Setting up effective perimeter security involves planning ahead and using a range of security measures to protect your site. From fences and bollards to door entry systems and barriers, there are numerous devices that can help to safeguard a residential or commercial property. In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide to help you design custom perimeter security solutions.

What Is Perimeter Security?

This type of security focuses on securing the boundary of your property or site to prevent unauthorised access. By doing so, it protects buildings, people and physical assets, such as vehicles.

Recent statistics confirm more than 400,000 businesses in England and Wales were victims of crime within a 12-month period, with theft, burglary and vandalism being the most prevalent offences. By installing or upgrading your security measures, you can keep the perimeter of your site secure and drastically reduce the risk of criminal behaviour affecting your property.

To get started, take a look at our step-by-step guide and find out how to set up perimeter security now…

1. Survey Your Site

Before you decide what type of security measures to install, take the time to survey your site in detail and consider how it is used by various personnel. Assess the boundaries and consider where entry and exit points should be located to facilitate optimal security.

In some cases, such as office blocks or industrial sites, authorised personnel, such as staff, may have authorised access during working hours. If so, you may want to ensure that your perimeter benefits from increased security during non-working hours, when no one is expected to be on site.

Alternatively, if your site is open to the public during certain times or is fully operational 24×7, you may require flexible solutions that can be controlled remotely and/or on-site in accordance with peak traffic times.

2. Install Physical Security Measures

Physical security measures are essential if you want to protect the perimeter of any site. These may include:

Perimeter Fencing

High perimeter fencing clearly marks out the boundary of your property and should deter trespassers from gaining access. However, additional measures, such as anti-tamper mesh and anti-climb topping, can significantly enhance the security of your site.

Swing Gates

Swing gates are a practical addition to any perimeter security system, offering a robust solution for controlling vehicular access at entry and exit points. Made from durable galvanised steel, they are ideal for commercial and industrial sites where occasional access control is needed.

With options for locking in both open and closed positions, our swing gate provides flexibility, ensuring your property remains protected outside operational hours.

Security Bollards and Posts

Security bollards are a highly effective way to limit access to a site, particularly when it comes to vehicles. Static and fixed posts provide a permanent deterrent that prevents vehicles from accessing particular areas of your site at all times, while automatic and telescopic bollards offer greater flexibility while maintaining an optimal level of security.

SIDE NOTE: for sites with parking facilities, integrating advanced car park security systems can also streamline access for authorised vehicles and enhance overall security.

When selecting which security bollards and posts to integrate into perimeter security, remember to take the post material into account. The PAS or K rating will give an indication of their strength rating, with anti-terror bollards offering the highest level of protection. Equally, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) bollards, like the Defender HM3009, are perfect for high-risk environments.

For public-facing sites, it’s also worth understanding your legal responsibilities under Martyn’s Law.

Perimeter Alarms

If someone attempts to breach the perimeter of your site, a physical alarm can be a fantastic way to stop them in their tracks. With an audible alarm, you can deter would-be trespassers, instantly alert on-site staff and facilitate remote notifications with software integration.

3. Add the Latest Tech

Combining the right technologies can enhance perimeter security and give you greater control over your site. The best solutions will depend on the specs of your site, but popular options include:

Video Surveillance

CCTV has been a go-to security measure for decades, but the latest surveillance technologies mean it’s more effective than ever. As well as capturing footage of your site around the clock, you can rely on thermal CCTV to detect unexpected activity and/or ANPR cameras to identify unauthorised vehicles trying to gain access to your site. With regular monitoring and custom alerts, CCTV can be a mainstay of your security solutions.

Sensors and Detection Systems

Advanced detection systems are capable of monitoring and detecting movement and can even determine when a false threat, such as a falling tree branch, occurs. Sensors hidden beneath the ground or affixed to perimeter fencing can be used to bolster security and provide you with increased security at the border of your site.

Access Control

An access control system means you can enable authorised personnel to access specific areas of your site or give them access to the whole site. Key fobs and/or biometric sensors can be used to facilitate entry and exit and different levels can be pre-programmed to correspond with the user’s access permissions.

4. Layer Security Solutions

Instead of relying solely on one type of security measure, use various solutions to layer security and maximise protection. By placing permanent security posts or static hoop barriers in front of perimeter fencing, for example, you add an extra layer of defence and can prevent vehicles from attempting to ram the fence to gain entry to your site.

Similarly, by adding biometric access control systems to building doors, key fob security, and site entry points, you can ensure that personnel must pass through two security checkpoints before they gain access to your property.

5. Choose Professional Installation

Even the best security solutions can fail if they’re not installed properly. To ensure optimal performance, seek expert advice and professional installation. When installing security posts, for example, it’s vital to ensure that no existing groundworks will be affected and that appropriate depth and drainage are obtained.

With professional bollard installation services, you can be confident that your chosen security measures will offer the best performance against unwanted intrusion.

Maximise Perimeter Security with Bollards and Posts

Security bollards and posts should be a critical component of your security strategy. Capable of funnelling pedestrian traffic safely and restricting vehicular access, they offer flexible security that adapts to meet the needs of your site and your business.

To find out how high-spec bollards and posts can enhance site security, why not talk to our expert team? Simply call us on 01708 956833 or submit a contact form.