Designing the Right Security Booth for Your Facility

A well-designed security booth functions as more than a checkpoint. It serves as the first line of defense for your facility by providing visibility, deterrence, and control at each entry point. Whether you are protecting a corporate campus, industrial site, school, or government facility, the right access control booth can strengthen your overall security strategy and support a safer, more efficient operation.

At Panel Built, Inc., we design and manufacture security booths that balance form and function. Each unit is built to fit your specific threat level, site layout, and operational needs. This guide explains how to choose and customize the right security booth design, from standard layouts to advanced ballistic-rated configurations.

In the world of physical security, layered protection—often referred to as “defense in depth”—is the foundation of an effective system. Each layer is designed to deter, deny, detect, and delay threats before they reach critical areas of your facility.

A security booth or entry control point booth plays a key role in this layered approach by:

• Serving as a visible deterrent that discourages unauthorized access
• Providing a controlled screening area for vehicles and visitors
• Offering a safe, secure workspace for on-duty officers
• Acting as a communication and surveillance hub for broader site monitoring

When placed strategically at your booth entrance, it becomes both a physical barrier and a psychological deterrent, signaling that your facility prioritizes security.

Every control security booth from Panel Built includes a thoughtful combination of safety, comfort, and functionality to ensure guards can perform their duties effectively.

Key Features Include:

• 360° Visibility: Full perimeter windows give officers complete situational awareness. Fixed or sliding glass options accommodate ID checks and vehicle interactions.
• Lighting & Power: LED lighting, electrical outlets, and a roof-mounted light switch come standard for convenience and visibility.
• Integrated HVAC: Through-wall heating and cooling keep the booth comfortable year-round.
• Stainless Steel Workstation: A durable countertop offers ample workspace for computers, paperwork, and monitoring equipment.

These features come standard on our Quick Ship Booths, but each can be further customized to match your site’s requirements.

While standard configurations cover most applications, many facilities require additional features to support higher volumes of traffic or expanded surveillance needs.

Common Security Booth Upgrades

1. Exterior Floodlights
   Ideal for 24-hour operations, floodlights improve visibility for guards while also serving as a visual deterrent for potential intruders.
2. CCTV and Monitoring Systems
   Integrating CCTV cameras or full video monitoring stations allows security personnel to watch multiple areas from a single control point. Booth interiors can be designed with reinforced counters and mounts for multiple monitors and equipment.
3. Access Control Integration
   Panel Built’s booths can include pass-through windows, card readers, and intercom systems to streamline vehicle and pedestrian entry at the access control point.
4. Custom Sizing and Multi-Person Stations
   For facilities requiring multiple guards or integrated systems, larger booth security structures can be built to house multiple officers, lockers, and communication equipment.

For government facilities, military installations, airports, or any location facing elevated risk, blast and ballistic-rated booths provide critical protection.

Advanced Security Features

• Ballistic Construction: Booths can be fabricated to meet UL-752, NIJ, or STANAG standards, offering protection from small arms up to rifle-caliber rounds.
• Ballistic Glass and Doors: Multi-layered glazing and reinforced doors maintain visibility while providing protection from projectiles.
• Gun Ports and Security Shutters: Optional gun ports allow defensive action from within, while emergency shutters seal off the booth in an active threat scenario.
• Reinforced Welded Steel Frames: Heavy-duty construction resists forced entry and impact.

These booths transform from passive observation points into fortified control security booths, giving officers time to assess, respond, and coordinate under threat.

Not every project focuses purely on security; some prioritize architectural cohesion and site aesthetics. Panel Built offers flexible options to align with your facility’s environment and brand.

Architectural Customizations

• Color Matching: Choose custom paint finishes to align with your facility’s colors.
• Exterior Finishes: Add brick, rock, or stucco paneling for a permanent look.
• Roof Styles: Incorporate standing seam metal or decorative rooflines to match nearby structures.

For larger architectural projects, our welded steel frame booths allow for creative shapes, window placements, and branded designs that are common in corporate campuses, universities, and public spaces.

How to Choose the Right Security Booth

When designing or purchasing a security booth, consider:

1. Threat Level: Does your site require basic access control or ballistic protection?
2. Traffic Volume: How many vehicles or visitors pass through your entry control point each day?
3. Visibility Requirements: Does your layout demand panoramic visibility or elevated sightlines?
4. Climate & Comfort: Will guards be stationed year-round or only seasonally?
5. Integration Needs: Should the booth interface with existing surveillance or access systems?

Panel Built’s modular approach allows you to start with a standard model and upgrade over time as your needs evolve.

For more than 25 years, Panel Built, Inc. has manufactured durable, code-compliant security booths for industrial, commercial, and government clients across the country. Our modular designs are pre-engineered, fully assembled or knocked down for easy transport, and built with precision to your exact specifications.

We specialize in designing booths that balance strength, comfort, and visual appeal so that your security officers can do their job effectively while representing your organization’s professionalism and preparedness.

Request a Quote for Your Custom Security Booth

Panel Built designs modular security booths, entry control point booths, and access control structures that enhance safety, visibility, and control at your facility’s perimeter. Whether you need a quick-deploy solution or a custom ballistic-rated enclosure, our team will guide you from design to installation.

Call 1-800-636-3873, email info@panelbuilt.com, or request a quote online to get started today.