Security Fencing Considerations Guide

Security Fencing Considerations Guide

GCPSG-009 (2022)

Prepared by:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Lead Security Agency for Physical Security
Departmental Security Branch
NHQ 73 Leikin Drive Ottawa Ontario, K1A 0R2
Publication Issued: 2020-12-02
Updated: 2021-06-03

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Table of Contents

Foreword

The Security Fencing Considerations Guide is an unclassified publication, issued under the authority of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Lead Security Agency for Physical Security (RCMP LSA).

This is a Government of Canada publication to serve as a guide for the design and selection of security fencing for departments, agencies, and employees of the Government of Canada.

Suggestions for amendments and other information can be sent to the RCMP Lead Security Agency RCMP.LSA-GRC.POSM@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Effective Date

The effective date of GCPSC-009 Security Fencing Considerations Guide is 2022-01-27.

Introduction

The RCMP, as the Lead Security Agency (LSA) for physical security for the Government of Canada (GC), is responsible for providing advice and guidance on all matters relating to physical security. This includes what should be considered after determining that security fencing is required for a specific location or application.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to provide GC employees with information on the appropriate selection and procurement of fence systems. It also provides considerations in the selection of alternate fence solutions.

Applicability

This guide is for use by all GC employees who design and/or specify security fencing. It is intended to be updated regularly to capture new guidance or update existing information as technologies evolve.

Information Technology Considerations

With the constantly evolving threat landscape and the convergence of physical and information technology (IT) security, the requirement to assess the risk of any application and/or software connected to a network to operate and support equipment in Government of Canada controlled buildings is critical. Some examples of these control systems could include security lighting, perimeter gates, doors, HVAC, etc.

Before implementing any applications and/or software that will control and/or automate certain building functions, your departmental security requires the completion of a Security Assessment and Authorization (SA&A). This will ensure the integrity and availability of the components the applications and/or software control are maintained and that any risks highlighted are mitigated. Starting the SA&A process early is highly recommended to ensure project delivery schedules are not affected. For more information on the SA&A process, please consult your departmental Security.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Lead Security Agency for Physical Security
73 Leikin Drive, Mailstop #165
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0R2
Email: RCMP.LSA-GRC.POSM@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Glossary

Biometrics

Identification using a physical feature of the person, e.g., fingerprint, iris print, facial recognition, hand geometry, retinal print, etc.

CCVE / CCTV

Closed Circuit Video Equipment / Closed Circuit Television

Compound

A site or campus with multiple structures secured as a single entity.

Delay

The time to defeat a security layer after detection of the attempt.

Deter

The ability to prevent an attack on a security layer due to perceived difficulty and/or threat of a response.

Fabric

The material between fence posts. Most commonly chain link, but includes other panels and mesh materials.

HVM

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. Protective measures installed around a building or compound to prevent hostile vehicles from coming into close contact.

M-Rating (K-rating)

A vehicle security barrier rating based on the mass and speed of the attacking vehicle.

Man-trap (Interlock)

An interlocked set of personnel gates or doors that prevent simultaneous access between a secured and a less or unsecured area with sequential access through an intermediate area.

Perimeter

A continuous security line surrounding a secured zone.

Protected compound

A compound where the building(s) and/or assets require additional security controls for protection of the information or assets.

Sally port

A secured or controlled entry point through the security layer of a perimeter fence or wall.

Security fence

A perimeter fence that is intended to have a deterrent and/or delay function related to the security of the contained buildings and/or assets.

Setback

Outer: The distance between the property line and the security layer.
Inner: The distance from the security layer to the nearest building.

Stand-off

The distance between a potential threat and the asset.

Acronyms

AHJ

Authority Having Jurisdiction

AWG

American Wire Gauge

CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

GC

Government of Canada

LSA

Lead Security Agency

PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride

TRA

Threat and Risk Assessment

Security Fencing

The need for a perimeter fence starts with a Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) to determine who or what the fence(s) will deter or delay. Fences provide protection against threats, may have safety-related functions, and can offer both deterrent and delay functions. To increase fencing effectiveness, there should be detection elements included in the design.

A perimeter is not the only place a security fence can be installed. Within a given compound or area, there may be different security requirements or levels, which might require sub-dividing the fencing elements. They can divide a compound into separate zones or create protected pathways for traveling between buildings. Higher security levels may require the use of multiple layers of security fencing to provide the appropriate security in depth.

The security fence design should consider gates, barriers, and sally ports to control who or what may pass through the perimeter, as well as alternatives if the system is breached. The use of security guards or electronic access control devices will help speed up the entry and exit process for authorized users. Reducing complications encountered when entering and exiting can make a significant difference by reducing congestion, especially for legitimate or frequent users.

All fencing installations are subject to criteria from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Provincial or municipal laws or bylaws may restrict, limit, or demand certain construction standards for fences.

Protected Compound

The starting point for security fences is to determine the perimeter that is to be enclosed. Some of the possible elements requiring protection from a perimeter fence could include:

• Single or multiple building compounds
• Single or multi-tenant buildings or compounds
• Parking areas
• Training areas
• Utility infrastructure (exterior storage areas, gas, electric, water, and sewer)
• Transportation hubs such as ports, train yards or stations, and airports

The main challenge in defining a perimeter is the length of fencing required. A large perimeter is expensive and more elaborate to design. Questions to consider during the design phase include:

• Do all elements in the compound require the same protection level, or is there a requirement for multiple layers of protection?
• Does the security fence encompass one or more buildings as part of the perimeter, and will the fence butt against, go around (encircle), or go over the building(s)?
• Does the security fence need to be supported or reinforced with other security controls such as bollards, detection equipment, guards, etc.?
• Is a perimeter inside the property boundary possible or even acceptable?
• What types of locations/conditions are adjacent to the perimeter?
  • Unrelated buildings
  • Open, forested, or overgrown areas
  • Shorelines (fresh/salt water)
  • Highways and roads, pedestrian paths, or public areas
  • Environmental concerns such as weather, seismic activity, etc.
• Is a wall or fence required to protect the boundaries of the property?
  • A TRA should be conducted to determine what type of barrier is required.
  • A fence is defined as a freestanding structure preventing movement or access across a boundary. A wall is a vertical structure, solid along the entire length, which defines and may protect an area.

Access

Access points through a security fence require significant planning. Considerations must be made for the type of access (pedestrian/vehicular), the frequency of use, and the number of access points required.

Most compounds will require at least two separate access points for vehicles, taking into consideration operational needs and fire safety. Vehicular access points can operate as secondary emergency exit points for pedestrians.

Other access point considerations include:

• Who/what requires access?
• How many, and what type(s) of pedestrian and vehicular access points are required?
  • Do all access points require the same security features?
  • Is access for cars, trucks, trains, boats?
  • Is there a need for separate entry and exit lanes?
  • Is there a need for a tertiary access point for redundancy/safety?
• How secure do the access points need to be?
  • Single gate/door/barrier
  • Turnstiles (consider safe egress options if using turnstiles)
  • Vehicular inspection area
  • Interlocked gates/doors
  • An occupied gatehouse
• How much oversight or audit capability is required for the access point?
  • No verification (access verified at building entry points)
  • Self-identification (key, card reader, biometric, other credentials)
  • Identification by security personnel
• Was the UL 325 standard utilized when installing an automated gate?
  • Maintain walkways and directional signage for pedestrian foot traffic to ensure a separate or designated walk-through entrance.
  • Display warning signs clearly on both sides of the gate at vehicle access points.
  • All access control mechanisms should be mounted a minimum of 6 feet from moving parts.

Threats

The threats identified in the TRA inform the choices required in fence construction. Portions of the perimeter may have different threats based on the access point, type, and adjacencies. Considerations must be made given the application; vehicular entrances may require crash prevention design options for both the gate and fence, while security fences adjacent to a forested area may require different detection technology than one next to a road.

Threat Classifications Rating

Threats to fenced areas may fall into two categories: pedestrian and vehicular. Pedestrian threats are motivation, skill, and tool-based, and are rated as follows:

Low

Low-skilled, non-motivated single or small group of assailants using basic implements found in the vicinity (sticks, branches, rocks)

Medium

Medium-skilled, single or a small group of motivated or non-motivated attackers equipped with hand tools (small ladders, hammers, cutters)

High

Highly skilled, motivated attackers working in groups or alone, equipped with portable battery-powered tools (grinders, saws, cutters)

Very high

Extremely motivated, highly skilled attackers working in groups or alone, equipped with high-performance power tools (gas-powered tools, torches, chainsaws, and hydraulic units).

Crash Rating

Vehicular threats are based on the amount of kinetic energy delivered to the barrier device (F = ½ mv²). The results of this formula created the K-rating, now outdated. M-ratings have since replaced K-ratings, as the primary certification given is based on how far the payload from a 15,000lb vehicle travels past the barrier. ASTM F2656 (American Society for Testing Materials) details the requirements for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures required to limit damage caused by vehicle-as-a-weapon attacks.

Although this section deals with crash ratings for vehicles, security practitioners should note that vehicle threats are not only concerning from an impact perspective. Vehicles can also be used to pull down the fence.

ASTM ratings are based on the mass and velocity of the vehicle hitting the barrier device. The primary goal of this rating system is to assess the strength of perimeter barriers (fencing) and gates when hit by vehicles of different masses and at varying speeds. Security fencing can also have a ballistic or blast mitigation rating based on resistance to projectiles and explosions. The level of protection required by the fence/barrier will depend on several threat factors such as the size of the vehicle and payload (explosive) and the setback and standoff distances. A TRA is required to determine these threats and inform the ratings required to protect the assets. ASTM has developed crash certifications for different types of vehicles. They are as follows:

C

Ratings: small passenger car (2430 lb.)

PU

Ratings: pickup truck (5070 lb.)

M

Ratings: medium-duty truck (15,000 lb.)

H

Ratings: heavy goods vehicle (65,000 lb.)

ASTM F2656 provides a complete list of ratings, but below is an example of the required product rating if a 15,000lb (6,800kg) vehicle hits a barrier at different speeds:

M30 (K4)

Vehicle at 48 km/h (30 mph)

M40 (K8)

Vehicle at 64 km/h (40 mph)

M50 (K12)

Vehicle at 80 km/h (50 mph)

The M-rating certifications are complemented by P-ratings that describe how far the payload travels past the barrier:

P1

Less than 3.3' (1m)

P2

3.31' – 23' (1.1m – 7m)

P3

23.1' – 98.4' (7m – 30m)

P4

98.41' (30.1m) and more

Using this data: If a TRA recommended protecting against a vehicular threat for a 15,000lb (6,800kg) vehicle traveling at 40mph (64km/h) and requiring that vehicle to travel no further than 5' beyond the barrier, you would need to install a product with the following ASTM rating: M40 P2 - M40 (15,000lb vehicle) P2 (3.31'-23').

Design Considerations

Setback

Setback is the distance from the property line to the fence (outer setback) plus the distance from the fence line to the buildings or other assets protected inside the fenced area (inner setback).

An outer setback reduces the total area enclosed within the fence and consequently reduces the overall cost. This outer setback area is often cleared and trimmed to provide visibility into the external area adjacent to the fence. This cleared area also allows responding personnel better visibility to observe any attackers and eliminates areas or obstacles where threats may be present. The use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CEPTED) principles is important in this area.

The inner setback can be an area for parking adjacent to a building. It can also provide a method