1. Metal detection gates: the general-purpose choice
Metal detection gates are the standard passenger screening equipment at airports, stations, courts and schools. The core indicator is sensitivity — the industry standard is "the metal object size detectable at the middle of the passage"; a SECUGUARD gate detects a coin placed at center.
Confirm compliance with GB15210 (Walk-Through Metal Detector national standard); focus on detection zone count (6/8-zone locating), anti-interference (stable side-by-side multi-unit operation) and security features such as password protection.
2. Phone detection gates: intelligent classification
Phone detection gates are designed for examination centers and classified facilities: intelligent computation classifies phones, cameras, recorders and other electronic devices with voice alerts by category, while 8 independent detection zones pinpoint the carrying location.
Their core advantage is big-data capability: automatic collection of environmental parameters, calibrated alarm thresholds and low false-alarm rates; 1–255 band adjustment keeps multiple units interference-free on site — ideal for large-scale exam-center deployment.
3. Temperature screening gates: two-in-one efficiency
Temperature screening gates integrate metal detection and infrared thermometry — two checks in one pass, ideal for hospitals, stations and schools. Focus on temperature accuracy, alarm linkage and thrown-object detection (preventing items from being passed around the gate).
4. Deployment strategy for high-traffic venues
When deploying multiple gates side by side, keep 1.5m+ spacing and unify frequency bands; design screening lanes in three segments — "guidance—screening—handling" — with handheld detectors for re-checks; connect gates to a centralized management system with unified alarm records and captured images for traceability.
5. Supporting equipment and upgrade paths
Gates combine with X-ray scanners, temperature modules and facial recognition into complete screening lanes; connecting to a smart security inspection platform adds passenger counting, alarm linkage and remote O&M. Projects with adequate budgets should plan holistically to avoid duplicate construction.
6. Design principles for high-traffic screening lanes
Design lanes in three segments: the guidance area uses barriers and signage to organize flow and prevent queue-jumping; the screening area configures lane count by traffic volume (single lane throughput 20+ persons/min); peak hours open extra lanes or add handheld detectors to distribute the flow; the handling area sits at the lane end with re-check tables and a holding area.
Staffing reference: at least 3 per lane (1 guidance, 1 image/monitor, 1 handling); double at key venues; hand over device status and anomaly records at shift changes for seamless continuity.
7. Anti-interference in side-by-side deployment
Multiple gates side by side risk mutual interference (adjacent electromagnetic fields stacking into false alarms). Mainstream products solve this with frequency division: 1–255 band adjustment lets adjacent units run on different bands. Spacing of 1.5m+ is recommended; with many units, alternate odd/even bands.
Run side-by-side interference tests at acceptance: adjacent units on simultaneously, personnel with standard test objects pass each lane, record false-alarm rates; if high, adjust band combinations first, then consider greater spacing. Test near metal floors and EMI sources (elevators, power rooms) to confirm.
8. Gate maintenance and annual inspection
Daily maintenance: weekly cleaning of panels and detection coil areas (prevent metal dust buildup); monthly sensitivity checks with standard test objects (coins, test plates) and records; quarterly checks of cables, power and grounding; for software-based products (phone detection gates), regular system updates and data backups.
Compliance: periodic submission to third-party testing per GB15210 and other standards, with qualified reports archived; verify sensitivity, zone locating and alarm functions item by item. Keep maintenance and inspection records for at least 3 years as security-management audit evidence.
9. Selection decision table for the three gate types
Choose by scenario: general passenger screening (stations, courts, stadiums) — metal detection gates, focusing on sensitivity and GB15210 compliance; exam centers and classified venues (gaokao, classified meetings, confidential units) — phone detection gates, focusing on category classification and 8-zone locating; temperature-screening venues (hospitals, epidemic prevention, government lobbies) — temperature gates, focusing on accuracy and throughput.
Budget and upgrade paths: metal gates are the general baseline; phone gates cost about 2–3× metal gates; temperature gates suit newly planned lanes. Sites with existing metal gates can add temperature modules instead of replacing whole units.
10. Procurement process and vendor assessment
Standardized five steps: 1) requirement confirmation (lane count, throughput, detection targets, installation environment); 2) solution comparison (3+ vendors, item-by-item parameter table); 3) live demonstration (sensitivity with standard test objects, side-by-side interference tests); 4) commercial negotiation (warranty, after-sales, spares, training); 5) contract and acceptance (clear acceptance standards and payment milestones).
Vendor assessment: qualifications (test reports, standards compliance), cases (same-industry deliveries and reputation), service (local points, response times, spare-parts stock), R&D (software update frequency, AI upgrade capability). Price is not the only factor — total life-cycle cost (purchase + operation + upgrade) drives the decision.
11. Common questions and usage misconceptions
Misconception 1: "maximum sensitivity is best". Over-sensitive settings amplify environmental interference into false alarms — choose the right level for the site's electromagnetic environment and calibrate on site. Misconception 2: "more zones means better". 8-zone locating suits phone detection gates; 6 zones suffice for general metal gates — more zones cost more, configure by need.
Common issues: frequent false alarms (check surrounding EMI sources, ground metal objects, band conflicts); missed detections (periodic sensitivity checks with standard test objects); no response (check power and mainboard fuses). Diagnose environment and settings before reporting device faults — many "faults" are actually usage issues.
12. Deployment notes for temperature screening gates
Temperature gates are environment-sensitive: avoid direct sunlight and AC vents (they affect accuracy); place lanes in temperature-stable areas and calibrate before deployment; at peak flow, prompt people to pause 1–2 seconds for measurement to avoid missed readings; define the abnormal-temperature re-check process (re-measure, isolate, report).
Data records: associate temperature readings with captured images for epidemiological tracing; report daily abnormal-temperature counts. A screening gate is not a medical device — anomalies go to manual re-check; state this clearly in on-site signage and training.
13. Future trends: intelligent security gates
Gates are evolving from "single detection" to "multi-modal + intelligent": AI prohibited-item recognition (fusing image and detection data), facial recognition linkage (watchlist alerts), passenger flow analytics (lane efficiency), self-diagnosis and remote O&M (fault warnings). These capabilities turn the gate from a "screening tool" into a "security data gateway".
Forward-looking procurement: check for reserved intelligent upgrade interfaces (compute modules, algorithm platforms), software update mechanisms and data interface openness; pilot with base models and upgrade smart modules as needed to control initial investment.
