IFSEC Insider is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
Claire Mahoney has been a journalist for over 20 years in industries including healthcare, print, and publishing. She has been behind the launch and re-branding of a number of international business magazines. She has been editor of Security Middle East Magazine (www.securitymiddleeastmagazine.com) for the last seven years. The magazine is now the leading English language security title in the Middle East. She also co-runs a successful design and editorial agency, which offers a wide range of editorial, design, and print services to international clients.
Perimeter security needn’t always be about fencing ourselves in. New designs and concealed technologies mean that even something as simple as a bollard can be a thing of beauty while still being a highly effective piece of kit.
Take the bollards outside the Harry S Truman Federal Building, headquarters of the US State Department. These neat, clean TT210-SS models from Delta Scientific secure the diplomatic and congressional drive entrances to the building. They are coated with stainless steel and have built-in lights for improved visibility at night. But they also pack a punch. They will destroy the front suspension system, steering linkage, engine crank case, and portions of the drive train of any 7.5-ton non-armoured or non-tracked vehicle hitting them at 62mph. They will also stop a 15-ton vehicle going up to 44mph.
Delta Scientific used a combination of bollards and planters for the $6.8 million security overhaul of the California Capitol’s perimeter. The bollards were linked by 2.6cm-thick cable. The planter barriers and bollards were designed to complement both the Capitol architecture and the lush landscaping surrounding it. In addition, decorative bollards featuring the state seal were placed in high-traffic areas. These are normally kept in the up position and lowered to let authorized vehicles through.
Access turnstiles
The Middle East is well known for its lavish architecture. Fastlane Turnstiles has been serving this market for many years and has created bespoke turnstiles designs for the entrances to some of the region’s most iconic buildings. Many of these designs are completely bespoke. “We have carved a niche for our products in the high-end global headquarter-style foyer and see ourselves as clear leaders in this area,” managing director Tony Smith told us.
The company has developed turnstiles in a huge variety of finishes using materials including naval brass, toned and waxed bronze, and stainless steel in colours ranging from champagne to charcoal black. The top of these units can be made from anything from marble to sandstone. The glass panels on the turnstile doors are often silkscreened with logos or patterns. Not surprisingly, Fastlane has worked closely with some of the world’s top architectural practices, including Foster & Partners, Zaha Hadid, and Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners.
Recent high-profile installations include the Harbour Towers, the tallest buildings in Bahrain. The access control system for this project had to score high on aesthetics as well as performance. Twenty lanes of Fastlane’s Glassgate product were installed and linked to the access control system.
The gates have a glass barrier that operates in a welcoming door-like motion, while an IT detection matrix offers protection against unauthorized entry. The turnstiles feature the latest microprocessor architecture and multiple infrared beam paths that detect movement and interpret the pattern of the beam breaks to assess who or what is crossing the lanes. “Direction, speed, and, most importantly, the ability to differentiate between a person and a piece of baggage are all assessed in real-time, and appropriate action can be taken to signal an illegal action such as tailgating or forced entry,” Smith said.
Hidden intrusion detection
Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) provides intruder detection systems for some of the world’s most unforgiving locations. Nevertheless, Alec Owen, international client manager at FFT, told us aesthetics still play a part in its products.
Some clients prefer their security to be unobtrusive, especially at VIP and government installations. They will usually have some style of decorative palisade fence installed to provide the physical barrier without looking like an industrial security solution or a prison. FFT has carried out many installations where the sensor cable was actually embedded within the fence structure so it was not visible to the naked eye. These solutions deliver the high levels of security and intrusion detection required without compromising the aesthetics of the property.
He says there are two schools of thought on how a perimeter should look, depending on the psychological impact in addition to the function.
Some applications such as government VIP residences want their PIDS system to be completely unobtrusive, so there is not that mental barrier between the public and the property being protected, yet the detection of any possible intruders remains highly effective. A good example of this would be Buckingham Palace. Conversely, in a prison, for example, you not only want a highly effective intrusion detection system installed on an imposing anti-climb prison fence, but you also want everyone to know that there is a security system installed and plainly obvious for all to see.
It all goes to prove that a security system, particularly one at the perimeter or access point to a facility, has an important visual role to play. Perhaps the best types of security solutions are the ones that we don’t even notice.
Free Download: The Video Surveillance Report 2023
Discover the latest developments in the rapidly-evolving video surveillance sector by downloading the 2023 Video Surveillance Report. Over 500 responses to our survey, which come from integrators to consultants and heads of security, inform our analysis of the latest trends including AI, the state of the video surveillance market, uptake of the cloud, and the wider economic and geopolitical events impacting the sector!
Download for FREE to discover top industry insight around the latest innovations in video surveillance systems.
Perimeter Security Designs: An OverviewPerimeter security needn’t always be about fencing ourselves in. New designs and concealed technologies mean that even something as simple […]
Claire Mahoney
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
Related Topics
Subscribe
5 Comments
Oldest
NewestMost Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Secure_ACP
July 1, 2013 5:39 pm
Many ani-terrorist perimeter security devices look like they were manufactured in Russia at the turn of the 20th century (not 21st century). Way too much metal. Foreboding. Dangerous looking, and dangerous period. The entry to many if not most high security environments MUST protect against an act of terror and or theft and vanadalism. Yet these access control points don’t need to look like they are part of the Maginot Line, deterring familiar and foe at the same time. More importantly, many of these devices were designed with fatality in mind, forgetting that 99.999% of all users of these entrances… Read more »
GeoffMoore
July 2, 2013 6:36 am
Hi Claire Interesting article. I think that the main point here is that there simply is no “one size fits all” solution to perimeter protection, and in many cases you need the flexibility to be able to source different elements of your overall perimeter protection scheme from different manufacturers. Clearly this is a no brainer when it comes to buying a fence from one company and a turnstile from another, but even when you’re looking at a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System supplier, you sometimes won’t be able to get all the features and functionality you need around the entire perimeter… Read more »
a few years ago I designed a new concept line for access controle gates. First thing I noticed is that nothing was done to look nice and avoiding the sensation of a prison gate or been aggresive. I made a new way of thinking in this matter. The modular kit that can be build and installed and also activated in 1 hour.
I had the fun to put also some personalisable parts into it, what is great for the client and the user. Those parts can be plastic, glass or metal, also the colour can be predefined.
Martialguedin, how do you think is the best way to make security look more friendly and user-friendly?
SunitaT
July 23, 2013 2:08 am
There are security design companies, like sightsurvey, APS who do perimeter security design as per requirement of industry and household. Perimeter security design should not shock people and it should be soothing to eye.
Many ani-terrorist perimeter security devices look like they were manufactured in Russia at the turn of the 20th century (not 21st century). Way too much metal. Foreboding. Dangerous looking, and dangerous period. The entry to many if not most high security environments MUST protect against an act of terror and or theft and vanadalism. Yet these access control points don’t need to look like they are part of the Maginot Line, deterring familiar and foe at the same time. More importantly, many of these devices were designed with fatality in mind, forgetting that 99.999% of all users of these entrances… Read more »
Hi Claire Interesting article. I think that the main point here is that there simply is no “one size fits all” solution to perimeter protection, and in many cases you need the flexibility to be able to source different elements of your overall perimeter protection scheme from different manufacturers. Clearly this is a no brainer when it comes to buying a fence from one company and a turnstile from another, but even when you’re looking at a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System supplier, you sometimes won’t be able to get all the features and functionality you need around the entire perimeter… Read more »
a few years ago I designed a new concept line for access controle gates. First thing I noticed is that nothing was done to look nice and avoiding the sensation of a prison gate or been aggresive. I made a new way of thinking in this matter. The modular kit that can be build and installed and also activated in 1 hour.
I had the fun to put also some personalisable parts into it, what is great for the client and the user. Those parts can be plastic, glass or metal, also the colour can be predefined.
Martialguedin, how do you think is the best way to make security look more friendly and user-friendly?
There are security design companies, like sightsurvey, APS who do perimeter security design as per requirement of industry and household. Perimeter security design should not shock people and it should be soothing to eye.