Many people do not give much consideration to fences in general. The differences between a security fence and the one surrounding their backyard is not something they typically think about. The reality is that, it is not until they are confronted with the responsibility of selecting a fence to safeguard a commercial, industrial, or institutional property that they realize that they don’t know what to look for.
Fortunately, we do understand the differences between residential fences and security fences and are pleased to discuss with you the key elements that you need to be looking for:
Security Fence Height
One of the primary factors that differentiate a security fence from a regular demarcation fence is its height. A security fence should have a minimum height of six feet. However, security fences typically have a height ranging from eight or ten feet. In some places, such as prisons, fences with a minimum height of fourteen feet are required.
Security Fencing Structure
Residential fences are typically designed for marking boundaries and providing privacy, rather than preventing unauthorized access. Therefore, they are usually lighter in weight compared to security fences.
Common materials used for residential fences include wood or vinyl. Even when made from steel, the thickness of the pipe walls and wire mesh diameters are much lower than those used in security fences. This makes residential fences less expensive, but they do not offer much in terms of security.
It is crucial to carefully assess the specifications of a security fence and take note of the diameters and wall thicknesses of the materials used. If any of the components seem lightweight, it is recommended to inquire if it meets commercial or industrial standards. Selecting a lightweight security fence to save costs initially could result in higher expenses for repairs in the future. I would highly recommend that you take a look at metal swing barrier gate as this may come useful to you.
Security Above and Below
When it comes to security fences, people tend to focus solely on the fence itself and neglect to consider what is happening above and below it.
If the fence material can be climbed, or if a ladder can be placed next to it, it is crucial to think about implementing some sort of fence top security such as razor coils (where permitted by government), barbed wire, spikes, or electronic monitoring. Similarly, the bottom of the fence must also be secured. If the mesh can be lifted or the fence can be dug under, it creates a significant gap in your perimeter security. It is recommended to add a bottom rail to fences installed over hard surfaces or explore under-fence security options to prevent digging.
Vehicular Impact
Another critical aspect to consider when designing a security fence is limiting access to the site by vehicles. Standard chain-link and similar fences have posts that are spaced up to 10 feet apart, and some do not have concrete footings. This type of fence can be easily breached by a determined individual with a moderate to large vehicle.
To enhance the security of your fence, you can consider increasing the size of fence posts and concrete footing while decreasing the amount of space between posts. By using heavy-duty steel posts that are planted in heavy-duty concrete, and spacing them closely enough to make it impossible for a vehicle to fit between them, unauthorized access to the site becomes more challenging. Another alternative is to choose a crash-rated fence, which can deter or, at the very least, slow down unauthorized access to sensitive areas, although the fence itself may sustain some damage in the process.
Nothing is Infallible
Although all of these measures can enhance the effectiveness of your security fence, the reality is that there are no walls, fences, or even electronic security systems that are entirely impenetrable.
