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A critical component of perimeter security

Electric fencing is well-established in South Africa, with some leading companies based here making a global impact in terms of product quality and reliability (and being acquired by international companies). This industry shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, its potential for growth is enormous as other countries also experience a growing need for security solutions to safeguard people and assets.

Electric fencing is well-established in South Africa, with some leading companies based here making a global impact in terms of product quality and reliability (and being acquired by international companies). This industry shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, its potential for growth is enormous as other countries also experience a growing need for security solutions to safeguard people and assets.

We have seen standards and regulations governing the installation of these fences in South Africa appear over the years, and these have been updated recently. Unfortunately, while the standards are to be welcomed as they pertain to the legality and effectiveness of fences, South Africa is renowned for its inability to follow regulations – perhaps as renowned for opting for a cheaper and not always as effective solution.

To find out what is happening in this market, SMART Security Solutions spoke to Nemtek, Gallagher, and Stafix about the market and the technologies that are making a difference for customers today. We started by asking about the updated standards that have been (or perhaps, should be) applied in the electric fence arena.

Shaun Williamson from Stafix says the new standards (SANS 10222-3:2023 (Ed. 5.01)) are not so much a change as a refinement of the current standard. They are focused on improving the installation levels in South Africa and the safety of said installations. They also provide better clarity in areas where installers have found regulations ambiguous or not as straightforward as they would prefer. The company has already included the updated SANS standards in its accredited training.

Some examples of the updates include that the use of chains or wire loops as contacts on gates that form part of an electric fence is no longer permitted (and metal gates, which form part of the electric fence, are now required to be earthed; the gate rail of a sliding gate must be connected to an earth electrode). In addition, the law has now defined more clearly what can be used as a barrier and where a barrier is needed – the actual barrier needs to be more rigid than before. If an electric fence is installed below 1500 mm, or if any of the earth lines on the electric fence are not smooth wire (e.g., barbed), then a barrier fence is required to protect any person(s) from inadvertently touching or getting entangled in the wires. There have also been some enhancements regarding earthing on the fence and by the energiser.

In summary, Nemtek’s Jason De Freitas says the primary objective of installing safe fences has remained unchanged.

From Gallagher’s perspective, Tarryn Fortune says the company’s perimeter products are designed to comply with international safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards. “These standards set out the safety requirements for the design, installation, and operation of pulse fencing and associated equipment. Every energiser product developed by Gallagher is tested in New Zealand laboratories accredited by IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand). Internally, Gallagher has staff dedicated to reviewing changing standards and ensuring products comply with all legal specifications.”

Above, we only briefly mention some highlights of the updated regulations, which naturally go into much more detail. Find out more online from:

• https://ecasa.co.za/technical/what-all-property-owners-need-to-know-about-electric-fences/ (short link: www.securitysa.com/*SANS10222a).

• https://ecasa.co.za/publications/alert-for-electric-fence-system-installers-efsis-new-prescribed-safety-standard-now-available-from-the-ecas-webstore/ (short link: www.securitysa.com/*SANS10222b).

• https://store.sabs.co.za/sans-10222-3-ed-5-01.html (short link: www.securitysa.com/*SANS10222c).

Shaun Williamson.

Integration for improved security

While electric fences are necessary in South Africa, they are not the only perimeter security solutions used. Therefore, it is crucial that they can integrate with other products to deliver a complete solution. Nemtek has locally integrated with several other third-party brands, from communication platforms to software and VMS platforms; this is generally a requirement specific to companies and customers needs.

Fortune says Gallagher Command Centre allows extensive integration with other systems to enable seamless interaction with third-party perimeter products or extend Command Centre’s capabilities at the perimeter to provide improved site management. A high-level interface between Command Centre and the company’s perimeter security system delivers multi-site, multi-zone control and monitoring through a single graphical user interface. These systems include video integrations, dynamic exit zoning, ASCII interface and Rest APIs, mobile cardholder challenges, a visitor management web service, and a competency module.

Williamson explains that Stafix supplies the JVA electric fencing management software, JVA Perimeter Patrol (currently at version 6). The software can integrate into VMS, access control, SCADA, IoT, and LoraWAN platforms using its SDK, API and GPIO (general purpose input/output) to integrate software and hardware to multiple third-party platforms and devices. Perimeter Patrol features an interactive event log or occurrence book, which enables user accountability and a database to search events by type. Reports are available and can be customised to suit customer requirements by importing them to Excel, etc.

“Perimeter Patrol also offers HLI (high-level interface) to enable server/client network architecture for larger installations. Our HLI also enables monitoring of concurrent sites.” (See example in Figure 1.)

As far as training goes, it is worth adding that Gallagher released its latest training suite, an Augmented Reality (AR) Pulse Perimeter Fence Installer Course, which allows attendees to experience the HoloLens and AR environment firsthand.

Additionally, Williamson notes that the GPIO interface can be used to display and demarcate LiDAR Zones on the Perimeter Patrol map. These LiDAR zones then change to customisable colours to represent live alarm conditions for security personnel in the control room. “Perimeter Patrol is also drone ready in that we provide GPS coordinates via Google Earth or Maps for all zones and sectors, thus allowing flight paths to be set for drones to fly in response to alarm events. We are talking with various drone integration partners about how to facilitate this integration directly into our software.”

Jason De Freitas.

Going mobile

Integration is vital, but in today’s world, managing systems from mobile is also important, especially for offsite users. This allows them to deal with alerts as soon as they appear without having to travel somewhere only to find it is a false alarm.

De Freitas says that Nemtek launched its app about one year ago. It offers a GSM solution to its range of security energisers. He says the platform allows for many sites with either the same energiser or different models to be combined into one. It can also be used by multiple users and grant remote access to customers’ homes or estates’ energisers.

Similarly, JVA energisers, Wi-Fi gateways and GSM units can be monitored via the cloud router using an app on a PC, laptop or Android phone. Williamson says multiple users with different user levels (permissions) can be added. A smartphone user can be sent ‘push’ notifications when an alert is raised for multiple reasons, a fence fault, mains failure, low battery, etc. The JVA app is free and has no monthly charges.

Fortune adds that the Gallagher Command Centre Mobile App enables you to extend your security and access control directly to where you need it. Downloadable from the Apple App and Google Play stores, this software allows you to manage your security from your mobile device.

Let us not forget AI

With almost every company in the world talking about AI and claiming to produce AI-enhanced products, are we seeing something similar in the perimeter security field (specifically referring to electric fences)?

AI is here to stay, says Williamson. “We have already run trials in a game farm application where we are using IoT devices to send signals to our electric fence management software to monitor the movement of wild dogs using geo-fencing technology. We can switch fences on or off via IoT devices to facilitate the dogs’ movement across demarcated geo-fencing zones in the game parks.”

“We foresee that AI will improve the effectiveness of surveillance systems by proactively preventing perceived intrusions in advance, thus providing 24-hour protection. Since electric fences are the first barrier against intrusions, we foresee that AI will improve the effectiveness of detection by using and combining different technologies, such as vibration detection, anti-dig, surveillance drones, and camera analytics.”

“We also recognise that VMS platforms are more advanced in their implementation of AI. Therefore, we have formed integration partnerships to benefit the electric fencing industry. The synergy between electric fencing and camera surveillance technologies cannot be overlooked or over-emphasised. We are now designing our newer products and software with AI capabilities in mind.”

Fortune notes that by integrating over 40 different video surveillance platforms into Command Centre, Gallagher is able to use the cameras’ AI within its perimeter solutions.

Tarryn Fortune.

Proactive prevention and alarms

When a fence sends an alarm to a control room, it is vital to ensure the security operators can identify where the breach occurred on the fence. Nemtek offers a hard-wired zone electric fence solution, which could work independently or be incorporated into other technology. “We also manufacture a tension sensor system, which monitors wire movement and provides another line of protection,” notes De Freitas. “This product can be used on electric fences or static wires in the field.”

Gallagher pulse fences use sensors that continuously measure and report the tension of the wire and monitor for vibrations. Using this data, the system differentiates between intruders and disturbances from wildlife or harsh weather conditions. When an intruder is detected, a notification is instantly sent to Command Centre.

If the wire is energised, pulses are regularly sent through it. This delivers a short but safe shock to an intruder who touches it, making it almost impossible to climb the fence. A perimeter fence can also be zoned so you can adjust voltage levels for different areas.

Similarly, Stafix offers various JVA solutions to determine where a breach occurred. Electronically, it is ideally on a per-zone basis, with a zone defined as a fence section powered by one energiser. So, the more energisers there are on the site and the more fence zones, the easier it is to detect where the breach occurred. All JVA energisers and monitors integrate directly into the Perimeter Patrol software for site management and, in turn, into JVA Site Monitor for multi-site management.

“The other alternative where creating a network of energisers around the perimeter is a challenge, is that one can make use of a single zone, high voltage JVA Energiser, and divide the fence up into smaller sectors using a JVA ZM20 or ZM50 monitor, sectorising the fence using amperage flow as the primary source of detection,” explains Williamson.

“In coastal regions where stainless-steel wire is used with higher resistance, JVA ZLM4’s four-zone low-voltage monitors can overcome resistance and give each high-voltage unit installed four or more distinct hard-wired zones with added features such as short and cut differentiation.”

For more information, contact:

• Gallagher Security, +27 11 974 4740, [email protected], www.gallaghersa.co.za

• Stafix Security Centres, +27 11 397 3507, [email protected], www.stafix.co.za

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