Case study
Replacing end-of-life Reception speed gates at London Academy
EA Group was appointed to replace ageing reception speed gates at an academy in London after the original units had reached end-of-life status.
The existing gates had become difficult to keep operational, with replacement parts no longer readily available from the original manufacturer. EA Group’s maintenance team had been using remaining stock and salvaged components where possible, but this was no longer a reliable way to support a busy building.
Rather than continuing to repair a failing system, the academy chose to replace the units with high glass single lane speed gates that would be reliable and support better movement through the entrance.
About the Client
The client is an academy in London with a busy entrance used by staff, students and visitors throughout the day.
The single lane speed gates are an important part of the building’s access control setup, helping the academy manage entry while keeping movement through the reception area clear and controlled.
The challenge
The original reception speed gates had reached the end of their working life. As the units aged, replacement components became harder to source, which made ongoing maintenance slower and less reliable.
The original manufacturer was unable or slow to provide the parts needed, which meant the system became increasingly dependent on limited stock and salvaged components.
Once key parts were no longer available on the market, continuing to patch the system was no longer practical. The academy needed a replacement that would be easier to maintain and better suited to the level of daily use.
Client objectives
The academy needed a solution that would:
· Replace reception speed gates that had reached end-of-life status.
· Reduce the risk of mechanical downtime.
· Improve movement through the entrance during busy periods.
· Provide taller high glass lanes for improved security.
· Make future maintenance easier with parts that can be sourced locally.
· Create a cleaner and more reliable access control setup.
The solution
EA Group installed new high glass reception speed gates to replace the academy’s existing units.
The new lanes were chosen to improve reliability, increase throughput, and give the entrance a stronger security presence. Optimised sensors and faster mechanical response times help support higher volumes of movement during peak times, while the taller glass design provides a clear upgrade from the original units.
What EA did
EA Group reviewed the condition of the existing units and confirmed that continued repairs were no longer a practical option.
The old lanes were removed and replaced with new high glass single lane speed gates, selected for reliability, performance and ease of maintenance. The new setup gives the academy access to replacement parts that are more readily available if needed, reducing the risk of future downtime caused by obsolete components.
The installation process
We followed a structured process designed to minimise disruption:
Survey and planning
EA Group assessed the existing speed gates, entrance layout and daily access requirements. This helped confirm that a full replacement was the right approach, rather than continuing to maintain units that had reached end-of-life status.
Removal of old units
The original lanes were carefully removed from the entrance area. This allowed the team to clear out the failing system and prepare the space for the new high glass units.
Installation of high glass single lane speed gates
The new lanes were installed in place of the original units. The taller glass design provided a stronger security presence, while the upgraded sensors and faster mechanical response times helped improve movement through the entrance.
Testing and handover
Once installed, the lanes were tested to confirm full functionality. EA Group checked the operation, movement flow and access control performance before handing the system back to the academy.
The Results
The completed installation gave the academy a more reliable and secure entrance system.
By replacing the end-of-life units, EA Group removed the ongoing maintenance issues linked to obsolete parts and reduced the risk of mechanical downtime. The academy now has high glass speed gates that support better flow through the building, improve security and make future maintenance more straightforward.
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