If you are researching anti climb devices and solutions then you need to be aware of a number of important considerations. Maybe your aim is to bolster existing perimeter security, or maybe you’ve already experienced unwanted intruders coming onto your property. In this post we look at what you need to consider when selecting the best anti climb solution for your needs.
Define Your Objectives
Rather than rushing to purchase and install wall and fence spikes around your property its worth taking some time to define exactly what you want to achieve. Here are some questions that you should consider:
- Have you experienced issues with people or animals climbing where they are not welcome?
- Do you need to prevent climbing outdoors or inside a property or both?
- Specifically, what are the structures that you need to protect?
- Are there any aesthetic aspects of the proposed anti-climb solution that need to be met?
Identifying existing and historic climbing issues provides a valuable guide to the solution that’s most likely to be successful. For example, a school may be experiencing issues with students climbing onto flat rooftops. Or in another situation, unwanted intruders might be gaining access to a property by scaling fences and gates.
There are many situations in which keeping people out is vital for their safety and security as well as the security of materials and valuables stored on the site. For example, military establishments obviously have high level security requirements. Similarly, many commercial premises, mines, quarries and other locations can be very dangerous so its essential that people are kept out.
Structural Requirements
As noted, identifying the specific structures which need to be protected is essential. In many situations there may be a combination of multiple structures such as:
- Walls
- Gates
- Fences
- Poles
- Pipework
- Equipment housings
- Rooftops
When assessing the structures requiring protection its important to be aware of how they are built. Fencing, for example, can take many forms and site’s may use multiple fencing types around their perimeters. Make certain these details are assessed before committing to any specific anti climb solution.
Aesthetic Requirements
In many situations the appearance of the chosen anti climb solution must be considered. While nasty looking, aggressive metal spikes might be acceptable around a military base or a prison the appearance of these anti climb spikes would make them entirely unsuitable for schools, hospitals and most public buildings.
Aggressive or Non-Aggressive Barriers
As well as the appearance of a chosen anti climb solution its vitally important to consider the ways in which various anti climb solutions work.
Anti climb paint is a highly effective, non-aggressive anti climb solution that works extremely well in protecting walls and other vertical structures from unwanted climbers. It simply remains slippery, preventing climbers from gaining a foothold on the painted surface. Anti climb paint is generally only applied above head height as it can mark people’s clothes and its always essential to present prominent warning signs to tell people that anti climb paint is being used.
Plastic fence and wall spikes are available in a variety of designs. Prikla strip spikes, for example, are relatively harmless plastic spikes that are highly effective in keeping cats and other animals from climbing over fences. They also deter human intruders as although the spikes are relatively harmless, they are difficult to negotiate and will deter all but ther most determined intruders.
Some forms of plastic fence and wall spikes look like they are made from wrought iron (e.g. Stegastrip) and therefore present a formidable visual deterrent.
Spiked collars and downpipe covers are what’s needed to protect poles and pipework. If your assessment has determined you need anti climb protection around lamp posts or camera support posts then spiked anti climb collars will provide what’s needed. Similarly, if your assessment has identified external pipework that needs to be protected from unwanted climbers then downpipe covers are likely to fulfil your needs.
Aggressive looking rotating anti climb barriers such as Rotaspike and Vanguard present both a strong visual deterrent as well as a highly effective physical barrier. This form of barrier raises the height of the perimeter wall or fence and presents an unstable barrier which is very difficult to overcome.
Roller Barrier non-aggressive rotating anti climb barrier provides a highly effective anti climb solution which isn’t aggressive or harmful in its performance nor in its appearance.
Recommended Anti-Climb Solutions
Here are a few typical scenarios along with the anti climb solution that’s likely to be the most appropriate.
Anti Cat Protection
If you need to keep cats or other animals out of your garden or yard then plastic Prikla anti climb spikes are highly effective and widely used for this purpose. The same technique will help keep your animals in your garden or yard.
As with all anti climb devices, its important to present appropriate warning signage and only install at permitted heights.
Anti Climb Protection for Schools
Schools often need to defend their premises against unwanted intruders. They also often have low, flat roof structures which can be an irresistible temptation to adventurous young climbers. Schools and colleges often have various forms of external equipment such as fan housings or air-conditioning systems which can attract unwanted climbers. Spiked anti climb devices would be entirely unsuitable for these applications. Roller Barrier is by far the best solution, successfully installed at many educational establishments, protecting perimeters, preventing students from putting themselves at risk by climbing onto rooftops and protecting expensive equipment from potential damage caused by climbing.
Anti Climb Security for Military Establishments
Military bases and similar establishments need anti climb protection that’s highly effective and presents a strong visual deterrent. This is where aggressive looking metal anti climb barriers are entirely appropriate. If you take a look at many embassies around the world along with prisons and other high security environments you will see that they tend to rely on nasty looking metal spike based anti climb barriers.
Anti Climb Security for Hospitals
Hospitals and psychiatric treatment centres need effective anti climb protection with an appearance that will not cause any anxiety in their patients. Aggressive anti climb spike based solutions are entirely inappropriate for these situations. Roller Barrier is the most suitable option to choose and is already successfully deployed to many hospitals and treatment centres around the world.
Anti Climb Protection for Camera and Lighting Support Poles
Equipment support poles often attract unwanted climbers. Some people simply see the pole as a climbing challenge, others might want to steal the camera or other equipment mounted on the poles and in some situations poles can be used to gain access to adjacent premises. Spiked pole collars and anti climb paint provides an ideal and highly effective solution in these scenarios. But as for all anti climb devices its important to present clearly visible warning signs and only apply anti climb paint above head height.
Perimeter Wall Anti Climb Protection
Anti climb paint is widely used to protect perimeter walls from unwanted climbers. Its an entirely non-aggressive anti climb solution that’s been tried and tested in many different situations. Importantly, anti climb paint shouldn’t be applied to surfaces below head height and its important to prominently present appropriate warning signage.
Concluding Recommendations
When researching anti climb solutions for your property make certain you take a little time to determine exactly what you want to achieve, specifically what needs to be protected and whether there are any additional important requirements regarding appearance, safety and functionality. Taking time to plan your requirements will mean that you get the right solution that will provide many years of reliable protection.