Perimeter intrusion detection raises an alarm when someone approaches, climbs, cuts or crosses the boundary of a site, before they reach a building or equipment. We design and build perimeter systems that combine the right sensors for the ground and fence you have, divide the boundary into zones, and link each zone to cameras so an operator can see what caused an alarm and decide what to do about it.
A perimeter system is only useful if three things work together: detection, assessment and response. A sensor that detects everything but cannot be assessed produces alarms nobody trusts. A camera with nothing to tell it where to look relies on someone happening to watch the right screen. And neither helps if no one can respond in time. We start by asking what you are protecting, from whom, and how quickly someone can get there, and design back from that.
What we design and build
- Fence-mounted sensors that detect climbing, cutting and lifting of fence fabric.
- Buried sensors that detect a person crossing the ground along a boundary, with nothing visible above grade.
- Microwave and infrared beams across open approaches, gates and roof edges.
- Video analytics on visible and thermal cameras, and ground radar for wide open areas.
- Gate and entrance treatment, so that normal traffic does not leave the perimeter unprotected or generate constant alarms.
- Zoning, alarm processors, power, communications and integration with the security management or video management system.
- Security lighting and camera placement coordinated with the detection zones.
The boundary is divided into zones, each typically matched to a length of fence or ground that one camera, or one preset view, can assess. When a zone alarms, the operator knows where to look within a short stretch of the perimeter, and the video system can bring up that view automatically. Zones also let you set sensitivity to the conditions along each stretch, so a windy hilltop does not dictate the settings for a sheltered gate.
How it works
- Why, and against what. We start with what the site holds, the consequences of an intrusion, the likely intruders and how long a response takes. That sets how early detection must happen and how much delay the fence and barriers need to provide.
- Site survey. We walk the boundary and record the fence type and condition, ground and drainage, vegetation, terrain changes, gates, culverts and other gaps, nearby roads and rail, lighting, and existing cameras and cabling. We note the sources of nuisance alarms the design must live with: wind, wildlife, traffic vibration, snow and standing water.
- Design. We choose technologies zone by zone, set zone boundaries, place cameras and lighting for assessment, and design power, communications and integration. Drawings for permit are sealed by a licensed professional engineer where required.
- Build. Installation is carried out by licensed electrical contractors and qualified security installers. We review the work against the design, particularly sensor attachment, burial depth and alignment, which decide performance.
- Calibrate and test. Each zone is tuned and then walk-tested with realistic intrusion attempts, such as climbing, cutting simulations, crawling and running, and the results recorded. Nuisance alarm rates are watched through a range of weather where the schedule allows.
- Hand over. Operators learn how alarms and video appear, and maintenance staff get test procedures, settings and as-built drawings.
No perimeter system has zero nuisance alarms, so the response process matters as much as the sensors. Every alarm should be assessed on video, its cause recorded, and the records used to tune the zones. A system whose nuisance alarms are logged and investigated improves over time; one whose alarms are simply acknowledged will soon be ignored.
What to have ready
- A site plan or survey showing the boundary, fences, gates, buildings and utilities.
- Your security concerns and any incident history: trespass, theft, vandalism, copper theft or attempted entry.
- Who monitors alarms now, in house or a monitoring company, and how a response is dispatched.
- Existing camera, access control and alarm systems, with their make and model where known.
- Any insurer, regulator or corporate security requirements that apply to the site.
What you get
For a design: a zoning plan, technology selection by zone with the reasons for each choice, device and camera layouts, lighting coordination, power and communications design, and specifications a contractor can price. For a build: a tuned and walk-tested system with test records for every zone, settings, as-built drawings and operator and maintenance documentation. For a review of an existing system: a written assessment of detection gaps, nuisance alarm causes and assessment weaknesses, ranked by priority.
Where cameras are part of the system, we also point out privacy considerations, such as views that extend onto neighbouring property or public roads, so they can be addressed before installation.
Who it's for
- Utilities, substations, water and wastewater sites, and telecom facilities.
- Industrial sites, yards, storage compounds and logistics facilities.
- Data centres and other facilities where the boundary is the first layer of security.
- Owners with existing perimeter systems that produce too many alarms to be useful.
For background, read perimeter detection technologies compared, fence-mounted and buried perimeter sensors and perimeter detection with video analytics. For how the perimeter fits with building and interior security, see layered security design.
Common questions
Can we just use cameras with analytics?
On some sites, yes. Analytics work well where the camera has a clear view, good lighting or thermal imaging, and stable backgrounds. Where vegetation, weather or terrain make that hard, fence or buried sensors are often added, with cameras used to assess their alarms.
How do we keep false alarms down?
By choosing technology that suits each zone, installing it carefully, tuning it during commissioning, and logging and investigating every alarm afterwards. Vegetation control and fence maintenance help a great deal.
Will the system work in winter?
Canadian winters affect most technologies: snow buries beams and changes buried sensor behaviour, ice loads fences, and blowing snow affects cameras. The design and tuning need to account for this, and testing should be repeated through the seasons.
Who responds to an alarm?
That depends on your arrangements: on-site security, a mobile guard service or police, usually through a monitoring centre. Many police services expect alarms to be verified before they attend, which is one more reason to design for video assessment.