Cash in on fencing

If your company has stuck strictly to electronic security systems in the past, it may make sense to include fencing in the services you offer to clients in the future. The installation of perimeter fences is now good business and profitable too – if it’s done right.

If it’s done badly it is often costly to both the client and the installer, as mistakes are put right or redress is sought through the courts.

Encouraging the former and preventing the latter is one of the main objectives of the European Fencing Industry Association.

If you are looking to expand your business in fencing, the EFIA offers advice and practical help to allow you to do so.

Perimeter defence has always been an important part of the security armoury, but in the current global climate it is becoming ever more relied-upon.

For the security planner at any high-risk site, such as locations vulnerable to terrorism, the construction of effective perimeter barriers is now a top priority.

The objective at these sites is to create distance between the potential threat – the bomber or raider – and his target.

Buildings can be strengthened against blasts, but the creation of distance is a key factor in reducing the amount of damage done by an explosion.

The high security perimeter fulfils a number of key objectives: it provides a physical barrier that keeps potential attackers away from the premises, gives time for the threat to be detected, and provides breathing space for a response.

Today the most sophisticated, electronic systems – a number of which are available on the market and supplied by EFIA members – will detect, and respond themselves (the response being in the form of a powerful but non-lethal electric shock).

Other fencing products tie in perfectly with the technology that most security installers already offer: detectors, alarms, CCTV, recorded warning systems etc. But effective perimeter fencing is not just for government installations, utilities and high-risk sites. It is also increasingly relevant at medium and lower threat premises.

Avoiding common mistakes

At these sites it provides a deterrent to opportunist criminals and makes life harder for them. A well-designed, well-constructed and well-installed fence may harden the target just sufficiently to send the attacker elsewhere.

If that fails, the next best option may be to upgrade the fence with the addition of higher security toppings, detectors and impulse wires.

Each stage of the installation requires specific skills and knowledge, which installation engineers must be fully trained in if the completed system is to do its job, and be durable. It’s easy to put up a fence badly and to cut corners, but it is likely that the fence won’t do the job and it won’t last.

For example, it’s common to find ‘amateur’ installers using insufficient or no concrete surrounds to posts supporting 1.5m or higher solid fences e.g. closeboard fences.

Others, to save on materials costs, may be tempted to use fittings that are not adequately weather protected (e.g. hot dip galvanised). The problem for inexperienced installers and their customers is that such products may not look all that different to those produced in strict compliance with British Standards.

It’s only when the fence starts to fail a few months down the line that the use of inferior materials becomes obvious. Even high quality BS-compliant fencing products will be attacked by the harsher environmental conditions found in some locations (near the coast, for example, where salt sea-spray may be carried inland by prevailing winds; or at sites where corrosive chemicals may come into contact with the fence). Therefore it’s important for both the installer and the customer to know what the endurance limits and the lifespan of their fence will be. Maintenance is another important consideration.

As a rule, the tougher the environment the more important ongoing remedial checks become to maximise the life of the fence. The old saying holds true in this regard: a stitch in time saves nine.

Fences frequently take a battering from vehicles – particularly near to gates and entrances – and repairing such local damage early can be important to maintain the security integrity of the whole perimeter.

To avoid running into problems – either from deliberate corner-cutting or innocent miscommunication – the best protection for both client and installer is to comply with good practice (preferably to BS 1722). It’s also desirable to follow a detailed specification prepared by someone who knows what he or she is doing.

This is a lesson which is well known among specialist consultants and is something that we are working to communicate to non-specialist buyers such as facilities managers.

One of the EFIA’s key roles since 1983 has been to spread information about best practice in fencing installation, and to raise standards in the sector.

The association prides itself as being a technical employer association, having competent manufacturers and installers as members who wish to promote themselves to local and national government departments as well as major contractors and public utility companies.

Best practice for fencing installers

Based on working with contractors and customers of all sizes, our best advice for installers can be summed up in the following points (which, incidentally, form part of the Code of Practice to which all EFIA members adhere):

Comply with the law – believe it or not, there are plenty of cowboys out there and if you are operating in the security fencing sector, you can’t afford to be among them if you want to build a sustainable business.

• Work in a competent and responsible manner in accordance with the requirements of the joint FISS/CSCS scheme (i.e. Fencing Industry Skills and Construction Skills Certificate Schemes).
• Give particular regard to matters of health and safety and current statutory requirements and have a written health & safety statement.
• Provide clients with clear, detailed specification about the services and products offered, and similar guarantees of workmanship as provided under the Government’s Quality Mark and the new Quality Fencing Assurance Schemes [the latter to be launched in September].
• Provide clients with clear written information of the price for the work to be undertaken and the method of payment.
• Provide clients with a clear written timetable for the works and where practicable, a date for completion.
• Act in a courteous manner and respect a client’s privacy and property.
• Maintain skills and knowledge of building practices appropriate to the services offered.
• Be responsible for the actions of subcontractors, advisers and agents, taking all reasonable measures to ensure that work is only sub-let to those who meet the standards of the Schemes
• Seek to ensure client satisfaction through the provision of a clear written method for handling customer complaints.

Finally, for any fencing system installer who hasn’t already got ISO9001:2000 accreditation, and finds this an obstacle to winning contracts from major clients, the EFIA will encourage and help them to achieve it through a well-documented, manageable programme specifically designed for the fence installer.

The Association is totally com-mitted to quality assurance and strongly promotes this concept to its membership through its ISO9001: 2000 Group Scheme.

This was introduced since it became apparent that while the standard is a powerful tool for any firm to use if it is to operate as a quality organisation [and to be recognised as such] the cost of individual registration with a recognised certificating body i.e. one accredited by UKAS, is a significant financial investment.

Under normal circumstances, this cannot be afforded by many smaller organisations within the industry. The Association is certificated by European Quality Assurance [EQA], which is UKAS accredited, and already has several firms engaged in the building and civil engineering industries as customers.

EFIA can arrange to certificate fence installers under the Government’s Quality Mark – a scheme that is aimed at the domestic market for the purpose of identifying the expert from the ‘cowboy’.

Keeping up with legislation

Acting as the Secretariat to the British Standards Institute on all matters relating to fencing and gates (mainly covered in BS 1722 and associated EU standards including EN12839 that covers the production of concrete posts), EFIA monitors both the best interests of installer and client alike.

It constantly relates to all parties in the industry and as necessary, updates BS 1722 to meet new and emerging production methods and techniques.

In its extensive database, EFIA can usually answer any query relating to fencing and/or the management of any fencing business but in any event, if it does know the answer, EFIA knows where it can be found.

With the EU constantly pumping out changes and demands on all businesses, nowadays it takes an organisation like EFIA to keep a fence business on the right side of the law.

• To find out more about opportunities in the fencing sector visit the EFIA website: http://efia.fences.org

And check out the products of leading companies in the sector, featured in these pages.

Formidable deterrent

For frontline perimeter and external applications, Harper Chalice provides a range of solutions.

The latest zone-configurable, fully monitored version of the PulseSecure system is a formidable deterrent at any boundary, delivered through its ability to ‘hit back’ at attackers and it also has ‘ultra-reliable’ detection capability.

Attack-proof detection on the impulse wires makes it impossible for intruders to displace wires or break through the PulseSecure undetected. Equally, false alarms are rare.

The latest generation PulseSecure can seamlessly link up with other elements of any security system for total integration.

Also, a high security seismic analyser system, developed for use on fences, walls and rooftops, provides early detection of intrusion attempts.

At IFSEC, Harper Chalice showcased a multiplexed PulseSecure/ Fence-Secure control and monitoring system for detection zones.

Inputs from other types of detection devices can also be incorporated, together with customised outputs for interfacing with CCTV. The system is self-contained and operated by LCD keypads, and it can be connected to a PC for control and graphic displays of the system and alarms.

Also on display at IFSEC was a new MultiBeam active infrared barrier system and a range of infrared beams, including the ATS high security Fence and Topping system.

Reader Service No 123

Very unpleasant shock

Electro-Fence from Advanced Perimeter Systems is a powerful intruder deterrent, which can be attached to an existing perimeter fence or used as a standalone fence.

The obvious physical presence of the fence and bright yellow warning signs are visually off-putting to any potential intruder and present a potent frontline deterrent.

Any attempt to cut or climb the Electro-Fence is met with a non-lethal but very unpleasant shock and attempts to short circuit, reduce the voltage or breach the fence in any way generates an immediate alarm.

High tensile wires, spaced at a distance 95mm apart, carry a high voltage pulse down alternate wires every second. The wires alternate between live and earth, and a controller continuously monitors Electro-Fence for different types of attack, generating an alarm when pre-programmed conditions are met.

Reader Service No 124