Steel mesh manufacturer Zaun has created an innovative upgrade for its ArmaWeave® weldless steel mesh high-security palisade fencing.
Research and development manager Adam Christie has devised an ingenious fastening method to allow installers to fix Zaun’s ArmaWeave® fencing panels to existing palisade posts and horizontal rails.
Retrofitting palisade posts with ArmaWeave®
As long as existing palisade posts are installed to BS 1722, they can now be upgraded with ArmaWeave® fencing, since the wind loading is almost identical.
The fixings also use existing bolt holes in the horizontal rails, so all that is needed is to drill six holes in the posts to secure vertical clamping members.
The vertical members can be extended to allow for a wide range of toppings, including concertina razor wire and electric fencing.
As ArmaWeave is self-raking and mimics the functionality of palisade. The panels can also be manufactured to match the height of the existing palisade fencing.
An eco-friendly and cost-effective upgrade
Regarding the new upgrade, designer Adam Christie says: "It’s eco-friendly and highly cost effective, as it requires minimal groundworks, no spoilage and no plant to dig holes as it utilises the existing posts and concrete foundations.
"We expect this upgrade option to be ideal for all sorts of sensitive sites in the rail, utilities, nuclear, data centre and industrial sectors.”
Installation
Four companies are accredited to install ArmaWeave®: Allens Total Perimeter Security, Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing, JB Corrie and Crime & Fire Defence Systems.
All have committed to training their site operatives in the installation methods for ArmaWeave® developed by Zaun over time to make best use of its unique high-security woven fabric.
Zaun established the installer scheme after increasing requests from customers to recommend contractors with suitable installation, quality and safety standards.
ArmaWeave® is produced on the world’s largest steel loom at Zaun’s West Midlands manufacturing base. It has unique properties that give it distinct advantages against more traditional welded mesh systems, such as panels that can be raked to accommodate slopes. Therefore, installers require the necessary skill sets to set this up.
The wire of the panels has a tensile strength typically more than double that of welded panels, so special methods are needed for cutting the panels during installation.
