1. Inspect all sections of the fence to ensure that vegetation, rubbish, or any other debris is well clear of the fence line. Use systemic weed killer to contain vegetation growth.
2. Similarly check that stock, plant, pallets, or any other material or equipment associated with the customers business is kept at least one metre away from the fence. This will avoid damage and any possibility of it being used as an improvised ladder for breaching the perimeter.
3. Check the condition of the outer pipe and mesh fence ensuring correct spacings are maintained between it and the electrified fence wiring. Repair or re-tension if necessary.
4. Report to the customer any situation that will obviously result in damage to the fence, cause false alarms, and possibly jeopardise perimeter security. Make recommendations where appropriate.
5. With the system disarmed inspect and physically check all the posts, wires, insulators, strainers, gate contacts, crimps, joint clamps, warning signs, and any other equipment to ensure they are correctly assembled, functional, and secure. Pay particular attention to gate contact alignment and wire tension.
6. Clean all posts and insulators using a standard household detergent where necessary.
7. Check earthing and all lead out cabling from the energizer / monitor to the fence.
8. Physically check any external signalling devices such as sirens or lights associated with the fence security system.
9. After informing all site employees and the monitoring station (if applicable), activate the system for live testing.
10. Check polarity and record voltages on all wires in all sections of the fence. If there is obvious leakage in a section of fence use the Stafix Directional Fault Finder to locate the short and rectify.
11. Using a set of jumper leads create a temporary short on the line to test the alarm monitoring capability on each section of fence.
12. Check alarm outputs and signalling, including communication to any external monitoring station. Check that alarm response arrangements remain current.
13. Unset the system then open the equipment housing to check the case tamper and the battery voltage for charge.
14. Disconnect the mains power supply and check that the system continues to operate on battery only. Remember to reconnect the power pack after this test.
15. If the principle power source is solar energy check and clean the panel(s) and battery connections.
16. If possible give the customer a brief verbal report and complete the service log sheet before leaving the site. Follow up in writing with any recommendations and quotations for additional work or equipment outside that covered by the terms and conditions of the routine service contract.

Stafix electric security fence systems are manufactured and installed in accordance with the highest possible international standards. The technology is inherently reliable, tolerating a wide variety of environmental conditions without compromising its unique ability to deter and detect intruders. They should deliver years of trouble free service.

The main enemy of electric security fencing is neglect.

In spite of using materials with exceptional UV resistance and the beneficial effect of in-built features such as Dynamic Voltage Monitoring, electric security fences will gradually deteriorate over time if totally neglected. Corrosion, abrasion, weed growth, climatic extremes, and insect, animal , or human impact all combine to progressively reduce performance and therefore the effectiveness of the security system.

To maintain the effectiveness of an electric security fence regular service and maintenance is required.

The frequency and extent of the servicing is very much dependent on local conditions and the security risk. One would expect a high security military installation in hot and wet equatorial countries such as Singapore and Malaysia to require much more frequent servicing than the same fence located in the temperate environment of Western Europe for example. However there is no firm and fixed rule ; other conditions could just as easily reverse the above example.

The Intruder Alarm installers have long recognised the need for servicing their systems and offer contracts varying from annual maintenance for domestic alarms through to monthly servicing of high security systems. Copying the frequency of the Intruder Alarm service regime is a good idea given that the fence is often interfaced with the alarm system, and that customers are already conditioned to such routine servicing.

It may also be appropriate to offer a ‘system’ service contract similar to that for intruder alarms where the inspection and maintenance is limited to the equipment installed. Such contracts are appropriate where the business ‘housekeeping’ of a customer is clearly diligent. As that is not always the case it may be prudent to offer a more comprehensive service that includes some basic ground maintenance in the vicinity of the security fence.