Introduction
In a recent blog post on perimeter security, we touched on security fencing and the advanced technological intruder detection functions that can be incorporated into it. Now it is time to focus the discussion and take a look at the different aspects and types of security fencing available and how they can enhance the way security guards operate.
Many businesses will not have the budget to go all in on the latest perimeter protection technology. We intend to show how, without breaking the bank but with careful planning and consideration, a blend of physical security and guarding can deter intruders and assist the security officers guarding your premises to increase efficiency and effectiveness
We often talk about layered security with perimeter security comprising the outer and arguably most important. Almost no fencing system is 100% infallible, but the right choices can make life a lot harder for criminals and a lot easier for your security guards.
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Security Fencing Considerations
At a basic level, if your perimeter fence is relatively easy to cut, climb, or tunnel under, perhaps it is time to upgrade the measures you have in place by examining how effective your perimeter fence is and how it impacts your security guards.
As security fencing is your first line of defence, investing in a physical barrier that deters opportunistic thieves from attempting to enter and delays determined ones is an effective approach. There are 2 main types of security fencing and broken down to a basic level, they are:
- Fencing that obstructs direct viewing inside the perimeter (opaque)
- Fencing that can be seen through (transparent)
The choice between fencing that can be seen through and fencing that blocks viewing depends on the specific security needs of the protected premises. Each type has its own merits depending on purpose.
Transparent fencing is ideal for areas where visibility, airflow, and cost-effectiveness are priorities, such as parks, schools, and sports facilities.
On the other hand, opaque fencing is better suited for properties where privacy, noise reduction, and enhanced security are more important, such as homes or high-security facilities like warehousing and distribution sites, military bases and energy production facilities.
Security Fencing Comparison Table
| Feature | Transparent Fencing | Opaque Fencing |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | High (allows clear view for security guard monitoring) | None (blocks view completely) |
| Privacy | Low | High |
| Security | Good (allows monitoring by security guards) | Excellent (physical barrier) |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Modern, open feel | Customisable, traditional or modern |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate to high |
| Durability | High (depending on material) | High (depending on material) |
| Noise Reduction | Low | High |
| Airflow and Light | Allows airflow and light | Blocks airflow and light |
The main types of security fencing
1. Chain Link Fencing
A cost-effective and versatile option, chain link fencing is constructed from galvanised steel wires woven into a diamond pattern. Security levels can be boosted by setting the fence in a concrete footing to prevent tunnelling, reducing the size of the diamond pattern so it does not offer a foothold, and topping it with barbed wire or razor coils Its transparency allows guards to monitor activities beyond the fence.
Best for: residential areas, industrial sites, and schools.
2. Anti-Climb Paladin Fencing
Featuring tightly spaced vertical bars with curved or angled tops, Paladin fencing is designed to put people off from attempting to climb. Its robust steel construction makes it difficult to cut or climb making it ideal for high-security environments.
Best for: prisons, airports, and critical infrastructure.
3. Welded Mesh Fencing
Stronger than chain link, welded mesh fencing uses closely set rigid steel grids that resist cutting or bending. This fencing helps to funnel entry to a monitored entranceway. It’s often paired with smart access control systems for enhanced security and even automation.
Best for: Milimilitaryes and secure commercial compounds.
4. Electric Fencing with Touch Sensors
A cutting-edge solution, electric fencing delivers a non-lethal shock to intruders upon contact. Advanced systems include touch sensors that trigger alarms or increase voltage when tampered with. These can integrate with security software to alert guards in real-time.
Best for: high-value assets, data centres, and remote facilities.
5. Razor Wire and Barbed Wire
These are often added to existing fences, meaning that fence security levels are boosted without a large capital outlay. The sharp edges act as a psychological and physical deterrent, discouraging unauthorised access. Regulations governing the minimum height for installation vary according to jurisdiction
Best for: border security, prisons, and industrial zones.
Choosing the Right Fencing for Your Needs
Selecting fencing depends on factors such as:
- Risk level: High-threat sites may need electric or anti-climb fencing or a combination of the two.
- Budget: Chain link is affordable but less secure; welded mesh offers more durable construction at a higher cost.
- Aesthetics: Ornamental fencing suits heritage sites, while Paladin fencing prioritises function over form.
Why not consult a security professional to discuss aligning fencing choices with manned guarding strategies?
How Security Guarding Can Benefit from Security Fencing
While security fencing forms a critical physical barrier, manned guarding adds a human layer of interpretation and response. Together, they create a synergy that maximises protection. Here’s how:
1. Defined Boundaries Help Improve Focus
Security fencing establishes a clear perimeter, allowing guards to concentrate on monitoring access points (e.g., gates, doors, and barriers) rather than patrolling vast, open areas. This reduces the distances that security guards need to cover to ensure a perimeter is adequately monitored and protected.
2. Early Threat Detection
Advanced fencing systems, such as electric fences with touch sensors or motion-activated cameras, send instant alerts to guards when breached. This enables rapid response—often intercepting potential criminal activity before it becomes a security breach.
3. Deterrence Reduces Incident Frequency
High-security fencing (e.g., razor wire or electric barriers) acts as a deterrent by discouraging potential intruders. Criminals realise that security levels are high and move on to find an easier target. Fewer breaches mean guards can prioritise proactive monitoring rather than reacting to constant threats.
4. Enhanced Guard Safety
Fencing acts as a buffer between guards and potential threats. For example, an intruder delayed by an electric fence gives guards time to assess the situation and call for backup, minimising potential confrontations.
5. Streamlined Patrols
With fencing channelling movement towards designated entry points, guards can follow more structured patrol routes. This eliminates blind spots and ensures efficient use of resources.
6. Integration with Technology
Modern fencing systems often integrate with CCTV, alarms, and communication devices. Guards can monitor feeds remotely, respond to sensor-triggered alerts, and coordinate with off-site teams—all while reducing the need for constant foot patrols.
7. Cost Efficiency
A well-designed fence reduces the number of guards required to secure a site. For instance, a facility with anti-climb fencing and automated alarms might deploy guards only at key checkpoints, ensuring that capital outlay on fencing begins to repay itself by reducing security staffing costs.
Case Study: Layered Defence in Action
Imagine a logistics warehouse protected by electric fencing with touch sensors. When an intruder attempts to climb or cut the fence, the system triggers an alarm and sends an alert to onsite security guards. CCTV cameras pan to the breach location, providing live footage to the security team. Guards arrive within minutes and interrupt or catch the intruder before they can access the premises.
This example highlights how fencing and manned guarding work in tandem: the fence delays and detects, while guards respond and resolve.
Security Fence Electrification
Electrified security fencing is a highly effective deterrent and detection system. It involves either applying an electric current to the fence, which delivers a non-lethal shock to anyone attempting to touch, climb, or cut it or providing power for security technology like sensors and surveillance equipment. The method of electrification depends on the specific needs of the property, such as power availability, location, and security requirements.
Whether powered by mains electricity, batteries, or solar energy, electrified fencing provides a strong deterrent against intruders while integrating seamlessly with manned security guarding. Below are the methods available for electrifying security fencing, along with some brief technical details, advantages, and applications.
1. Mains-Powered Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- The fence is connected to a mains-powered energizer (also called a fence charger or controller).
- The energiser converts mains electricity (AC) into high-voltage, low-current pulses (typically 5,000–10,000 volts) and sends them through the fence wires.
- The pulses are short and intermittent (e.g., one pulse per second) to ensure safety.
Components:
- Energiser: Converts AC power to high-voltage pulses.
- Fence Wires: Conduct the electric pulses.
- Earth Grounding System: Completes the circuit when an intruder touches the fence.
- Lightning Arrestor: Protects the system from lightning damage.
Advantages:
- Reliable and consistent power supply.
- Suitable for permanent installations.
- Can power long fence lines with multiple strands.
Applications:
- High-security facilities (e.g., prisons, military bases).
- Industrial sites and warehouses.
- Energy production infrastructure
2. Battery-Powered Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- A battery-powered energiser is used to generate high-voltage pulses.
- The battery is typically rechargeable (e.g., 12V lead-acid or lithium-ion).
- Solar panels can be integrated to keep the battery charged and provide economical self-powered security.
Components:
- Battery: Provides DC power to the energiser.
- Energiser: Converts DC power to high-voltage pulses.
- Solar Panel (Optional): Charges the battery during daylight.
Advantages:
- Portable and easy to install in remote locations.
- No reliance on mains electricity.
- Environmentally friendly when paired with solar panels.
Applications:
- Agricultural fencing (e.g., livestock containment).
- Remote or off-grid properties.
3. Solar-Powered Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- Combines a solar panel, battery, and energiser to create a self-sustaining system.
- The solar panel charges the battery during the day, and the battery powers the energiser at night or during cloudy weather.
Components:
- Solar Panel: Converts sunlight into electrical energy.
- Battery: Stores energy for continuous operation.
- Energiser: Converts stored energy into high-voltage pulses.
Advantages:
- Fully independent of mains power.
- Environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long term.
- Ideal for remote or rural areas.
Applications:
- Wildlife reserves and national parks.
- Farms and remote country estates.
- Remote construction sites.
4. Pulse-Based Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- Delivers short, high-voltage pulses instead of a continuous current.
- The pulses are designed to be non-lethal but highly deterrent.
Advantages:
- Safer for humans and animals.
- Low power consumption.
- Effective at deterring intruders without causing harm.
Applications:
- Residential properties.
- Farming livestock and agricultural fencing.
5. Multi-Wire Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- Uses multiple strands of electrified wires at different heights.
- The wires are connected to the same energiser or separate energisers for redundancy.
Advantages:
- Provides layered security (e.g., one wire at ground level to deter crawling, another at chest height to deter climbing).
- Highly effective against both humans and animals.
Applications:
- High-security perimeters (e.g., prisons, military installations).
- Building sites and infrastructure projects.
6. Electric Mesh Fencing
How It Works:
- Consists of a grid of horizontal and vertical wires, all electrified.
- The close mesh design makes it difficult to cut or climb without touching multiple wires.
Advantages:
- High level of security due to the dense grid.
- Effective for containing small animals or deterring intruders.
Applications:
- Poultry farms and small animal enclosures.
- Residential and commercial properties.
7. Electric Fence Alarm Systems
How It Works:
- Combines electrification with intrusion detection.
- When the fence is touched or cut, the system triggers an alarm (e.g., audible siren, SMS alert, or integration with CCTV).
Advantages:
- Adds an extra layer of security by alerting property owners or security personnel.
- Can be integrated with other security systems.
Applications:
- High-security facilities.
- Residential properties with advanced security needs.
8. Electric Fence Monitoring Systems
How It Works:
- Monitors the electrical integrity of the fence (e.g., voltage levels, shorts, or breaks).
- Alerts operators if the fence is tampered with or loses power.
Advantages:
- Ensures the fence is always operational.
- Reduces maintenance costs by identifying issues early.
Applications:
- Large industrial sites.
- Critical infrastructure (e.g., power plants, data centers).
9. Non-Lethal Electric Fencing
How It Works:
- Uses low-current, high-voltage pulses that are painful but not harmful.
- Designed to comply with safety regulations and avoid causing serious injury.
Advantages:
- Safe for use in public or residential areas.
- Effective deterrent without legal or ethical concerns.
Applications:
- Schools and public facilities.
- Residential properties.
10. Electric Fence with Integrated Sensors
How It Works:
- Combines electrification with touch sensing or vibration detection technology.
- Detects and locates intrusions while delivering an electric shock.
Advantages:
- Provides real-time alerts and precise location data.
- Enhances overall security by combining physical and electronic deterrents.
Applications:
- High-security perimeters (e.g., military bases, airports).
- Critical infrastructure protection.
Key Considerations for Electrified Fencing:
1, Safety
- Ensure compliance with local regulations regarding voltage levels and warning signs.
- Use non-lethal pulses to avoid serious injury.
2. Grounding:
- Proper grounding is essential for the system to work effectively.
- Use multiple ground rods in dry or rocky soil.
3. Maintenance:
- Regularly check for vegetation touching the fence, which can reduce effectiveness.
- Inspect wires, energisers, and connections for damage.
4. Deterrent Signage:
- Clearly mark the fence as electrified to deter intruders and prevent accidental contact.
Conclusion
Security fencing and manned guarding are not standalone solutions but with careful consideration and planning, they complement each other. Security fencing provides the physical backbone of perimeter security, whilst guards bring adaptability, rapid response, and human intuition. Together, they create a security system that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Many commercial and residential perimeter fence systems in use today would not pass the test of a determined attempt to breach them. Given that a perimeter is the first layer of an effective security strategy, raising the profile of effective security fencing and advising businesses on how to implement it is increasingly important as crime continues to rise and become more sophisticated.
For businesses and organisations in the UK and across Europe, investing in this dual approach ensures robust protection against evolving threats related to geopolitical tensions, migration and rising crime.
Need advice on securing your property? Contact a trusted security provider to design a tailored solution combining cutting-edge fencing with expert security guarding.
