipment may pose health and security risks if it were to travel beyond its remit. Some equipment may also require shielding.
- User intention – Disregarding the security protocol raises concerns regarding the intention and motives of the user at hand. Gaining transparency in these situations is paramount.
Whilst users need to respect the rules of the building, providing a poorly designed building with ill-equipped hardware will only result in higher instances of misuse.
Specifying the correct hardware for the job not only creates a better user experience for all, but also enforces the health and safety systems in a more succinct manner.
3 key factors as to how Speed Gates reduce tailgating
Speed Gates act as a multi-layered defence against tailgating within a low to medium security environment.
If an area requires a high level of security enforcement, Interlocking Security Doors, or Interlocking Security Pods will provide a better solution, as these can be rated to various security standards, such as the LPCBs SR3.
1. Visual Deterrent
Constructed of metal and glass, Speed Gates enforce a rigid boundary to entry.
Their visual presence often implies alarms are in place, and any attempts of forced entry will be made public.
2. Sensors & Automation
Infrared Sensors can be installed both horizontally and vertically to create a grid of infrared beams. These beams can detect movement or attempts at tailgating.
Access Control can also be implemented to apply control of access to users and equipment.
If there are unauthorised access attempts, the closing of the obstacles (doors) can be actioned in less than 1 second. Physical locking can also be applied at this stage.
3. Interlocking Speed Gates
When security is of a higher priority, 2 Speed Gates can be paired together.
This greatly reduces the chances of someone, or something entering an unrestricted area as it creates an area for additional checks to be completed (zone 2).
What is the best solution to stop tailgating?
We wish there was a simple answer to this. The truth is, every environment has a different set of needs, and realistically those needs change over time.
POYNTELL have decades of experience with all types of pedestrian doors and subsystems. We are certified by multiple 3rd party accredited bodies, and are a leading force for pedestrian door compliance in the South East of England.
Get in touch and we can take you from concern to compliant.