Perimeter security
Access control is the selective restriction of access to a particular place, building, room, resource or installation. To gain access to a restricted location an individual generally needs to have authorisation or to be given permission to enter by someone that already has authorisation.
Perimeter security can be used to prevent intruders and criminals from penetrating a defined boundary between land, buildings or parts of buildings and gaining access to protected people, property or assets. Perimeter security may be created by psychological, physical or electronic barriers which:
- Deter.
- Defend.
- Detect.
- Delay.
Perimeter security is commonly required to protect operations such as:
- Transportation (airports, stations, ports, bridges).
- Utilities (dams, power plants, pipelines, energy distribution networks).
- Industry (chemical, oil and gas operations).
- Commerce (offices, banks, warehouses, entertainment facilities).
- Defence (military bases, weapons storage, command centres).
- Government (embassies, courts, departments).
- Correctional facilities (prisons and other institutions).
- VIP areas (secured estates, royal palaces).
There are a great number of methods that can be used to provide perimeter security.
- Fences, railings and walls.
- Perimeter structures.
- Street furniture such as cycle racks, seating, planters, and so on.
- Gates, turnstiles, boom barriers, bollards and height restrictors.
- Electric fences which deliver a non-lethal electric shock. Attempts to short circuit, reduce the voltage or breach the fence can trigger an intruder alarm. Some fences have the ability to pinpoint perimeter disturbances making it quicker for building occupants to be alerted to where a potential intrusion is taking place.
- Buried cable detection systems which provide covert perimeter security, detecting the precise location of intruders.
- Closed-loop systems in which vibration sensor cables are installed at high and low levels on a perimeter fence.
- CCTV used to oversee the perimeter.
- Microwave, infrared or radar sensors which can detect walking, running or crawling targets. When an intruder enters the detection zone, changes to the field are registered and an alarm is triggered.
- Rising kerbs and road blockers.
Construction sites can use perimeter security for safety purposes, and to prevent damage, theft or vandalism.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Access control.
- Access to construction sites.
- Approved document Q.
- Barrier.
- Bollard.
- CCTV.
- Commercial security systems.
- Construction Site Security guide.
- Electric lock.
- Entry control.
- Fence.
- Fire detection and alarm systems.
- Glass break detector.
- Hostile architecture.
- Insurance.
- Intruder alarm.
- ISO 22341:2021.
- Keeping commercial premises safe during extreme times.
- Mortice lock.
- Outbuildings security.
- Palisade.
- Purchasing security gates and barriers.
- Ram raid.
- RIBA approved CPD for crime prevention through design.
- Security and the built environment.
- Security glazing.
- Smart surveillance, video surveillance and VSaaS.
- Smoke detector.
- Types of alarm.
- Types of lock.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.