Electric Fencing

Silent Nite Alarms offers Electric Fencing as part of their Service Portfolio.

Electric fencing is considered the first line of defence in a typical security setup. It creates a physical barrier that delivers a 10,000-volt shock when touched and serves as a Perimeter Alarm System.

Electric fencing must be installed in accordance with the legislation set out in the regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act required by the South African National Standards (SANS 10222-3:2012).

As per legislation passed in 2012, properties can no longer be sold without an EFCC (Electric Fence Compliance Certificate) which can only be done by registered/certified individuals.

Wall top fencing secures the area above boundary walls and gates preventing intruders from simply hopping over. The most installed wall top fence consists of 8 strands of wire which provide a barrier of 900mm in height. Fence poles must not be spaced more than 3m apart and additional poles should be installed to reduce gaps created by wall steps.

Piggyback electric fencing is usually a multi-strand fence installed from ground level up which and attached to an existing structure such as a precast wall, mesh or steel palisade fence.

Freestanding electric fencing is a multi-strand fence using its own poles for support. The fences vary in height with the average being between 1.8m (18 strands) to 2.4m (24 strands).

Electric Fencing is a great perimeter deterrent if installed correctly. It creates both a physical barrier that stops intruders outside the property and serves as a perimeter alarm system as mentioned above.

However, Electric Fencing is only as strong as the weakest link. Trees, telephone poles, neighbouring walls, gates, wall steps, angles, corners, etc all need to be taken into consideration when installing an electric fence. It serves no purpose to have a fence installed if the above mentioned can be used to enter properties and completely bypass the fence.

Unfortunately, the above is a reality where thousands of fences have been installed by individuals who are not properly trained, do not spec the site properly, do not consider the weak links and often do not configure the fence correctly. Incorrectly installed and configured electric fences can be breached without a fence alarm activation.

In attempts to combat this, the legislation passed in 2012 requires that every new electric fence installed must be compliant and the owner to be in possession of an EFCC (Electric Fence Compliance Certificate).

The EFCC just ensures that the fence has been installed and configured correctly but does not address the issue of weak links. There are measures that can be taken to enhance the effectiveness of the fence making it more secure.