Architects: Populous
Main Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Project Scope
- External Turnstiles:
48 double turnstile pods incorporating 96 full-height turnstiles
48 SR2-rated stainless steel turnstile doors
SR2-tested, high-security interlocking DDA-compliant doors - Internal Turnstiles:
10 lanes of half-height glass wing turnstiles
2 DDA-compliant Intelligates - System Integration:
All turnstiles were integrated with the stadium’s access control platform, ticketing systems, stadia counting infrastructure, and fire alarm procedures.
Stadium Upgrade for Major International Events
As part of Balfour Beatty’s large-scale redevelopment of the former Olympic Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Park, East London, Security Solutions was selected to design, manufacture, and install a total of 96 full-height turnstiles.
The installation formed a vital part of the stadium’s readiness ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015. More than 150,000 visitors had already passed through the newly installed systems during earlier test events such as the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and the Barbarians vs Samoa rugby match.
The venue went on to welcome over 250,000 spectators during the tournament. Following the World Cup, the stadium became the permanent home of West Ham United Football Club in August 2016, and was established as the UK’s national competition centre for athletics.
Solving Complex Design & Integration Challenges
Brian Wilkinson, Senior Operations Manager at Security Solutions, led the project team and described some of the key technical challenges:
“The biggest challenge was not only the unique design of the Turnstiles, but the integration of an SR2 LPS1175 Twin Sliding Door into the Turnstile Structure. Alongside this was the need to meet the high expectations and demands of the Architects. Using the many years of experience we have, we were able to take our basic Turnstile Pod design, and modify it vastly to create and deliver a vision that was only previously imaginable on our 3D simulation software.”
“One of the key factors in the success of the project was early engagement with architects Populous and Balfour Beatty, the main contractor, as the specification stated that there were to be no fixings, no locks and no horizontal lines on the turnstiles requiring design changes to our standard stadia products. We also had to design and incorporate a steel soffit system to sit on the top of the turnstiles along with integrating the pods with the existing structure that supports the stadium roof.”
Built for Performance and Certified to SR2 Standards
At the Security Solutions manufacturing facility in Bolton, the team fabricated 48 double turnstile pods using stainless steel and mild steel. These units were then powder-coated in West Ham United’s iconic claret colour to match the stadium’s visual identity.
As part of the contract, the team also delivered:
- 48 SR2-rated high-security turnstile doors
- 18 interlocking DDA-compliant doors tested to LPS1175 standards, all of which passed demanding physical attack simulations
For the VIP internal areas, fewer modifications were required. The stadium’s specification matched Security Solutions’ standard turnstile products, allowing installation of:
- 10 lanes of half-height glass wing turnstiles
- 2 DDA-compliant Intelligates
On-Site Coordination and Full System Integration
To ensure seamless operation, Security Solutions worked closely with the stadium’s access control supplier. The goal was full integration of the new turnstiles with:
- Access control and ticket validation systems
- Stadia count infrastructure
- The stadium’s emergency evacuation and fire alarm systems
This work supported the venue’s Fire Policy, enabling fast and safe evacuation when required.
Trusted Supplier of Stadium Security Equipment
Andrew Davies, Managing Director at Security Solutions, reflected on the success of the project:
“Large projects like the former Olympic Stadium do throw out challenges for any sub contract suppliers but Security Solutions experience and knowledge of Stadia projects and our in-house capabilities to deliver the full turnkey solution from design, manufacture, install to commissioning combined with great teamwork throughout the company is what makes us stand out from the competition and underpins our success.”
“We approach all our installations with the same amount of care and dedication from a single traffic barrier installation at an office car park to multiple crash rated road blockers at a nuclear power plant.”
“We have invested heavily over the past 13 years in developing and testing our product range, training our workforce and providing a reliable service to our clients, all of this has allowed us to build and maintain a solid reputation as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of security equipment.”