Buried Security System Alternative For Perimeter Protection

Perimeter security comes in many guises. Essentially it breaks down into the need for:

1. Monitoring & Management - provided by our Multisys™ Security Management System and Multiview™ Remote Monitoring System 

2. Detection - provided by our Flexiguard™ products

3. Deterrent - provided by our Electro-Fence™ electric fencing system

Our latest product -  Flexiguard™ Microwave Barriers - provides microwave intrusion detection and is particularly effective for monitoring open spaces. However, the case for microwave intrusion detection does not end there. These sensors are becoming the preferred alternative to a buried security system. 

Here are 3 reasons why:

1. Buried systems often incur a high installation cost

2. Consistency and quality of performance delivered by a buried security system can be adversely affected over time by the growth of nearby tree roots.
3. Ground conditions – eg. heavy snowfall or a concrete ground surface - can also interfere with the performance of a buried system.

There are numerous types of buried security system so it would be too much for us to list detailed comparisons on a system by system basis. However, here is a web page that talks about the disadvantages of pressure sensor devices which make up one type of buried security system

When a client asks us for intrusion detection equipment where a buried security system might be an option, we simply explain the modus operandi of our Flexiguard™ Microwave Barriers and its benefits and they reject the idea of a buried system. A good example of this is demonstrated in our last blog post about the single malt whisky barrels which needed perimeter security protection against siphoning. 

Perimeter Security For A Medieval Palace

Perimeter protection has played an important part in the lives of countless peoples and rulers the world over for many centuries. Our perimeter security blog post “Danger On The Perimeter”
a few months ago touched on this subject when we looked at the part that it played in the life of King Richard I of England.

Richard’s fabulous medieval castle Chateau Gaillard – an incomparable stone fortress in Normandy in its time – was testimony to Richard’s awareness of the importance of perimeter defence. This awareness was doubtless in Richard’s genes … his great-grandfather was a great believer in effective perimeter security and he instigated one of the greatest programmes of fortress building ever undertaken in a short space of time. Who was he? None other than William The Conqueror (King William I of England) whose motte and bailey castles ensured his kingship of England.

Perhaps the most important factor in motte and bailey castle design was the perimeter which was filled with water or wooden spikes and presented a virtually impossible obstacle to would-be attackers. William I’s building achievements, however, went beyond that and included churches, cathedrals and palaces, not just in England but also in France.

Within the walls of Caen Castle in Normandy, nestled in a quiet corner, you can today still see the remains of a royal palace …. William’s palace. It provided accommodation for the royal family along with a chapel and a ceremonial room. The Romanesque arch of the main entrance is a beautiful example from the early medieval era and visitors can stand before it and wonder what William might have thought as he passed through it.

Having supplied perimeter security for palaces ourselves, we recognise only too well why William chose to encircle his palace within the castle’s massive walls but we smiled when we saw this photograph (taken especially for us) ……..

Fencing on the perimeter of the most important and vulnerable parts of the palace ruins. Proof that William’s need for effective perimeter security is alive and well more than 900 years after his death.

Footnote: 25 December 2011 is the 945th anniversary of William’s coronation as King of England.

Securing The Single Malt Against Syphoning

Wherever you are in the world, there will be iconic products or buildings synonomous with your country or local area. Our Head Office is located in Stirling in the heart of Scotland and we occasionally have the opportunity to provide perimeter security solutions for intrinsically Scottish sites. One such site that we have written about before is the William Wallace Monument for which we provided security to protect the expensive floodlighting against theft – thus ensuring the wonderful monument is visible for miles around when darkness falls.

The words William Wallace may be instantly synonomous with Scotland but there are others which are even more so - such as “single malt whisky”. You don’t get more Scottish than that!

We were delighted to be of assistance recently when were asked by a Scottish distillery to help protect their empty whisky barrels. This was not protection against theft in fact, but against damage caused by intruders breaking into the barrels to syphon off the remnants of whisky lodged in the base. Apparently, thieves have been attracted to this idea because single malt whisky is so prized and expensive and, if they can syphon off a sufficient number of empty barrels, then the remnants add up to a sizeable quantity which they can resell on the black market – or simply enjoy themselves at their leisure!

So what, you might wonder, is the problem for the distillery if it’s not a lot of whisky being stolen? Well, quite simply, the barrels are aged and of a quality that is both difficult and expensive to repair or replace.

The solution we provided was to install our Microwave Barriers – a microwave intrusion detection system using microwave technology to create a protection zone. You can see one of the elements of our system here with the whisky barrels in the background. Scottish single malt protected by Scottish perimeter security – what a combination!