Rutkoski Fencing Inc.

High-security fencing options are leveraged for a variety of structures and grounds ranging from government-run to commercially owned. Given the many different uses for and types of high-security fences, it can be challenging to identify a system that best fits your unique setting and requirements. Building a perimeter structure designed to protect people, property and intellectual assets starts with understanding the many considerations surrounding high-security fencing. Let’s explore some of these areas to form a clearer picture and smarter approach.

When High-Security is a High Priority

High-security fencing is often the first line of defense against outside threats, theft, vandalism and unwanted access to specific areas. It’s essential to assuring the safety of workers and visitors around the property, and of the general public. It can be a major contributor to protecting internal assets, safeguarding infrastructure and services, and mitigating security vulnerabilities.

Some of the threats facing certain government and commercial properties require heightened security measures and an elevated level of protection beyond what traditional fencing options might provide. It’s important to keep these security needs in mind when selecting fencing to both serve as a visual deterrent and help thwart breaches. High-security fencing is typically designed with the kinds of materials, systems and features that impede or eliminate the possibility of intruders climbing, scaling, breaking, penetrating or otherwise damaging the structure to gain unauthorized access.

Some of the most common applications for high-security fencing include military bases and offices, airports, power and chemical plants, correctional facilities, schools, municipal buildings and utility substations. These types of buildings and properties require fencing designs and installations that take security seriously.

Top Choices for High-Security Fencing

Not all security fencing types and materials are created equal, so when you’re seeking to fortify high-risk targets, you want to opt for systems that are durable, difficult or impossible to climb and penetrate, effective against environmental forces and applicable to your specific security needs. There are simply some fencing options that have a higher degree of security and suitability for the job than others.

While chain link is a popular type of fencing system, it’s not always optimal for high-security needs. Following are three of the most highly recommended choices for high-security fencing in a range of commercial, government and critical infrastructure applications.

• Security Mesh Panel Fencing: Mesh panel fencing is a particularly ideal option for high-security applications. AMICO®, the world’s largest producer of meshes for security, offers the AMIGUARD® 7000 High Security Expanded Steel Mesh. This product goes through a process of slitting and stretching a metal sheet to form the desired style. It has strands and intersecting strands called bonds forming a sharp angle to the original plane of the solid sheet, which creates a unique pattern and allows a single sheet of metal to be processed into several sheets of High Security Mesh Panels. These panels are well suited for ensuring critical protection in a high-security setting.
• Palisade Fencing: Constructed from hot and cold rolled steel sections, palisade fencing consists of vertical pales (sometimes with pointed spikes at the top) secured to horizontal rails and mounted to support posts. This system is strong, versatile, resistant to cutting, lacking the footholds needed for climbing and particularly intimidating in terms of standing as a visual deterrent.
• Concrete Fencing: Precast concrete walls are engineered systems often leveraged in cases where protection against ballistics and projectiles is necessary. With concrete panels set between drilled foundations, they are nearly impossible to scale, can withstand winds of hurricane proportions and have the added benefit of sound reduction.

These types of high-security fencing can be fortified with options like height specifications, lighting and surveillance, omitted top rails, anchored bottom rails, double fencing rows and elements such as barbed wire, barbed tape or concertina wire.

In addition, many commercial and government entities requiring high-security fencing optimize their systems with the use of access control systems and automated gates. Whether you’re contending with vehicular or human traffic, gates and access controls help manage and secure the property. Today’s gated access control systems are powered by internet connections or cellular networks, leveraging keycards, pin codes, biometrics or scanners for entry. Advanced technology enables added high-security features like built-in cameras for recording or capturing photos, streaming video of entry and exit points, transaction records of gate activity, video and IP intercom systems and remote control from a web or mobile application.

Considerations for Fencing Installation

As you plan for the installation of a high-security fencing system on your property, there are some fundamental considerations to keep in mind. Check out the questions below to help shape the planning and decision-making outcomes for your high-security fencing:

• Where will your building or property require visibility or necessary vantage points?
• Is there a need or desire for the high-security fencing to blend in with its surroundings or have a particular visual appeal?
• What are the local site conditions, including aspects like wind and geotechnical influences?
• What is the total physical scale of the property and extent of daily traffic?
• Does your perimeter structure need to be able to resist vehicular impact?
• How many access points are required, and where do you anticipate their placement?
• Will there be a need for ground shock-resistant embankment structures?
• Are there site grading concerns that necessitate efforts to deal with unevenness or sloping?
• What lighting issues, if any, will need to be addressed?
• What height specifications meet your security needs, and what local permitting actions are required to comply with height restrictions?

These are just some examples of the types of considerations that make the design and installation of high-security fencing a complex undertaking. Given these questions, as well as the need for an installation process that is both smooth and safe, it’s critical to partner with a professional company experienced in a variety of installation procedures and construction methods.

With the right partnership, you have the advantage of expert recommendations on specific system applications, site grading concerns, creative solutions and the best methods to employ based on an evaluation of site-specific details. You also have peace of mind knowing the job is being handled in accordance with proper standards for job site hazard analysis, safety training, equipment certifications, preventative maintenance and OSHA compliance.