Courthouse Metal Detectors

Why Courthouses Need Walk-Through Metal Detectors

Courthouses are among the highest-risk public buildings in the country. They handle criminal proceedings, civil disputes, and high-tension hearings daily — making reliable security screening not just important, but essential. A walk-through metal detector for courthouse use is the first and most critical line of defense, stopping weapons before they enter the building.

What to Look for in a Courthouse Metal Detector

Not all walk-through metal detectors are built for courthouse environments. The best courthouse metal detectors share a few key traits:

• Multi-zone detection — More zones means more precise pinpointing of where on the body a threat is located. 33-zone models give security staff an exact location, reducing secondary screening time and keeping lines moving. 18-zone models are effective but less precise.
• Touchscreen control — The Zorpro 33 Zone features an intuitive touchscreen panel that makes on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments fast and easy — no technical staff needed to reconfigure settings.
• High throughput — Both the Zorpro 33 Zone and Garrett PD 6500i handle up to 1,500 people per hour without sacrificing detection accuracy.
• Courthouse-specific programming — Both models come pre-programmed with judicial security profiles that minimize false alarms from belt buckles, coins, and orthopedic implants.
• ADA compliance — All PTI courthouse detectors meet ADA width requirements for accessibility.
• Durability — Courthouse detectors run all day, every day. PTI systems come with a 2-year warranty.

The Best Metal Detectors for Courthouses

PTI has outfitted courthouses across the United States for over 30 years. Here are our top courthouse metal detectors, listed in order of recommendation:

• Zorpro 33 Zone — $3,287 ✓ Most Recommended — Our top recommendation for courthouse security. The Zorpro is a newer system built specifically for high-traffic screening environments. 33-zone detection with an intuitive touchscreen control panel makes it easy for security staff to adjust sensitivity on the fly. Same speed and detection performance as the Garrett at $1,972 less per unit. Best value for county, municipal, and state courthouses.
• Garrett PD 6500i — $5,259 — TSA-certified, 33-zone. The standard in federal courthouses nationwide. Best choice when TSA certification is specifically required by your facility.
• Zorpro 18 Zone — $2,387 — A reliable entry-level option for smaller courthouses or secondary checkpoints. 18-zone detection is effective but provides less precise body-location pinpointing than the 33-zone models. ADA compliant.

TSA Certification: Not Required for Most Courthouses — Zorpro 33 Zone Is the Recommended Choice

For the vast majority of courthouses, TSA certification is not required. County courts, municipal courts, and most state judicial facilities have no mandate for TSA-certified equipment. In these cases, the Zorpro 33 Zone is PTI’s recommended model — it is a newer system that matches the Garrett PD 6500i in speed and zone count, features an easier-to-use touchscreen interface, and saves $1,972 per unit.

TSA certification is typically only required for federal courthouses and U.S. Marshals Service facilities. If your facility has a specific federal or DHS mandate for TSA-certified equipment, the Garrett PD 6500i is the appropriate choice. For everyone else, the Zorpro 33 Zone delivers equivalent performance at better value.

Throughput: How Many People Per Hour?

Both the Zorpro 33 Zone and Garrett PD 6500i offer the same high-throughput screening speed — up to 1,500 people per hour. The Zorpro 18 Zone is better suited for lower-traffic locations:

• Zorpro 33 Zone — Up to 1,500/hr — County and state courthouses (recommended)
• Garrett PD 6500i — Up to 1,500/hr — Federal courts, when TSA certification is required
• Zorpro 18 Zone — Up to 900/hr — Small courthouses, secondary checkpoints

For courthouses with peak morning arrivals, PTI recommends a 33-zone system and a dual-lane configuration if daily traffic exceeds 500 people.

Zorpro 33 Zone vs. Garrett PD 6500i: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Zorpro 33 Zone (Recommended)	Garrett PD 6500i
Price	$3,287	$5,259
Detection zones	33	33
Throughput	Up to 1,500/hr	Up to 1,500/hr
Control panel	Touchscreen (easy adjustments)	Button/menu based
TSA certified	No (not required for most courts)	Yes (required for federal courts)
Medical implant discrimination	Yes	Yes
ADA compliant	Yes	Yes
Warranty	2 years	2 years
Best for	County/state courts — best value	Federal courts only

Installation Considerations

• Permanent vs. portable — Most courthouses opt for permanent installation at main entry points.
• Spacing — Allow 3-4 feet of clearance on each side for bypass lanes and ADA-compliant alternate entry.
• Network connectivity — Both the Zorpro 33 Zone and Garrett PD 6500i support RS-232/USB for remote alarm logs and sensitivity adjustments.
• ADA compliance — All units meet the 32-inch minimum clear opening required by the ADA.
• Power — Standard 110V AC. No special electrical work required.

Procurement Guidance for County and State Governments

• Direct purchase — For purchases under standard bid thresholds, counties can purchase directly from PTI with a purchase order.
• Competitive bid — PTI can provide spec sheets, certification documentation, and reference contacts for RFP/RFQ processes.
• Federal grants — The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and DHS offer security equipment grants for state and local courts.

PTI has supplied metal detectors to county courthouses, U.S. district courts, and state judicial facilities for over 30 years. Contact us for a government quote

Frequently Asked Questions — Courthouse Metal Detectors

What is the best metal detector for a courthouse?

For most county and state courthouses, the Zorpro 33 Zone is PTI’s top recommendation. It is a newer system with the same 33-zone detection and 1,500/hr throughput as the Garrett PD 6500i, features an easier-to-use touchscreen control panel, and costs $1,972 less per unit. TSA certification is not required for most courthouses.

What metal detector does the federal government use in courthouses?

The Garrett PD 6500i is the standard in federal courthouses — TSA-certified and pre-programmed for judicial environments. For county and state courts where TSA certification is not required, the Zorpro 33 Zone is the better value.

Do courthouse metal detectors need to be TSA certified?

No — for most courthouses, TSA certification is not required. Federal courthouses and U.S. Marshals facilities typically require it; county and state courts generally do not. The Zorpro 33 Zone is PTI’s recommended model for non-federal installations.

How much does a courthouse metal detector cost?

PTI courthouse metal detectors start at $2,387 (Zorpro 18 Zone), with the recommended Zorpro 33 Zone at $3,287. All include a 2-year warranty and PTI offers a lowest price guarantee. Request a free quote

Can I rent a metal detector for a temporary courthouse?

Yes. PTI offers nationwide metal detector rentals for temporary court facilities and overflow locations.

How long does installation take?

Most installations complete in under two hours. Units arrive fully assembled and require only positioning, power connection, and sensitivity calibration.

Cost Considerations for Courthouse Security

Most courthouses already have trained security officers on staff — the metal detector is a one-time investment your existing team can operate immediately. The recommended Zorpro 33 Zone starts at $3,287 with a 2-year warranty included. PTI offers a lowest price guarantee on all courthouse metal detectors.

Not ready to buy? PTI offers nationwide metal detector rentals for courthouses evaluating a system before purchasing.

Get a free courthouse metal detector quote

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