10 things to consider when building a security fence around your home
Building a security fence needs many factors to be considered, such as the location, type of fencing material, and more. Sometimes, even what most people think is merely aesthetics contributes a great deal towards the durability and enhanced functions of the fence.
What do I need to think about when building a security fence?
The team here at Chainwire Fencing recommend 10 factors to think about when planning or designing a security fence:
- Location
- Purpose
- Security level
- Clear visibility
- Good lighting
- Reinforced fence toppers
- Better access control
- A lower rail
- Coloured chain wire
- Two rows of security fencing.
Location
Knowing where the security fence will be used can help identify the types of fencing and materials needed. Here are some of the common uses of security fences.
Commercial property
Security fences keep business parks, office buildings, warehouses, shopping centres, leisure parks and other commercial properties safe from theft, vandalism, unauthorised entry and other malicious deeds. They protect the occupants of these properties as well.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities
These security fences keep staff, patients and visitors in mental health facilities, specialist units, residential care facilities and hospitals safe.
Schools
Security fences prevent any unauthorised entry to the campus. This protects kids, teachers and other school personnel from theft, accident and anti-social behaviour.
Purpose
The Department of Education in Queensland has outlined the types of security fencing that can be used in various institutions and facilities, particularly in Australian schools. It is imperative to know the different types of security fences and where they can be applied.
Type 1 security fencing
This type of security fencing is made of galvanised steel tubes. The panels are composed of black spear-top rails and pickets. Typically, type 1 security fencing is 2.1m in height and is mainly used in areas where the boundary line is accessible from a road, footpath, and other public spaces.
Type 2 security fencing
This type of security fencing is made from chain-link manufactured from hot-rolled carbon steel rods in accordance with Australian Standard AS1441. This galvanised steel wire has a diameter of 3.15mm and a 50mm pitch that meets Australian Standards AS 1725 and AS 2423. The rail of the chain link fabric is topped with barbed selvedge; the bottom part is fitted with knuckled selvedge.
Type 2 security fencing has posts and rails made of AS1163 and AS1725.1 compliant galvanised steel pipe with a minimum height requirement of 2.1m and is predominantly used in areas of the school that shares a boundary line with another property. Applying a metal coating during production according to AS2423 standards protects the security fence against corrosion.
Type 3 security fencing
This fencing type is constructed from welded wire mesh, is 2,100mm to 2,400mm in height and is used mainly for areas that the public does not usually see. Examples of these places are agricultural, sporting locations and rural areas, and those near creeks.
Security level
The job of a security fence is to keep intruders out. To be able to do this properly, a fence should be sturdy enough, with a superior anti-penetration and anti-climb profile to make it very difficult to climb the fence. In addition, its tamper proof properties make it difficult to remove or cut through the panels using regular tools.
Clear visibility
A good security fence should be easy to look outside or inside (depending on the situation). This will come in handy, especially if intruders are trying to get in (or out) of the property. Look for an open mesh security fence with an anti-climb profile to ensure clear visibility.
When building the fence, make sure that the area around the fence has no bushes or shrubs where intruders or escapees can hide. Resourceful offenders might use trees with branches that extend towards the fence to climb the fence. So, trim the trees if they cannot be cut completely.
Good lighting
A fence that has no sufficient lighting can invite burglars to try to scale or cut through it. Therefore, ensure that the area around the security fence is well lit.
Reinforced fence toppers
If a regular barbed wire does not make the cut (literally and figuratively), bring fence toppers up another level. Razor wire is more of a deterrent than regular barbed wire, and it is much more dangerous. Add at least 3 strands of razor wire at a 45-degree angle that protrude toward the outside of the fence. Even hard-core crooks will think twice about attempting to climb over a fence this intimidating.
Better access control
Controlled access completes a strong, formidable security fence. Controlled entry points help keep track of who comes in and goes out of the property at any time of the day. CCTV cameras and a biometric system record these movements if the need for review arises.
A lower rail
Add a bottom rail that is secured in the centre of the two-line post. This will basically avoid or minimise the possibility of forcing or rolling the mesh up to crawl under the fence.
Coloured chain wire
Clear visibility is essential for security fencing, as this allows security personnel to monitor what is taking place inside or outside the property more efficiently. Coating the chain wire with coloured polymer enhances visibility, especially at night. This also provides greater corrosion resistance, especially if the property is located along or near the coast. Burying the chain wire by at least 30cm will also prevent people from forcing the mesh up to get through.
Two rows of security fencing
Doubling up security is not uncommon, especially to high-security facilities such as maximum-security prisons and reserve banks. They usually add a second line of internal fencing 3-6m inside the perimeter fence. In most cases, these double row fences are equipped with detectors and sensors or have a perimeter patrol road in between the fencing.
Let Chainwire Fencing Specialist build your fence
Whether you are looking to build a high-security fence or a simple one in your backyard, Chainwire Fencing Specialist is your go-to team in Newcastle and the Hunter. We have carefully built a steady clientele over the years and are now among the leading fencing specialists in NSW. Give us a call on (02) 4023 5416 to learn more about our services, or fill out this click here to send us an online message and we’ll get back to you asap.