Perimeter Security-Your First Line of Defence!
Effective Perimeter Security is One "Essential" Part of a Multi Layered Approach to Protect High Risk Facilities.
Perimeter Security Systems
Today’s ever-growing concern forperimeter security,
especially around high-risk facilities such as prisons, airports, sub stations, water treatment plants, dams, etc., requires a well designed and robust solution. Having an effective perimeter security system will deter all but the most determined intruders.It is essential that you use a qualified
security consultant
to discuss the range of products and applications available, as well as the suitability of your site. Some of the challenges with a perimeter security system are difficult to overcome, such as size (long fence lines), environment (heat, snow, rain, salt air), and without the correct enclosures and equipment, the design will ultimately fail and cause much consternation.Furthermore, because the total cost of a perimeter security system can be significant, more than usual planning and discussion needs to take place prior to deployment, as mistakes or ineffective solutions will cost more and ultimately prove worthless.
One particular area that the
security consultant
can advise on is the civil works for construction of CCTV towers or field communications enclosures as well as underground reticulation of conduits and cabling. These aspects often get neglected and eventually contribute to budget blowouts.Prevent or Detect?
Perimeter security is usually designed for two distinct purposes. In some cases, it is structured to prevent persons from physically entering the facility and in other cases its purpose is to detect that someone is attempting to, or has succeeded in breaching the perimeter line.Both purposes have unique design principles and cost variations, as well as offer advantages and disadvantages over each other and that is why a risk based design approach by independent
security consultants
is a smart move.Electric Fencing.
Electric fencing (or energized pulse) is a very effective deterrent to persons seeking to enter through or climb over a secure fence line. The system consists of a grid of high tensile horizontal wires spaced approximately every 100 mm up the fence on the secure side of the property and if touched the intruder will receive an electric shock of up to 14Kv and the system will trigger an instant alert.
This level of shock, though high in voltage, cannot kill as the energy released is exceptionally low but packs a
huge punch. You can even control the fence voltage (up or down) to suit the risk level of your facility.Most intruders will turn away when they see an electric fence is installed. Particularly when it is reinforced with CCTV and optional, sensors that detect movement along the entire perimeter line.
Many types of facilities utilise electric fences such as prisons, logistics, critical infrastructure, warehouses, cannabis plantations as well as military facilities; or basically any facility that requires a heightened level of security due to the nature of their operations or value of assets.
Electric fences can be integrated into existing security systems and should be designed to provide unique zones that are enunciated on the
security management system,
as opposed to receiving a simple common fence alarm without knowing which part of the perimeter is being attacked.Perimeter Security solutions is one area we strongly recommend using independent
security consultants
to design and specify and oversee testing and final commissioning. This is because so many installations are flawed from the beginning or stop functioning a short time after installation and then sit idle for years.Once the system is installed, it is very difficult and costly to make changes if you haven't really got what you needed. For instance, It is important to install additional monitoring components to ensure the integrity of the fence circuits because in some cases an open circuit is not registered back at the main control panel and the fence is inoperative without anyone knowing.
In other cases, the original fence is not able to take the tension of the electric cables and this only becomes apparent a while after installation when the fence starts to sag or fall inwards because of the tension. This is where a
security consultant
would pick these issues up.Electric Fences Need Regular Testing & Maintenance
Like all Mission Critical systems, they should be tested, commissioned, and certified to Australian standards, codes of practice and especially the manufacturer's own recommendations.It is also vital that you build into your security budget a planned preventative maintenance scheme as electric fences require regular attention and testing by trained and qualified technicians.
Perimeter Disturbance Sensors
Disturbance sensors are used to complement existing security measures and provide an early warning of an attempt to breach
the perimeter. The sensors are secured to the fence (or wall) at regular intervals and connected to a single cable that
can be tied to, or placed in conduit, along the fence line.The sensors detect vibrations that come from the movement created by cutting or "climbing over" and one of the best features is that the location of the breach can be narrowed down to very small zones that enable a response at the correct location without having to search the entire perimeter.
They can also be configured to compensate for all types of environmental and weather conditions and will only send a signal when a pre-defined threshold has been exceeded.
Disturbance Sensors Integrate With CCTV
The perimeter security plan is further enhanced when the sensors are integrated into a CCTV system that can immediately pan, tilt and zoom to the precise location of the attack and relay the live video stream to the security control room or offsite monitoring facility (providing they have video verification systems in place).If there is an onsite control room, the operators will be able to take action immediately after receiving a perimeter alarm and can use the CCTV's features to speak at the intruder.
High Security Buried Cable Solution
Buried cable solutions provide reliable detection where covert perimeter protection is essential. They can detect walking,
running, crawling, and tunneling of intruders to a range of about 3-9m either side of the field of detection.This solution will work under all types of environments such as ground, concrete, asphalt, runways, vegetation, between trees, - even under water, snow and ice.
Buried cable systems are deployed in a wide variety of environments such as prisons, airports, borders, archaeological and military sites as well as VIP residences.
Some of the benefits of using magnetic buried cable are;
- Very low false alarm rate
- Shows intrusion location & direction of movement
- Fully concealed & passive (no electronic components underground)
- Simple and fast to install
- Low maintenance costs
- Able to Distinguish between actual intruders and animals
- Not affected birds, heavy rain, fog, snow, leaves or bits of debris
The system uses two cables (see adjacent image) buried at a depth of approximately 250mm and spaced usually about 1m apart.
One cable acts as the transmitter and the other cable acts as the receiver and an electromagnetic field is created between
the two cables.If the field is disturbed, i.e., by a person moving into or through it, an alarm is triggered at the control panel or security control room.
Prior to deployment it is wise to use a