Heras Mobile Fencing & Security
(0)808 164 2250
External security is essential in transport and logistics. No matter the value of goods on your site, keeping your operations and processes flowing is vital. To prevent theft and burglary, typically insurers will draw up guidelines for the security of your site. In this blog, Jan van Putten, one of our Key Account Manager at Heras, explains how to best meet the requirements of your insurer.
Criminal activity is an issue that companies in the transport and logistics sector must constantly confront. In recent years, when security has failed, thieves and burglars have been able to seize goods from company premises. Valuables have been stolen from trucks, and even fully loaded containers have been stolen from company premises.
To cope with this worrying development – and to limit the damage and disruption to transport and logistics companies – preventive measures are desperately needed. In addition to the guidelines of Transport and Logistiek Nederland, the Dutch Association of Insurers developed a guide. Using these standards, most insurers draw up conditions that you as a company must meet.
The measures that you must take depend on the value of the goods on your site. In addition, the sensitivity to theft of your products is an important factor. In the event of theft, how easy to transport are your goods?
Based on these criteria, goods are classified into four risk categories: low, medium, high and very high. Goods such as paper, cattle and furniture fall into the two lowest categories.
The category in which your company operates determines what an insurer requires from your external security. The higher the category, the more stringent the measures you must take.
These three areas for consideration will help you determine what measures you should take if you fall into the highest categories:
1. How do you secure your site externally?
If your company operates within the high or very high risk categories, your insurance requires a bar or steel mesh fence of at least 2.5 meters high, mounted with a blind connection or shear nuts. Bars are still common, but steel mesh is actually the best choice from a complete security solution perspective. With certain types of steel mesh fencing, you even ensure that it is virtually impossible to climb over the fence from outside. In addition, steel mesh fencing is in some cases also provided with special slots for hidden feeds of detection cables. This will be discussed more later in this blog. In addition, you can also protect the perimeter against digging tunnels. This can be achieved by asphalting around your site or by installing ground detection systems. Additionally, you can also partially bury the fence during installation, place a concrete retaining wall vertically under the fence, or mount concrete slabs horizontally against the fence.
2. Who has access to your perimeter?
The way in which access to your site is controlled is also an important part of the security of your outside area. Because how do you deny unauthorized access, while allowing suppliers, visitors and staff efficient and secure access? According to the guidelines of the Dutch Association of Insurers, your gates must be at least as high as your fencing. You also require the capacity to deal with different types of traffic on your site. If you give people access to your parking area, a barrier is sufficient to carry out checks. With freight traffic, you may want more information to guide suppliers directly to the right dock shelter. That is possible with a Speedgate and license plate recognition. It can also be achieved with a card reader or a biometrics scanner with, for example, fingerprint recognition. Are you unsure about choosing the right port? Then read our blog “Barrier, sliding gate or speed gate: what type of access protection fits your
situation?”
3. How do you identify intruders?
In addition to creating a physical barrier, detection is also essential if your company has identified increased risk of theft or burglary. Earlier it was indicated that steel mesh fencing is suitable for fencing based detection systems. These sensors detect unintended movements of, for example, climbing, sawing or cutting the fencing. After an automatic analysis, this information is sent as a report to a private alarm center. This form of detection can also integrate with an electric fence solution. Another form – or possibly an addition to fencing detection – is site detection. For example with radar systems, infrared sensors or an underground detection loop. There is even option for an intelligent camera system to get intruders directly in the picture.
All security solutions that have been discussed are also complementary to each other. With the right security for your outside area, you will deter intruders. Is there still potential for unauthorized entry to your site? Then you ensure with proper security that the intruders are considerably delayed. And that immediate action is taken remotely. Depending on your configuration, a site manager, security personnel or even the police will be called in immediately.
By following this simple guide you will meet the requirements of your insurer. As a result, your company is entitled to compensation in the event of any damage. And many insurers also reward you in reduced premiums for high quality security standards. This way, the external security of your site definitely pays for itself
Need advice and support with your perimeter protection solution? Request for a consultation with one of our experts.