HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERS AND SAFETY PROFESSIONALS TOLD US THEIR FOUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE:
SOUND FAMILIAR?
As the U.S. government seeks to increase infrastructure upgrading and innovation with over $100 billion in annual spending, the chain link industry has developed a wide range of cost-effective high security, anti-intrusion, perimeter security systems. These new systems can be designed to help solve the challenges facing companies and agencies working to protect and harden the perimeters on roads, bridges, military bases, airports and other infrastructure projects, and to maximize precious financial resources.
I. ENHANCING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND VISIBILITY
Unlike panel wire fence, chain link can be easily formed for curved parapet protective fence applications and serve as a platform for enhanced lighting and electronic detection systems.
Chain link’s see-through capability can also be increased with polymer coated systems
The ability to sustain necessary access while protecting the public is always the top priority for any agency. Still, over 6,000 pedestrians were killed on America’s roads last year. Chain link systems can be designed and installed to enhance physical protection for pedestrians and bicyclists, while at the same providing the visibility necessary for drivers to be alert and prepared to engage in defensive driving techniques.
While chain link has always been the perimeter security system of choice for the public works market*, today’s chain link provides newly-developed choices in fabric sizes, coatings and configurations, accompanying framework and accessory products. These systems have been tested to the highest levels, and manufacturing facilities are strategically located throughout North America to provide the widest range of options for solving today’s – and tomorrow’s – infrastructure perimeter security problems.
*All 50 state Departments of Transportation currently specify chain link via AASHTO M181 and ASTM
Some examples of the current options available for use on highways, bridges, overpasses and other infrastructure projects:
- 1/2” 9 gauge & 3/8” 11 gauge: Deters pedestrian climbing and very time consuming to cut thru, provides a level of impact resistance to reduce vehicular penetration and damage. Visually intimidating. *Excellent ASTM F2781 test results
- 1 3/4” 6 gauge: Harder to climb, provides higher security level for key infrastructure assets, such as entrances to government/security facilities, etc. Visually intimidating.
- 2” 6 gauge: Deters cutting in areas more subjected to intentional intrusion; reduces losses due to theft of construction supplies and other critical materials
- 2” 9 gauge: Proven effective for perimeter protection and animal deterrence for highways, roads and bridges, airports, military & government installations.
II. MEETING ASTM STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENTAL COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES
Despite the ongoing high profile of traffic safety programs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an increase in highway fatalities last year (over 35,000). Multi-level chain link perimeter security systems are among the options available to highway departments, public works professionals, and private sector safety and transportation directors to help reduce these accidents. In addition, chain link is flexible and cost-effective enough to team with other barriers and systems to provide additional layers of highway security.
In rural areas, chain link’s ease of installation and repair, and its ability to follow the grade makes it the smartest investment for highway project managers.
III. DETERRING ANIMAL ACCESS TO HIGHWAYS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES
Chain link’s flexibility and see-through properties help make it the go-to systems for reducing animal intrusions and accidents on roads and bridges. This wildlife underpass in southern Florida provides for the local ecosystem to work normally as it allows local wildlife to cross under the highway while limiting access via either side of the overpass.
The figures are staggering: between 1-2 million animal related vehicular accidents each year, causing an estimated $8 billion in damages and 200 human fatalities. Chain link systems are an ideal option because they can:
- provide a seamless, high-visibility extension to your project to deter and detect animal intrusion
- serve as a platform for barbed wire extensions and sensoring devices for early detection and intervention, as well as increased deterrence
- be buried under the ground level of the fence, to discourage tunneling by animals
IV. MAXIMIZING BUDGETS FOR PROJECT MANAGERS
Chain link has an unbroken record of being the most cost-effective perimeter protection product capable of meeting ASTM/industry needs¹ at every level of perimeter physical security. Installation and upgrading costs are also greatly reduced compared to other perimeter security products.
Perhaps most importantly, chain link’s higher tensile strength², anti-corrosive properties³ and specialized coatings create huge savings in repair and replacement costs, funds that can be used for other high-priority security needs.
- The welded wire products listed in ASTM F3204 Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Welded Wire Fence Systems for Security Purposes have not been tested per ASTM F2781 Standard Practice for Testing Forced Entry, Ballistic, and Low Impact Resistance of Security Fence Systems.
- The minimum wire tensile strength of chain link, 75,000 psi, is 2.14 times stronger than the tensile strength of the wire used to produce ASTM F3204 welded wire panels.
- The chain link fabric zinc coating provides 20-33% greater lifetime protection to red rust when compared to the zinc coating applied to welded wire panels listed in ASTM F3204. There is also a 2 oz. zinc coating option available with chain link that provides 220% greater lifetime protection.
HOW TO ENSURE THE MOST EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR FACILITY
The Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI) has developed several tools to assist infrastructure professionals and agencies in determining and designing the most appropriate and cost-effective systems to meet their needs. These tools include:
Technical Guides to Ensure Top Quality, Cost-Effective Design, and Installation
Guide for Specifying High-Security Chain Link Fence and Gates Per Master Format 32 31 13.53 (CLF HSF 0518) This document is the newest tool available to help decision-makers and their security team be certain that they will get the most out of their perimeter security investment
Tested and Proven Performance of Security Grade Chain (CLF- TP0211) With this 12-page report security and fence professionals have the information and test data needed to specify and select security grade chain link fence systems based on the time required for forced entry penetration or its ability to protect people and property from vehicular impact. These testing results provide the data to make a well informed, logical decision.
CLFMI Product Manual (CLF-PM0610) This 32-page guidebook provides the user with the nationally-recognized standards of quality for chain link fence fabric and framework. References all applicable ASTM and federal standards.
Wind Load Guide for The Selection of Line Post Spacing and Size (WLG2445) The 32-page guide for architects, specifiers, and engineers with information on the factors that influence the size and spacing of line posts. Includes 12 tables to help determine appropriate line post spacings in various wind load conditions.
Guide to High-Security Chain Link Manufacturers and Suppliers CLFMI’s Product and Service Locator can connect you and your team to the manufacturers, suppliers, and services who are committed to CLFMI standards of quality, service, and safety.
The Industry’s Best Technical Support
The CLFMI Technical Support Committee is staffed by a volunteer team of the most knowledgeable professionals in the global perimeter security field. They can help get your project back on track and make sure that you are aware of your best options for success.
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