If you’re considering a security fence for your residential or commercial property, there are various factors to consider. At Pittsburgh Fence Company, we’ve put together a guide to security fences to help you know what key elements to look for.
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The height of the security fence is one of the main elements that set it apart from other fence types. Typically, a security fence will be a minimum of 6 feet tall. In most cases, you can expect a security fence to be close to eight or ten feet tall.
Compared to regular residential fencing, fencing for security is heavier because it is designed for security and exclusion. On the other hand, residential fences are made from lighter materials such as wood or vinyl, which can offer demarcation and privacy but does little for security.
When looking at security fencing specifications, check diameters and wall thicknesses. If they appear to be lightweight, check whether the fence is for a commercial or industrial specification.
While creating the specification for your security fence, don’t overlook what is going on above and below the fence. For instance, if your fence is made of materials that can be climbed on or if the fence is located near something like a ladder, then you also need to place security at the top of the fence. This includes features such as:
You also need to consider security measures at the bottom of the fence. The fence could be dug under, or the mesh could be lifted to gain access. You can add bottom rails if the fence is installed over a hard surface or work with your fencing professional to determine what security options there are to prevent people from digging underneath the fence.
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If your commercial or industrial property requires fencing for security, contact Pittsburgh Fence Company today to get started!
Most people do not think much about fences at all. They certainly don’t ponder what the difference between a security fence and the fence around their back yard is, and the truth is, until they’re faced with the task of choosing a fence to secure a commercial, industrial or institutional property, they really have no idea what they are even looking for.
We DO know what the difference between security fences and residential fences, and we are happy to share a few of the key elements you should be looking for here.
Height is one of the first things that set a security fence apart from ordinary demarcation fences. A security fence should be, at a minimum, six foot high. Most security fences are closer to 8 or even ten feet tall, and some sites, like prisons, demand fences that are fourteen feet or even higher.
Residential fences tend to be lighter weight, since they are designed for demarcation and possibly privacy, rather than exclusion or security.
Very often, they are made of wood or vinyl, and even when they are manufactured from steel, the pipe wall thicknesses and mesh wire diameters are much lower. That does make them cheaper, but will not offer much in the way of security.
Play close attention to diameters and wall thicknesses when you are reading a security fence specification, and if something seems lightweight, ask if it is a commercial or industrial specification. Remember that the money you save up front on a lightweight security fence might very well be made up in repairs later on.
Many people focus a lot of time and energy creating a specification for the security fence itself, but they ignore what is happening above and below the fence.
If your fence is made from something that can be climbed (or is located somewhere that a ladder or similar climbing device could be placed alongside it), then it is critical that you consider some sort of fence top security. This could be in the form of spikes, barbed wire, razor coils (where allowed by government), or even electronic monitoring.
The same applies to the bottom of your fence. If the bottom of your mesh can be lifted, or the fence dug under, there is a big hole in your perimeter security. Consider adding a bottom rail to fences that are installed over hard surfaces, or find out about under fence security options to prevent digging.
Another big factor in designing a security fence is to limit access to the site by vehicles. Ordinary chain link and similar fences have posts spaced at up to 10’ centers, and some do not even have concrete footings. A determined person with a moderate to large vehicle could very easily breach this type of fence.
One way to improve the security of your fence is to increase the size of concrete footings and fence posts, and decrease the spacing between posts. If the posts are made of heavy-duty steel, planted in heavy-duty concrete, and it is impossible to fit a vehicle between them, it is a lot harder to gain access to the site. Another option is to choose a crash rated fence. While this won't prevent damage to the fence, it can prevent or at least slow down unauthorized access to sensitive areas.
The truth is that while all of these measures can improve the efficacy of your security fence, there are no fences, walls or even electronic security systems that are completely impervious. You can build them to withstand the average would be intruder, but the very determined would still be able to gain access.
We do recommend, however, that if you do not know where to start designing a security fence, you contact our commercial and industrial sales team, and discuss your requirements. There is a security fence out there that meets your needs.
Are you interested in learning more about 358 Security Fence? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!