Industrial and security fencing
Industrial and security fencing is built from rigid galvanised steel systems, twin-wire mesh, palisade and narrow-aperture anti-climb mesh, chosen for strength, height and resistance to climbing and cutting rather than for looks. The panels are galvanised and powder-coated for a long perimeter life, and set on heavier posts and deeper foundations than a domestic fence. This guide covers the main security systems, what makes a fence secure, the posts and coatings, and how the height and security level are set for the site.
What makes a fence secure
Security is not a single feature but a combination of them. A secure perimeter resists being climbed, cut or forced, and buys time by delaying an intruder. That comes from height, from rigid panels that cannot be flexed or peeled, from small apertures that give no finger or toe hold, and from robust posts and foundations that cannot be levered out. The required level depends on what is being protected, so the specification follows a risk assessment of the site rather than a fixed rule. A light residential fence gives none of this, which is why industrial sites use dedicated systems.
Twin-wire mesh (656 and 868)
Twin-wire mesh, also called double-wire mesh, is the most popular rigid perimeter system in continental Europe. Each panel has pairs of horizontal wires either side of a single vertical wire, which makes it far stiffer than a single-wire panel. The two standard grades are 656, with double 6 mm horizontal wires and a 5 mm vertical, and 868, with double 8 mm horizontal wires and a 6 mm vertical, the stiffest of the two. The apertures are typically 200 x 50 mm, and the panels are galvanised and powder-coated for commercial, industrial and institutional perimeters.
| System | Wire | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 656 twin-wire | Double 6 mm horizontal, 5 mm vertical | Rigid general-purpose perimeter panel |
| 868 twin-wire | Double 8 mm horizontal, 6 mm vertical | Stiffest twin-wire; high-security perimeters |
| Palisade | W or D profile pales | Strong, hard to climb, clear demarcation |
| Anti-climb mesh | Narrow-aperture welded mesh | No finger or toe hold; critical sites |
Palisade fencing
Palisade is a traditional heavy-duty security fence of vertical steel pales bolted to horizontal rails. The pales come in a W profile, the stronger and more common section, or a D profile, and are spaced so they are hard to climb through while keeping the line visually open for surveillance. Pale tops can be left square or formed into pointed or splayed triple-pointed heads to deter climbing over. Palisade is galvanised, and often powder-coated, and suits utility sites, yards and infrastructure where a strong, see-through boundary is wanted.
Narrow-aperture anti-climb mesh
For higher-security sites, welded mesh with very narrow apertures removes the finger and toe holds that let an intruder climb, and the tight mesh also resists cutting with hand tools. The panels are rigid and are fixed close to the posts so they cannot be peeled back. This type of mesh is specified for utilities, transport, data and other critical infrastructure where delay and climb resistance matter most. It is galvanised and powder-coated like the other systems, so the security comes with the same long perimeter life.
Mesh or palisade: choosing the system
Within security fencing the main choice is between rigid mesh and palisade, and each suits a different priority. Twin-wire and anti-climb mesh give a fine, hard-to-cut barrier with good visibility, install quickly over long runs and carry powder colour well, which suits commercial, institutional and general industrial perimeters. Palisade is heavier and more aggressive in appearance, with pales that are very hard to climb through and pointed tops that deter climbing over, which suits utility yards and infrastructure where deterrence matters more than looks. Expanded metal, a steel sheet slit and stretched into a rigid screen, is a further option where a solid-looking, cut-resistant barrier is wanted. Where climb and cut resistance lead, mesh wins; where a visibly hostile line is wanted, palisade does.
Height and anti-climb toppings
Height is a primary security control, and the required height is set by the site risk assessment and any local rules rather than assumed. Beyond the panel itself, the top of the fence can carry additions that raise the effort to climb over: angled extension arms, barbed or razor tape, or rotating toppings, chosen to match the threat and what local rules permit. These toppings load the posts and can catch wind, so the posts and foundations are sized for the whole assembly. The right height and topping are decided from the security requirement, not added as an afterthought.
Posts and foundations for security
A secure panel is only as good as the post holding it. Security fencing uses heavier steel posts, usually hollow section, set in deeper and larger concrete foundations than a domestic fence, so the line cannot be levered, pushed or dug out. The fixings that hold the panel to the post are chosen so they cannot easily be undone from the outside, using security fasteners or clamps. On a long perimeter the posts are set to a constant line and spacing, and gate and corner posts are larger again to carry the extra load. For the setting-out method see our guide to how to install fence panels.
Corrosion protection for a long perimeter
An industrial perimeter is long, exposed and expected to last, so the corrosion protection matters as much as the strength. The steel is hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461, giving a thick, self-healing zinc layer, and is usually powder-coated over the zinc for colour and extra durability, a duplex system that lasts longer than either coating alone. Wherever a panel or post is cut or drilled on site, the bare edge is re-protected with zinc-rich paint so corrosion cannot start there. For the coating detail see our guide to galvanised steel and DX51D.
Closing the gaps at ground level
A perimeter is only as strong as its weakest point, so the detailing at ground level and at every junction is part of the security. The mesh or palisade is taken down close to the ground, or a ground beam is used, so there is no gap to crawl under and no low rail to work as a foothold. Panels meet posts and each other without a climbable step, and the gap under a gate is kept to a minimum. On sloping ground the panels step down so the fence stays close to the ground along the whole run. Overlooking these details leaves a soft spot that undoes an otherwise strong fence, so they are designed in rather than patched later.
Gates and access control
The gate is the weak point of any perimeter, so it is specified to the same standard as the fence. Sliding and cantilever gates suit wide vehicle openings and industrial traffic, while swing gates serve narrower access, and both are built in the same mesh or palisade system, with matching height and toppings, so the line is continuous. Heavy gate leaves need substantial gate posts and foundations to carry the swinging or rolling load, and the hardware is chosen for the duty and for security. Matching the gate to the fence keeps the whole perimeter at one security level rather than leaving a soft point at the entrance.
Standards and compliance
Security fencing is fabricated and coated to recognised European standards. The structural steelwork is made under EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2, the galvanising follows EN ISO 1461, and wind loading on the panels and toppings is checked against the relevant Eurocode for the site and its exposure. The security level itself, the height, the system and any topping, is set by the site risk assessment and local rules, because what is required for a logistics yard differs from a utility substation or a public building. Confirming these at the design stage keeps the perimeter both compliant and effective.
Applications
Industrial and security fencing protects a wide range of sites. Logistics and industrial yards use twin-wire or palisade to secure stock and vehicles. Utilities, substations and water sites need climb and cut resistance around critical plant. Transport, rail and airport perimeters combine height, anti-climb mesh and toppings over long runs. Commercial and institutional sites, from data centres to schools and hospitals, balance security with a reasonable appearance. In each case the system, height and coating are matched to the risk, which is why a dedicated security range rather than a domestic fence is specified. For choosing between systems see our guide to how to choose a fence.
Industrial and security fencing from ULAMEX
ULAMEX has supplied the fencing and metals trade since 1988 and manufactures under EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mesh systems | Rigid twin-wire (656 and 868) and narrow-aperture anti-climb panels |
| Palisade | W and D profile pales, rails and posts |
| Coating | Hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461, powder-coated over the zinc |
| Posts and gates | Heavy hollow-section posts, sliding, cantilever and swing gates to match |
| Terms | No minimum order on stocked SKUs, dispatch 2 to 7 working days, Europe-wide delivery from Poland |
Planning a secure perimeter? Tell ULAMEX the site, the security level and the run length, and the export desk will advise on the system, height and coating and return a non-binding quotation, with cut lists and quantity calculations for large projects. See the galvanised fences range and our guides to galvanised steel and DX51D and modern aluminium fencing, or view our supply capabilities. Contact the desk at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 656 and 868 mesh?
Both are twin-wire (double-wire) rigid mesh panels. 656 has double 6 mm horizontal wires with a 5 mm vertical, and 868 has double 8 mm horizontal wires with a 6 mm vertical, making 868 the stiffer and more secure of the two. Apertures are typically 200 x 50 mm, and both are galvanised and powder-coated.
Which fence is best for high security?
For the highest security, narrow-aperture anti-climb welded mesh removes finger and toe holds and resists cutting, while 868 twin-wire and palisade suit strong general perimeters. The right choice depends on the site risk assessment, the height needed and any anti-climb topping, all confirmed at the design stage.
What is palisade fencing?
Palisade is a heavy-duty security fence of vertical steel pales bolted to horizontal rails. Pales come in a stronger W profile or a D profile, spaced to resist climbing while keeping the line open for surveillance, with square or pointed tops. It is galvanised and often powder-coated for utility and industrial sites.
How high should a security fence be?
The height is set by the site risk assessment and any local rules, not by a fixed figure, because a logistics yard, a substation and a public building differ. Height is combined with anti-climb toppings such as angled extensions or razor tape, and the posts and foundations are sized for the whole assembly.
How is security fencing protected from corrosion?
The steel is hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461 and usually powder-coated over the zinc, a duplex system that lasts longer than either coating alone on a long, exposed perimeter. Any edge cut or drilled on site is re-protected with zinc-rich paint so corrosion cannot start at the bare metal.
What standards apply to security fencing?
The structural steelwork is fabricated under EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2, the galvanising follows EN ISO 1461, and wind loading is checked against the relevant Eurocode for the site. The security level and height are set by the site risk assessment and local rules.
Can ULAMEX supply a complete security perimeter?
Yes. ULAMEX supplies twin-wire and anti-climb mesh, palisade, heavy posts and matching sliding, cantilever and swing gates, galvanised and powder-coated. Send the site, security level and run length and the export desk will advise on the system and return a non-binding quotation.