Lesson III

Security, Hazards and Barriers

Physical Security
Physical measures are used to define, protect and monitor property rights and objects;
they consist of barriers and devices that are able to detect, impede, and deter potential security
threats. Physical security measures help to combat the crime related threats that both employees
and outsiders pose to the organization. (example; robbery, burglary, arson, assault, rape, theft
and vandalism). If measures are properly planned, most potential intruders, whether employees
or outsiders, should see that the risks of detection and punishment for attempting to penetrate
a protected area are significantly greater that whatever they may gain.

Security Hazard
-it is an act or condition affecting the safe operation of the facility caused by human
action accidental or intentional. It includes sabotage, espionage, pilferage and theft, disloyalty,
disaffection, and subversive activity.

1. Human Hazards- caused by person whether intentional or accidental.

2. Natural Hazards- those that are caused by natural phenomena that may cause damage,
disturbance, fear or problems to the humanity. This includes floods, typhoons, earthquakes,
storms, volcanic eruption, tidal waves, tsunami, lightning, etc.

Protective Barrier

Barrier
- any structure or physical device capable of restricting, deterring and delaying illegal access
to any installation.

Purpose of Barriers

1. Define the physical limits of an area

2. Create a physical and psychological deterrent to unauthorized entry
3. Prevent penetration therein or delay intrusion, thus, facilitating apprehension of intruders
4. Assist in more efficient and economical employment of guards
5. Facilitate and improve the control of vehicular traffic.

Types of Physical Barriers

1. Natural Barrier-Geographical features like rivers, cliffs, canyons or any other terrain that is
difficult to traverse.

2. Structural Barrier- these are features constructed by man regardless of their original intent
that tends to delay the intruders.
➢ Examples: fence, walls, grills, doors, roadblocks, screens or any other construction that will
serve as a deterrent to unauthorized entry.

3. Human Barrier- persons being used in providing a guarding system or by the nature of their
employment and location, fulfill security functions.
➢ Examples: Security guard and employees of the establishment.

4. Animal Barrier- animals that are used in partially providing a guarding system.

Compiled by: Jevee I. Ulibas, MSCJ

 ➢ Examples: dogs, geese. turkey, parrots.

5. Energy- it is the employment of mechanical, electrical, electronic energy imposes a deterrent

to entry by the potential intruder or to provide warning to guard personnel.
➢ Examples: protective lighting, alarm system and any electronic devices used as barriers.

Three Line of Physical Defense

1. First line of defense- perimeter fence or barriers

2. Second line of defense- doors, floors, windows, walls, roofs and grills and other entries to the
buildings.
3. Third line of defense- storage system like steel cabinets, safes, vaults and interior files.

Levels of Physical Security

1. Minimum Security- the system designed to impede unauthorized external activity such as
simple intrusion to armed attack.

2. Low level Security- system designed to impede and detect some unauthorized external
activity such as on small retail store, storage warehouse.

3. Medium Security- designed to impede, detect and assess most external activity and some
unauthorized internal activity that range from simple shoplifting to conspiracy to commit
sabotage.

➢ Use of advance intrusion alarm system

➢ Establishment of perimeter and perimeter barriers
➢ Use of an unarmed guard

4. High Level Security- designed to impede, detect and assess most unauthorized external and
internal activities

Principles of Physical Security

1. The type of access necessary will depend upon the number of variable factors and therefore
may be achieved in a number of ways.
2. There is no impenetrable barrier.
3. Defense in depth is barrier after barriers.
4. Delay is provided against surreptitiously entry.
5. Each installation is different.

Perimeter Barrier

-A medium or structure, which defines the physical limits of an installation or area to

restrict or impede access thereto. It refers to any physical barrier used to supplement the
protection of an inside perimeter.
a. Inside perimeter- a line protection adjacent to protected area and passing through
points of possible entry into the area such as doors, windows, skylights or other
points of access.
b. Outside perimeter-a line of protection surrounding but somewhat removed from a
protected area such as fence.
Compiled by: Jevee I. Ulibas, MSCJ
 Type of Perimeter Barrier

1. Fences- wire fencing can be barbed wire, chain link or concertina. Chain link are for permanent
structure, barbed wire is for semi –permanent, and concertina for the least permanent and can
also be used as temporary roadblock or impediment during strikes and crowd control. Wire
fences are attractive and low in maintenance cost; they offer fewer hazards to people because
of the absence of barbs, and the openings are small to prevent passage of pilfered.

2. Building Walls- walls, floors, roofs or their combination serve also as barriers and they should
be of such construction to provide uniform protection just like the wire fencing.
➢ Masonry walls as perimeter barrier should have the same height as the chain link and
surmounted by the barbed wire as top guard; if the height of the masonry is less than the
prescribed, additional chain link should be placed as “topping”.
➢ Walls can be made of stone slabs like adobe or hollow blocks bound by concrete with post at
regular intervals to prevent the walls from toppling due to wind or scouring facilities, security
must sit down with design engineers so that the area where sensitive activity will be done
should be given special emphasis in protective walls.

3. Bodies of water like river lakes, marsh cataract, sea pond or any other bodies of water forming
a part of the wall, building or fencing should never be considered adequate natural perimeter
barrier. Additional security measures like wire fence, concrete walling, security patrolling and
floodlighting at night may be necessary for the portions of the perimeter.

Types of Fences

1. Solid Fences

a. Visual access to the fencing is denied

b. It denies the opportunity for the intruder to become familiar with the personnel, activities and
the time scheduled of the movements of the guards in the installation.
c. It prevents the guards from observing the area around the installation and it creates shadow that
may be used by the intruder for cover and concealment.

2. Full-view Fence
a. Visual access is permitted through the fence.
b. It allows the roving patrols and stationary guard to keep the surrounding area of the installation
under observation.
c. It allows intruder to become familiar with the movements and time schedule of the guard
patrols thereby allowing him to pick the time that is advantageous on his part.
Type of Full View Fence
1. Chain Link Fence
➢ It should be constructed with 7 feet material excluding the top guard
➢ It must be 9 gauge or heavier.
➢ The mesh opening is not to be larger than 2 inches per side
➢ It should be twisted and barbed at the top and bottom
➢ It must be securely fastened to rigid metal or reinforced concrete.
➢ It must reach within 2 inches of hard group or paving
➢ On soft ground, it, must reach below surface deep enough to compensate for shifting soil or
sand.

Compiled by: Jevee I. Ulibas, MSCJ

2. Barbed Wire Fence
➢ Standard barbed wire is twisted, double strand, 12-gauge wire with 4 point barbs spaces in an
equal distance apart.
➢ It should not be less than 7 feet high excluding the top guard.
➢ It must be firmly affixed to posts not more than 6 feet apart.
➢ The distance between strands must not exceed 6 inches at least one wire will be interlaced
vertically and midway between posts.

3. Concertina Wire Fence

➢ Standard concertina barbed wire is commercially manufactured wire coil of high strength steel
barbed wire clipped together at intervals to from a cylinder.
➢ Opened concertina wire is 50 feet long and 3 feet in diameter.

Types of Perimeter Barrier Openings

1. Gate and doors- when not in active use and controlled by guard, gates and doors in the
perimeter should be locked and frequent inspected by guards. Locks should be changed from
time to time.
2. Sidewalk Elevator- these provide access to areas within the perimeter barrier and should be
locked or guarded.
3. Utilities Openings-like sewers, air tanks, and exhaust channels
4. Clear Zone- unobstructed area or a clear zone should be maintained on both side of the
perimeter barrier.

Additional Protective Barrier

1. Top Guard- it is an additional overhand or barbed wire place on vertical perimeter fences
facing upward and outward with a 45 degree with three to four strands of barbed wires, 6 inches
apart and must be stalled on the supporting arms.
2. Guard Control Stations- this is normally provided at main perimeter entrance to secure areas
located outdoors, and manned by a guard on a fulltime basis.
3. Tower- “Guard Tower”- are house-like structure above the perimeter barriers.
4. Signs and Notice- “Control Signs” should be erected where necessary in the management of
un authorized ingress and preclude accidental entry. Signs should plainly be visible and legible
from approach and in under standard language. Signs on entry should also be posted at all
principal entrance.

Compiled by: Jevee I. Ulibas, MSCJ