A commercial entrance needs to look professional, keep people moving and help control who can access the building.
For offices, business centres, shared workspaces and secure sites, speed gates offer a clean way to manage entry without making the reception area feel too restrictive. They create a clear access point, work with existing entry systems and help reduce unauthorised access during busy periods.
The best model depends on the site, the level of security required and how the entrance is used throughout the day.
Why speed gates are used in commercial buildings
Reception areas can become busy quickly, especially at the start and end of the working day. Staff, visitors, contractors and delivery teams may all need access, but not always to the same parts of the building.
Single lane speed gates help manage this by allowing authorised users to pass through while creating a physical barrier for anyone who should not have access.
They are commonly used in:
- Corporate offices
- Shared workspaces
- Business centres
- Commercial receptions
- Secure facilities
- Residential developments with concierge areas
- Public buildings with controlled access points
They are also well suited to buildings where appearance matters. A well-specified speed gate can support security while still fitting neatly into a modern reception or lobby.
What to consider before choosing a speed gate
Before choosing a speed gate, it is worth looking at how the entrance works day to day.
Important points include:
- Expected footfall at peak times
- The width of the entrance area
- Whether wheelchair access or wider lanes are required
- Existing access control systems
- The level of security needed
- Whether the entrance is staffed or remotely managed
- The building’s interior design
- Emergency egress requirements
A compact office lobby will usually need a different setup from a large reception with heavy footfall. Some sites need speed and simplicity. Others need higher glass, stronger detection or a more premium finish.
1. EA Single Lane Speed Gates
The EA Single Lane Speed Gate is designed for busy commercial entrances where fast, controlled access is needed.
It is suited to offices, business centres and secure buildings where people need to move through efficiently while still passing through an access-controlled lane.
The EA Single Lane Speed Gate can integrate with major access control systems and is available with custom lane widths, including DDA-compliant options. It can also be supplied in stainless steel or custom RAL colour finishes to suit the building.
Key features include:
- Fast, secure access for busy entrances
- Custom lane widths, including DDA-compliant options
- Integration with major access control systems
- Stainless steel or custom RAL colour finishes
- LED guidance indicators
- Fire alarm integration for emergency opening
- Battery backup for continued operation during power loss
This makes the EA Single Lane Speed Gate a practical choice for sites that need reliable entrance control without slowing down authorised users.
2. EA Swing Lane Speed Gate
The EA Swing Lane Speed Gate is a waist-height speed gate that uses a swing open passage principle.
It is a good option for commercial sites that need a cost-effective speed gate with a clean appearance and reliable day-to-day performance. It supports traffic flow of up to 30 people per minute and can be specified with different heights, lane widths and finishes.
It can also be controlled from most access control systems, making it suitable for buildings that already use cards, passes or other approved credentials.
Key features include:
- High traffic flow capacity
- Wide lane options for wheelchair access
- Choice of finishes
- Integration with most access control systems
- Manual control option
- Normally open or normally closed operation
- Modern glass panel design
The EA Swing Lane Speed Gate is well suited to staffed receptions, commercial entrances and internal access points where the priority is straightforward entrance control.
3. Higher security speed gate options: EA Swing HG and EA Slide
Some commercial buildings need a stronger physical barrier than a standard waist-height gate. This may apply to high-security offices, premium business centres or sites where tailgating is a concern.
For these settings, higher glass or sliding panel options may be more suitable.
The EA Swing HG Speed Gate is the taller version of EA’s swing gate model. It is designed for entrances where a higher level of security is required, with glass panel wings available up to 1800mm from floor level. This helps reduce the risk of people passing items over the turnstile or climbing over the lane.
The EA Slide Speed Gate uses sliding glass panels and can be supplied with panels up to 1.54 metres high. It also offers a fast opening time of 0.8 seconds and people flow of up to 30 people per minute.
These models are useful when a site needs a more secure entrance while keeping the clean appearance expected in a commercial reception.
Key features can include:
- Higher glass panels for improved physical control
- Manual or automatic operation
- Integration with access control systems
- Choice of surface finishes
- Robust design
- Suitable options for higher-security reception areas
- A clean finish for modern commercial interiors
Which speed gate is right for your site?
There is no single speed gate that suits every building.
A busy corporate reception may need fast throughput and wider lanes. A smaller office lobby may need a compact, cost-effective option. A secure commercial site may need higher panels or a sliding gate design to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
The right choice depends on the space available, the level of control required and how people move through the entrance.
Emergency operation should also be considered at specification stage. Fire alarm integration, battery backup and clear egress routes are all important when planning entrance control for a commercial site.
Commercial solutions from EA Group
EA Group supplies a range of options for commercial buildings, office receptions and secure sites.
From the EA Single Lane Speed Gate to the EA Swing Lane, EA Swing HG and EA Slide Speed Gate, each model offers a different balance of flow, design and security. This allows the entrance to be specified around the building and how it is used.
Whether you need a high-throughput single lane speed gate for a busy office or a more secure gate for a restricted commercial area, EA Group can help you choose the right entrance control solution.
To discuss options for your commercial building, contact the EA Group team.
