Despite the obvious fact that fencing is put in place to prevent access over a boundary line, it is often a requirement for fencing contractors to provide adequate means for entering and leaving a property that has been fenced off. Not only is this important for high-security areas around airports, docks and banking establishments — to name three — but many small businesses also frequently require it. In fact, a good number of Australian homeowners also choose their fencing based on the access control systems they can use with it.

If you want to fence off your property but still allow for swift access among authorised people, then what options are available to you?

Gates

Many fences are able to integrate seamlessly with fences. Palisade fencing, close board fencing and split rail fencing all come with lockable gates which will look like they are a continuous part of the boundary division and will, therefore, be barely noticeable as a point of entry at first sight. In a more obvious entranceway — such as in front of a driveway, for example — you may want a more clearly defined gateway to be installed, such as an ornate double-opening gate. Gates can accommodate both individuals or vehicles, and automatic gates can be installed which not only allow access when it is needed but restrict access when it is not.

Rising Arm Barriers

Although they are not seen in domestic properties very much, rising arm barriers have their place in agricultural places of work and in industry. Typically, they are installed with a boundary fence to prevent access to land or to a facility which would otherwise be open. They force drivers to stop and provide credentials while pedestrians may proceed unhindered.

Speed Gates

Although they are perfectly at home in outdoors situations, such as at sports stadiums, speed gates tend to be used to restrict access in fenced-off areas indoors. You often see them used for public transport infrastructure projects, for example. These usually have a swipe or near field radio frequency ID access control mechanism which allows large numbers of people to pass through with the necessary verification.

Turnstiles

Finally, fenced-off areas can offer one-way access through the use of a turnstile. Essentially, a turnstile is a gate which will only operate in one direction. They are consequently extremely useful for emergency access functions, perhaps to allow for a fire escape route out of a fenced-off zone while preventing unwarranted access to persons on the outside.