The Challenge

The British Embassy facility in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo underwent a major development project, which involved converting an existing group of buildings into a new residence and office complex for the ambassador.

The redev

The company had worked on British Embassy projects all over the world, and had regularly relied on Jacksons Fencing to deliver bespoke fencing and access control solutions designed to cater for the particular security requirements. Orostream and Jacksons had worked together on embassy offices in Montenegro, Belgium and Sweden, before collaborating on the Kinshasa installation.

For embassy buildings, effective perimeter security is of paramount importance, as they can be targets for extreme terrorist or militant activity.

At the Kinshasa site, crash-rated gates had already been installed to provide a ballistic-resistant entrance, capable of withstanding shots fired into the main compound while vehicles enter through the airlock configuration.

However, to prevent the efficacy of the gate from being compromised in any way, there was a requirement to incorporate anti-ballistic screens on both sides of the security gates.

The Solution

The agreed product of choice was a specially commissioned Barbican square pale security railing, which was clad with thick steel sheet to create a robust and impenetrable barrier. A pedestrian gate crafted to the same technical specifications was also developed.

The new gate represented a particularly complex aspect of the overall project, since the security locks needed to be sequenced to ensure they complied with the exacting requirements of all the other locks within the site. The geographical location of the project and communication issues made this a significant challenge.

Black polyester powder coated Barbican security railings were installed just inside the pedestrian entrance to provide a strong, secure but also aesthetically pleasing boundary. A matching standard Barbican gate was also installed to provide dedicated pedestrian access.

The ambassador’s private residence, which was sited within the embassy compound, had already been screened off using attractive louvered panels. Jacksons designed and manufactured bespoke double and single louvered gates to blend with the unusual fencing, to ensure an unbroken ring of security around the diplomat’s home.

A short run of tubular chain link fencing, which featured a top rail for added strength, was installed to the side of the tennis court to complete the newly refurbished embassy. This ensured the protection of children within the embassy grounds from any threat of danger from the adjacent road.

Finally, most of the gates installed at the embassy were fitted with digital code locks.

The Outcome

Chris Jones, manager of the Jacksons’ CAD team, lead the project from briefing through to completion. It took just four months to finish.

The assignment showcased Jacksons’ ability to accurately interpret a challenging brief, working with a number of third parties to develop a range of bespoke solutions compliant with all current safety and security guidelines.

In addition, the project demonstrated the company’s commitment to adhering to strict deadlines and managing complex shipping arrangements to ensure a highly satisfactory outcome for the client.