There are many anti climb devices on the market today including widely recognised wall and fence spikes. But there are many situations in which spiked barriers would be entirely inappropriate. In this post we examine both aggressive and non-aggressive anti climb solutions, highlighting what you need to consider.
What are Aggressive Anti Climb Barriers
It’s useful to clarify exactly what an aggressive anti climb barrier is.
Aggressive barriers take many forms including:
- Broken glass
- Barbed wire
- Anti climb spikes
- Razor wire
- Electrified barriers
Aggressive anti climb barriers often present an aggressive appearance and will potentially cause harm to an intruder who tries to breach the protection. Broken glass fixed to the tops of walls was once a commonly used anti-climb system but this has been superseded by other barriers including anti climb spikes.
Anti climb spikes take many forms. Some are designed to look very aggressive but are in fact relatively harmless. Whereas others, like various forms of metal anti climb spikes, are both aggressive in appearance and in performance.
Plastic anti climb spikes are often used in applications where its necessary to keep animals out of a space without the possibility of causing them harm. The plastic spikes present a barrier which is difficult for animals to overcome but will not cause them any harm. Plastic anti climb spikes of this type are often used around private yards and garden spaces.
Some forms of metal anti climb spikes are purposely designed to look extremely formidable and present a barrier which is almost impossible to overcome. These forms of anti climb barrier are commonly employed around military establishments, government buildings and other sites where both a strong visual deterrent and effective anti climb barrier is essential.
Barbed wire and razor wire are particularly aggressive anti climb solutions. Both present strong visual deterrence along with extremely effective anti climb prevention. Like aggressive metal anti climb spikes, barbed wire and razor wire is most commonly seen around government properties, prisons and correctional institutions.
Electrified fencing is typically employed in agricultural situations to keep animals within enclosed spaces. The current delivered from an electric fence is not high enough to cause harm, but will cause a great deal of discomfort. Electric perimeter fence toppings are sometimes used to increase the effective height of boundary fences and walls and present a strong, aggressive barrier. Electrified fence toppings are a form of aggressive barrier that generally appears to be non-aggressive. But signage is required to alert people to the fact that the fencing is electrified and it must be installed high enough to prevent people from easily touching it.
Where Non Aggressive Anti Climb Barriers are Best
Aggressive anti climb barriers clearly have a role to play. As noted, they are often employed around properties where a high level of reliable security is required such as infrastructure sites, correctional facilities and military establishments. But there are many situations in which effective yet totally non-aggressive anti climb protection is the best solution.
Anti Climb Protection for Schools
Schools and educational establishments often need effective anti climb protection to prevent unwanted intruders, protect roof spaces from children climbing onto them and to protect equipment such as air conditioning units.
Using any of the previously noted aggressive solutions, such as metal anti climb spikes or barbed wire, is out of the question. Children love to climb so they will inevitably come into contact with whatever barrier is put in place. If the chosen barrier can cause harm then there is a high risk that children will be harmed.
What’s needed in and around schools is an anti climb solution that works, doesn’t look aggressive and will not cause any harm if children attempt to climb on or over it. Roller Barrier provides the protection required which is why it is now successfully deployed in and around many educational establishments. If you take a look at some of our case study images you will see how Roller Barrier blends with existing structures and doesn’t turn a school’s grounds into what can look like a fortress if spiked barriers are used. Roller Barrier is not only used around school perimeters it’s also effectively deployed wherever anti climb protection is needed such as along the tops of gates, along the edges of flat roofs and on top of equipment housings which would otherwise be climbed on by kids.
Anti Climb Security for Hospitals
Aggressive looking spiked barriers and barbed wire would be totally inappropriate in and around hospital establishments. Psychiatric treatment centers, for example, often need anti climb protection to keep intruders out and to retain patients safely within their grounds. Using aggressive barriers would be totally inappropriate as their aggressive appearance can potentially trigger anxiety in some patients.
Once again, Roller Barrier provides the ideal solution, which is why many hospitals, treatment centers and other establishments are now relying on Roller Barrier to provide the protection they need.
Safe Anti Climb Solutions for Prisons
Correctional facilities are often surrounded by high perimeter walls and fences, topped with aggressive barriers such as razor wire, barbed wire or even electric fencing. But like psychiatric treatment centers, some of those in residence might experience anxiety if they encounter aggressive looking barriers so its important to only use these where there is no alternative.
Many correctional facilities need internal anti climb protection, to prevent inmates from climbing onto a variety of structures where they could hurt themselves or others. Roller Barrier is now widely recognised as the best anti climb solution in these and many other situations. Climbing onto flat rooftops, for example, is readily prevented by deploying Roller Barrier along roof edges. And internal equipment and other structures is protected from unwanted climbers by installing Roller Barrier. The versatility of the Roller Barrier solution enables its use in all manner of anti climb situations - from narrow, confined spaces to rooftops, fences, walltops and equipment housings.
Non-Aggressive Anti Climb Protection for Homes
The last thing most home owners want to see surrounding their properties is a threatening row of nasty looking, barbed metal spikes. While this will act as a strong visual intruder deterrent it doesn’t present a welcoming appearance. Home owners seeking an effective anti climb solution appreciate how Roller Barrier blends with the aesthetic appearance of their properties and doesn’t turn them into what looks like a fortress. Roller Barrier looks no more intrusive than guttering yet it provides an anti climb barrier that’s insurmountable by most would-be intruders.