Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/48221
52 • DECEMBER 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS The Chain Link Fence Manufac- turers Institute (CLFMI) now has available on its web site "The Tested and Proven Performance (Using ASTM F2781 Testing Standards) of Security Grade Chain Link Fencing Systems." The paper reports on the re- sults of performance testing of chain link fence systems' deterrent, delay and protection capabilities against ASTM F2781 testing standards. According to the report's execu- tive summary, "By using ASTM F2781 testing standards, which com- pared security grade chain link's per- formance against that of a major competitive product, the security and fence industries now have data to ver- ify the effectiveness of security grade chain link fence products in deterring Results of performance testing for security grade chain link systems now available from CLFMI and delaying intruders in high security applications. The tests showed select security grades of chain link signifi- cantly outperformed their potential competitors in resisting low and medium force entry efforts, and one grade was comparable in High Ag- gressive Threat Levels involving pow- erful gasoline powered equipment. "In addition, impact testing (a 4,000 pound vehicle traveling 20 mph) has shown security grade chain link to be effective in absorbing the impact of a vehicle, which establishes it as an ef- fective safety barrier for parks, schools, and other public places," the foreword stated. The testing was conducted by one of the nation's most respected inde- pendent testing organizations, the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, and the empirical test data and finding of the testing shows: • Security grade chain link fence can be effective in deterring and de- laying intruders and providing protec- tion from vehicular impact in high security applications when properly specified and installed. (Design engi- neers should also adhere to ASTM guidelines for appropriate framework and fittings). • Properly specified and installed security grade chain link fence pro- vides superior resistance to both low and medium grade forced-entry threats and significantly outperformed a com- peting expanded metal [1/2"-13R (.188)] panel fence system in both cat- egories. • Security grade chain link offers different products, fabrics, and gauges for different levels of threats when es- tablishing perimeters and measuring performance in vehicular impact re- sistance. • Security grade, small mesh chain link fence is designed to preclude toe- holds and finger penetration, serves as an effective barrier to the passage of weapons, and provides good visibility for the detection of breaching at- tempts. • Subjecting security grade chain INSTALLATION SCHOOL FENCE AFA's Fence Installation School is geared to teach professional, standards- and best practices-based fence installation to new and less experienced fence installers. The Core Fundamentals Modules will have both classroom and field components and will cover: " I came here with zero experience and am leaving more confident and able in my current job capacity. Thank you. " Cost is $1599 for members, $2399 for nonmembers. For more information or an application, contact: " If you attend, you will outperform your peers and become easily identified as a fence professional. " link fence to ASTM testing standards through an independent testing organ- ization provides the security and fence industries with data and test results needed for good, defensible decision- making. According to "Security Planning and Design: A Guide for Architects and Building Design," a wide variety of tactics and techniques can be used to defend against a forced-entry attack ranging from high level to relatively low-level protection, but the main pur- pose of the perimeter is to detect and delay aggressors attempting to pene- trate a facility. The writer, Joseph A. Demkin, American Institute of Architects, went on to say, "It is not practical to harden a commercial facility to prevent pene- tration; therefore, it is imperative to coordinate the level of protection for these properties with the time of law enforcement response." Thus concluding that the level of protection (i.e., the specified time to penetrate) chosen for a property is often coordinated with the time re- quired for appropriate response. With this data, gathered through ASTM approved testing procedures, security and fence professionals can specify and select fence systems based on both the penetration delay time re- quired for an appropriate response by security personnel, and on security grade chain link's vehicular impact re- sistance capabilities. "While claims have been made by the producers of competing fence sys- tems about the performance of their products against chain link fence sys- tems, these testing results provide the data needed by security and fence pro- fessionals to make a well informed, logical decision," the summary stated. To download this report and for more information on CLFMI publica- tions, visit www.chainlinkinfo.org.