Home Perimeter Security: Your First Line of Defence

Perimeter security is your first line of defence.

Perimeter security is your first line of defence, it should be your first warning mechanism, stopping the intruder before they get inside your home.

Home Perimeter Security Options

• Electric fencing
• Electric palisade fencing
• Spiking
• Rotating spikes
• Barbed wire
• High walls with lighting
• High-tech fibre-optic detection systems

Linking the above deterrents to your house alarm gives live 24-hour protection enabling instant armed response. The perimeter security industry is extensive. So be informed. Nicky Taylor, marketing support practitioner for Betafence, outlines some important facts to note.

Demarcation: Fences in the demarcation category indicate a boundary. It shows the public where your property begins or where an area ends.

Dissuasion: Fences in the dissuasion category prevent the intentional trespasser from crossing your boundary. They have a dissuasive effect. Dissuasive fences form a physical obstacle, indicating that entry is reserved to authorised persons only.

Delay: Fences in the delay category hinder entry and are considered security fencing. Delay is defined as the time the fence resists unauthorised entry. The required delay time is very much related to the security response time. Tests by police departments have shown that the delay factor of high security fences must be over forty times greater than other systems.

Detection, access control and deterrence: Detection systems must trace any form of unwanted breach of the fence within the delay period. Additional electric components such as an acoustic alarm, security lighting and camera surveillance also have a deterrent effect.

Design: A fence should be an architectural extension of your home and not an eyesore. It must however promote clear surveillance so as not to provide any hiding places for criminals. Ensure that there are no holes or gaps under the fence line which can become a weak point later on. Think "over, under and through" when assembling a fence, this way you can identify the vulnerable points.

Beware The Pitfalls

Price: "It is a competitive market, so you can find a good quality product at the right price," says Taylor. "Remember it is an investment, so if you pay more In the beginning for a better product, you are likely to spend less in the long run on repairs and maintenance, thereby saving yourself money and a lot of effort."

DIY option: Ask for at least three quotes and compare specifications very carefully to ensure that you have the ideal system.

Alternately, if your home is being designed by an architect, ensure he is aware of your needs right from the beginning to allow him to design and draw up the right specification for your perimeter fencing. Certain fencing manufacturers specialise in working closely with architects ensuring that the form and function of perimeter design are met.

Installation:Be sure to ask the supplier if they have an installer network that they can refer you to.

This will mean that the installers have been trained in the installation of the fence system and you are ensured of a hassle-free installation!

Workmanship: This is often overlooked, but is crucial to the overall aesthetics and finished product. Ask if the contractor has any certification. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) is the benchmark for verifying the standard of contractors in South Africa.