Adam Christie

Steel mesh manufacturer Zaun has created an innovative high-security weldless mesh panel upgrade to steel palisade fencing. Research and Development Manager Adam Christie has devised an ingenious fastening method to allow installers to fix Zaun’s ArmaWeave fencing panels to existing palisade posts and horizontal rails. So long as the existing palisade posts were installed to British Standard 1722, they are sufficient to support the ArmaWeave upgrade as the wind loading is almost identical. The fixings also use the existing bolt holes in the horizontal rails so all that is needed is to drill six holes in the posts to secure vertical clamping members. Highly Cost Effective The vertical members can be extended to allow for a wide range of toppings, including concertina razor wire and electric fencing. As ArmaWeave is self-raking, it mimics the functionality of palisade – and the panels can be manufactured to match the height of the existing palisade fencing. Christie says: “It’s eco-friendly and highly cost effective as it requires minimal groundworks, no spoilage and no plant to dig holes as it utilizes the existing posts and concrete foundations. We expect this upgrade option to be ideal for all sorts of sensitive sites in the rail, utilities, nuclear, data center and industrial sectors.” Four companies are accredited to install ArmaWeave – Allens Total Perimeter Security, Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing, JB Corrie and Crime & Fire Defense Systems. All have committed to training their site operatives in the installation methods for ArmaWeave developed by Zaun over time to make best use of its unique high-security woven fabric. Traditional Welded Mesh System Zaun established the installer scheme after increasing requests from customers to recommend contractors with suitable installation, quality and safety standards. ArmaWeave is produced on the world’s largest steel loom at Zaun’s West Midlands manufacturing base.  It has unique properties that give it distinct advantages against more traditional welded mesh systems, such as panels that can be raked to accommodate slopes.  Therefore, installers require the necessary skill sets to set this up. The wire of the panels has a tensile strength typically more than double welded panels so special methods are needed for cutting the panels during installation.

Two pioneers of perimeter protection, Rosehill Security and Zaun Limited, have joined forces to launch the latest in mobile hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM). The technology companies have combined the ultimate in rubber HVM barriers with fence panels developed for the London 2012 Olympics, to produce a crash-rated fencing and barrier system that can be deployed rapidly. ImpaktFence The ImpaktFence is a unique integrated IWA14 crash-rated fencing and vehicle security barrier (VSB) HVM perimeter security system developed in collaboration between Rosehill Security and Zaun. The surface-mounted ImpaktFence system can be rapidly deployed for temporary or permanent security, as a part of an overall HVM strategy to protect people, buildings and infrastructure from hostile vehicle attacks. Kirstie Emptage, Rosehill Security’s business manager, said “The ImpaktFence is so robust and versatile that it can be installed almost anywhere in minutes, removed and used again and again.” The barrier is constructed from solid 1m cubed rubber blocks, which at 430kg each, weigh one third of similar concrete VSBs, adding to the ease and speed of deployment. Blocks are connected by steel securing cables – which can be anchored to create a stronger barrier – providing the flexibility to protect both entrance areas and site perimeters against hostile vehicle attack.ImpaktFence is so robust and versatile that it can be installed almost anywhere in minutes, removed and used again and again" IWA 14-1 specification The innovative shape with its large footprint has been specifically designed to block vehicles. The ImpaktFence barrier has been successfully impact-tested to IWA 14-1 specification, stopping a 7.2 tonne N2A truck traveling at 30mph (48kph). The IWA14 rating specifies the essential impact performance requirement for a VSB and a test method for rating its performance when subjected to a single impact by a test vehicle not driven by a human being. The 100% recycled rubber blocks incorporate integrated 80mm x 40mm steel fence posts, which provide additional rigidity and support. Zaun’s HiSec Anti-Climb Mesh The posts, at 2060mm centers, hold Zaun’s HiSec anti-climb mesh, providing an ultra-secure perimeter – while CCTV, anti-intrusion detection and fence toppings can also be incorporated into the installation. Zaun research and development manager Adam Christie said, “With no below-ground foundations, this system can be deployed on soft and hard standing, so will be ideal for utility plants, construction sites and temporary events and venues.” The new barrier and fencing system is an ideal physical and visual security deterrent for either temporary or permanent installations and can even be supplied in corporate and event branding.

A high-security fence for rail and other critical national infrastructure applications that resists for more than five minutes of sustained attack with specialist power tools has been developed by steel mesh fencing manufacturer Zaun. The company has received a revised Certificate of Product Approval from the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to include its brand new CorruSec SR3 approved to Security Rating 3. The fencing system incorporates a corrugated HiSec 3-5-10 mesh sandwiched between further panels of HiSec 3-5-10, a special welded steel wire fence panel similar to the type of mesh usually used for prison fencing, whose name is derived from its mesh size 3" × 0.5" × 10 gauge. The original concept was the idea of Zaun’s co-founder and director Alastair Henman and has been developed by research and development manager Adam Christie. Tested And Approved For Rigidity Christie explains, “Alastair conceived the design by looking at the construction of cardboard, in particular the corrugated kind, and how the corrugated element created a much stronger three-dimensional material. So, we started experimenting with a corrugated mesh center section to give fencing greater rigidity and increase its thickness without adding much to the material content and weight, to counter the kind of tools attackers might use.” CorruSec SR3 has been subjected to sustained attack by testers from the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) wielding a range of hand and power tools, yet they could not breach the CorruSec SR3 in less than five minutes. The fencing system is manufactured to BS1722 Part 14 and is approved at heights from 2.4 to 6m above the ground, in ground or base plated options. Each individual panel features a 76.2mm x 12.7mm mesh configuration with 3mm horizontal and vertical wires. The corrugated section is pressed to approximately 100mm in depth. All three layers are bolted together using bolts fixed into place in a grid pattern throughout the combined fence panel. CorruSec SR3 provides good through visibility for use with CCTV cameras, while security toppings can be added to suit. Asset Protection For National Infrastructure Henman says, “The current specification for CrossRail stations is a ‘5-minute fence’, so we set about seeing if we could create a viable product. Across our customer base, operators of critical national infrastructure are upgrading their most sensitive sites given heightened fear of terrorist threats and the advances in technology, such as our CorruSec product.” As well as rail applications, SR3 fencing is ideal for protecting assets at water utilities, oil and gas compounds, data centers and other sites of critical national importance. Further, Zaun’s security systems have achieved security ratings including their HiSec Super10, Duo8 and HiSec 358 systems (certificate number 1164a/05) and are entered into the Red Book for LPS 1175: Issue 7. To maintain accreditation and a listing in the LPCB Red Book, manufacturers must regularly demonstrate to independent auditors that they are producing products consistent with those tested. This gives customers the guarantee that they are getting a secure and quality product. Products approved by LPCB are rigorously tested for resistance to deliberate attack and play an important role in protecting people and property against physical attack, burglary, vandalism and terrorism. LPS 1175 specifically covers the approval and listing of intruder resistant building components, strongpoints, security enclosures and free-standing barriers. It is the result of many years of work by LPCB, UK government, insurers and police. It has rapidly become a core element of physical security specification across many sectors.