Quick answer

On an industrial site it helps to think in rings: the perimeter and vehicles, staff entrances and, inside, restricted areas. Each ring uses a different means (barrier or gate, turnstile or reader door, and readers on specific rooms) and all share one piece of software and one list of who is on site.

What makes an industrial unit different

A long perimeter and few eyes. Several doors, loading docks and gates, often with no reception.
Vehicles. Staff cars, delivery vans and lorries share one entrance.
Shifts. Arrivals concentrated in a few minutes, at night and on holidays.
Outside staff. Hauliers, maintenance and contractors on site daily.
Harsh environment. Dust, weather, forklifts and knocks.

Think in rings

Perimeter and vehicles. A gate or barrier with identification: number plate recognition for regular vehicles, long-range card or intercom for the rest. See number plate recognition.
Staff entrance. If you need to know for certain who is inside, a turnstile on the pedestrian entrance; otherwise a door with a reader.
Restricted areas. High-value stock, chemicals, server room, offices: a reader on each door and permissions by role.

Hauliers

Advance notice of the load, with number plate and time slot.
Access limited to the yard and the assigned dock.
A signed waiting area that does not require crossing the unit.

Contractors

Giving another company's staff access usually goes with checking their health and safety documents. The practical approach is for the credential to expire when the documents do. See visitor and contractor management.

Roll call and emergencies

One of the most valuable uses of the system is knowing who is inside during an evacuation. For that list to be reliable, exits must be recorded too, which is only realistic with turnstiles or well-placed exit readers. Emergency exits must stay free: see access control and evacuation.

Equipment for industrial settings

Readers and enclosures with a suitable rating against dust and water.
Stainless or galvanised turnstiles for outdoor use.
Mechanical guards where forklifts operate.
Metal conduit where knocks are likely.

Clocking

The entrance turnstile or reader is often also used for time recording. That is valid, but passing the turnstile does not always coincide with the start of actual work: define it in writing.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I still need a guard if I install access control?

They are different things. The system automates who may enter and keeps a record; whether guarding is needed depends on the risk at each site. On many sites the system removes the need for a permanent gatehouse post, but that is each company’s decision.

Can lorry access be controlled without stopping traffic?

Yes, with number plate recognition and advance notice: the barrier opens for expected vehicles and sends the rest to the intercom.

This guide is for information only and is not a substitute for legal advice or for the technical design of each installation. Regulations change: always check the current text at the official source.