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Perimeter security standards

Johan Crause provides some insight into international standards pertaining to perimeter security.

Perimeter Security has advanced tremendously in the past five years. Initially intended to eliminate anyone on one’s property, the perimeter has taken on a new dimension in the South African market and has permeated the commercial market.

It would be prudent to explain the European grading system to illustrate where commercial property is affected and how the security industry has differentiated between the sectors. The European Sector for Electrontechnical standardisation came up with four grades that the detector should have to accurately grade what type of detector may be used in each application. This was to make sure that strict standards in the environment where adhered to and standardise installations. The grades are:

Grade 1: Low risk

An intruder is expected to have little knowledge of intrusion and hold-up systems and be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools.

Grade 2: Low to medium risk

An intruder or robber is expected to have a limited knowledge of intrusion and hold-up systems and the use of a general range of tools and portable instruments (eg, a multimeter).

Grade 3: Medium to high risk

An intruder or robber is expected to be conversant with intrusion and hold-up systems and have a comprehensive range of tools and portable electronic equipment.

Grade 4: High risk

To be used when security takes precedence over all other factors. An intruder or robber is expected to have the ability or resource to plan an intrusion or robbery in detail and have a full range of equipment including means of substitution of components in an intrusion and hold-up systems.

South Africa also has numerous standards we abide by, normally governed by PSIRA, SAIDSA and a few other administrative associations that govern the intrusion sector. As we know though, South Africa is not the only country that suffers with the criminal element thus the grading system is a perfect indicator of where our products place internationally. The conformity is largely followed by many international security conglomerates as this standard often dictates trends in very large markets.

This brings us back to the detectors description. In the commercial environment Grade 3 detectors should be the norm. Branded market leaders like Visonic, Honeywell, Rokonet and Texecom all share the standardisation. This by no means indicates that these are the only products that carry this mark many other global players use them, but as a commercial installer or as an end user it is vital to insist on detectors with this standard.

As for advancements in outdoor detectors, the first feature of the new generation outdoor detector is that it is wireless – unfortunately this standard has not been adopted by local associations yet. Ease of installation thus has been significantly improved. The new generation detector also boasts a patented technology called anti-sway, which involves the detector being able to recognise bush and shrubbery and keep gardens intact.

The new generation detector also boasts black mirror technology. What this means is that instead of the conventional Fresnel white lens used in detectors, the new generation consist of black highly reflective plastic. When rays of sun light shine directly onto a detector, it can cause a false alarm; or you can have a case where bolts of lightning in a rain storm can cause this detector to trigger. Black Mirror Technology has overcome this stumbling block significantly. Also a notable benefit of the new range of commercial detector is the range of surface area that these detectors cover. In the Tower Grade 3 range, an area of 750 m² of surface area is protected.

Though no system is absolutely bullet proof, the technology in Passive Infrared Red solutions is certainly keeping up with technological advancement. Trends indicate that end users are more informed and are certainly more prepared for intrusion. This could be attributed to many factors, but sadly the ultimate indicator is that this experience has been gained due to personal loss of property or life.

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