02/03/2026
What you must know about "FENCES"
Structural Barriers are man-made, an artificially constructed barrier.
Fences serves as the main structural barrier which are independent structures, generally in a vertical plane, designed for the physical and/or visual control of access to external areas.
Generally, fences define the area they protect. It reduces the number of guards required and facilitate the tasks of the patrol team. It causes delay in case of an intent to pe*****te.
Although they don't deny the access in themselves, they are a psychological obstacle to a possible intruder. They also deny accidental access to innocent persons to the protected area. It helps control the flow of vehicles towards those entrances controlled by guards.
Now there are 2 types of fences, Solid and Full-View.
First, solid fences are used to deny visual and physical access to non-authorized persons.
The materials normally used are bricks, concrete, wooden boards, stone, etc.
Second, Full View Fences or Complete Vision Fences are built in such manner that they allow visual observation through the entire fence. It is designed only for the control of physical access between two areas.
In regards to Solid Fences, advantages in using it are as follows:
- It is useful when one wishes to hide certain activities within the installation;
- It avoids the possibility of passing small items through the fence;
- It could be built in such manner that it would be difficult to cross without being detected; and
- They are built of stone, brick and concrete and extends below the ground, making it difficult to pe*****te below.
The disadvantages are:
- It is difficult to illuminate the zone around the installation because of the shadow caused by the fence;
- It does not allow patrols within the installations to observe activities outside the perimeter; and
- Installations that uses it requires to have guards in towers which confines them in a very limited area. As such, inattention may happen due to immobility of the guard.
In regards to Full View Fence, advantages are:
- It allows the effective use of illumination since it does not cast shadows; and
- It allows the effective use of guards, since they could keep the installation's surrounding area in watch.
The disadvantages are:
- It allows possible intruder to observe the installation from outside the perimeter; and
- Intruders may know the installation's pattern of internal security guards through observation.
There are three (3) ways of passing the fences:
1. On top: Most fences are not high and are easy to climb.
2. Through the material: (If it is not a solid fence). Many fences are built in such manner that it is easy to break or separate them in such manner that it will allow the enemy's access without leaving evidence that there was a pe*******on.
3. Below: If the fence is solid and very high, digging and penetrating below is possible.
Therefore, if you're gonna construct a FENCE, the ideal characteristics are:
- It must be eight (8) feet as minimum height; 8 feet minimum with top guard (6 feet plus 2 ft top guard);
- It must be extended below the ground level; If not extended, minimum space between fence and ground is 2 inches;
- If support post is wood, it must be the best quality wood and measure at least 4 inches wide;
- If support post is metal, it must be at least 2 inches in diameter;
- Support posts must be placed over concrete or firm ground at a depth of 3 feet.
For more protection, the following should be considered:
A. All fences should have a top guard;
B. For Complete Vision Fences: Top guard/barbed wires are placed in metal arms that extend outward at a 45-degree angle;
C. Arms must be 2 feet long with 3-4 rows of barbed wires spaced 6 inches apart; and
D. The Top Guard you placed may also be in "V" shape. You can also use Concertina/Razor wires.
E. For Solid Fences, the same system as Complete Vision Fence may be used; and
F. Sharp metal bars and/or Broken Glasses may also be used as an alternative Top Guard.
The Top Guard does not completely prevent illegal entry but delays and sets as another obstacle for the intruder to pass through.
The number of gates in a fence must be limited to the minimum necessary for the efficient and safe operation of an installation. When locked, the gates must provide the same level of security that the fence itself provides.
When there is considerable traffic on foot and vehicle, it is preferable to provide separate gates for each type.
You must also check the "Clear Zones"
Clear zone is the external or internal perimeter of the installation which is free from obstacles, structures and vegetation.
The ideal characteristics of the Clear Zone:
- The external perimeter of the installation must have a minimum of 20 feet;
- The internal perimeter of the installation must have a minimum of 50 feet;
- It must remain free of vegetation, structures, trash or anything that could be a hiding place; and
- There should be no trees near the fence.
It is important to keep the grass mowed around the cleared zone so that there will be no possible hiding place for the enemy. Do not use the cleared zone as a storage area. If you do not have an adequate cleared zone, you must increase the height of the fence.
If a fence is used to protect a large area, if possible, build a perimeter road that allows the car patrols and the quick delivery of reinforcements to any point of the fence.
