When people hear ‘detection,’ they often think immediately of passive infrared detectors (or PIR, common in building intrusion detection). However, large outdoor areas – such as in critical infrastructure, defense, amusement parks, or industry – are not always suitable for this type of detection. Weather conditions or local fauna can have an impact. In certain circumstances, such as high-security environments, the detection system itself must be invisible and thus difficult to sabotage. Many factors play a role in choosing perimeter detection. We are here to help you make the optimal choice.

Everything about Perimeter Detection

As risk managers, we are accustomed to thinking in scenarios. To get inside the mind of our adversary – the criminal, radical activist, or terrorist – and examine your vulnerabilities from their perspective. The first step in preventing these adversaries from reaching your building(s), where your people and valuable goods or data are located, is proper electronic detection. We work according to our OSVO principle for this. OSVO stands for Organize, Signal, Delay, and Respond. In short, this means we begin preparation with a Master Plan. Once the plan is developed and measures are implemented, we ensure that an attack is detected as early as possible. Then we must delay the intruders sufficiently to allow response teams to intervene in time. In the video below, we explain how this works.

In the example above, you see the measures at and inside a building. But in principle, perimeter detection works according to the same principle; only the measures themselves are different. There are various methods of electronic perimeter detection that can be valuable for your site security. Consider, for example, ground detection / seismic detection, field detection systems, fence detection, and (thermal) cameras.

Ground Detection

With ground detection, sensors can be installed in any type of soil or surface. When an intruder enters the area, this pressure difference is detected by the sensors, and the overarching security system receives a notification. Camera feeds can be automatically activated, and (automated) actions can be initiated (such as alerting responders, closing doors or gates, calling emergency services, activating lights or sirens, etc.). The major advantage of ground detection is that it’s invisible and cannot be sabotaged. It’s immune to weather conditions and electromagnetic and atmospheric interference. Moreover, anything statically present on the surface (cars, pallets, containers, etc.) has no impact on detection.

Field Detection

Field detection includes (Doppler) radar systems, infrared systems, and microwave systems. Their commonality is that they are installed above ground level and work on a line-of-sight principle, with a straight line between transmitter and receiver. They are installed on the inside of fencing/walls and follow your site’s perimeter. Their differences make them more or less suitable for your application. Active infrared systems emit a beam and are suitable from 25 to maximum 200 meters but are sensitive to fog, rain, frost/rime, and snow. They also don’t exclude small animals from detection. A radar system doesn’t emit a beam but creates a tunnel (of about 5-6 meters wide) and works with a volume measurement principle. Radar is immune to weather conditions and small animals. However, with a radar system, you lose 5-6 meters of space between transmitter and receiver, and the field must be free of large plants or bushes.

For high-security applications, a microwave system becomes interesting; this system works with fuzzy logic technology and follows the detection principle of volume change in an electromagnetic field. It’s suitable for distances up to 500 meters (depending on the type of microwave system) and is immune to weather conditions and small animals. Microwave systems can be very specifically calibrated and have very high detection reliability. Moreover, they cannot be masked. Digital microwave systems don’t interfere with radar from aircraft or military bases.

Fence Detection

Fence detection often combines deterrence (through a painful electric shock) with detection. As soon as someone climbs or tampers with the fence, this will be immediately noticed by the overarching access control system or Security Management System. Further escalation of this incident can thus be prevented by the site manager or security service. Fence detection is widely used in port areas, industrial sites, and larger retail environments, such as car dealerships. In environments where visitors are present during opening hours, the voltage level can be switched to low voltage if desired. This way, detection still occurs but without shocking. A safe consideration when children are on the premises, for example.

Camera Detection

Where traditionally cameras were mainly used for surveillance, they are now frequently used as detection tools thanks to the implementation of Video Content Analysis (VCA). Functions such as geofencing, person detection, and even facial recognition are very suitable for this purpose and can be excellently linked to an access control system, SMS, or PSIM system. Cameras with infrared illuminators are also very useful in darkness. A well-known IR technology used is, for example, Bosch’s Starlight technology.

When detection reliability in darkness is of the utmost importance, thermal cameras provide the solution. Even in complete darkness, these can detect living beings based on their infrared radiation. Technically speaking, a thermal camera is not a camera but a sensor, whose data is converted into a thermographic image. Even if an intruder hides in bushes in pitch darkness, they will still be detected by the thermal camera. Thermal cameras are extremely suitable for detection in high-security applications, such as critical infrastructure, military or political environments, and cash centers. But we also innovatively deploy them outside the high-security field; for example, as part of a fire alarm system as a heat detection tool at waste-to-energy plants or food producers.

If you don’t deal with these kinds of questions daily, you can easily lose overview. Our experts oversee both the big picture and the details and can advise you at every step, starting with a Master Plan. As with our Polygon Security Methodology, your site is clearly divided into zones, and for each zone and transition, a package of measures is established. All in line with your risks, wishes, and ambitions.

Management with PSIM

Detection and alarm verification in the field enables you to identify and respond to abnormal behavior of persons and forced entries in a timely manner. These systems and the technology for access control and access granting are brought together in a PSIM, where actions are taken according to pre-established protocols. This is an automated process where security officers are only deployed for human aspects and alarm response.

Standards for Perimeter Detection

Mactwin is a knowledge-based company. We invest significant energy in acquiring, sharing, and securing knowledge about explosion protection; both within our organization and externally. This is reflected in the expertise and dedication with which our experts implement your solution.

For perimeter detection in general, no specific standards are defined in the Netherlands. The Dutch Association of Insurers has established guidelines for site security in the logistics sector. These state that when using cameras, the NEN 50132 standard can be applied. However, a standardized product says nothing about the quality of your total defense. We ensure that all measures are built up in balance and coherence with each other, so you can always provide the resistance and delay that are important for your organization. Would you like to know how we go beyond where standards end?

Need more information? Get in touch with us!