SAFETY & SECURITY | SITE SECURITY
Flexible fencing for new nuclear sites
On-ground fence systems able to meet demanding security requirements have come to the attention of the nuclear industry. It’s an approach that reduces administrative delays and the physical installation risks associated with
traditional post-in-ground fencing, whilst also being easily relocatable as fence lines change during development.
By Tim Stewart, product development director, Blok N Mesh UK Ltd
ON-GROUND AND RELOCATABLE COUNTER-terror fencing originally designed to meet stringent security requirements for the many varied London 2012 Olympic venues is now being deployed to protect nuclear construction sites. With ‘no dig’ policies becoming the norm for sensitive sites like nuclear construction and logistics centres, the fencing system offers the same level of security as equivalent in-ground systems and is effective on soft undulating rural grassland as well as hard urban surfaces. Developed by Blok ‘N’ Mesh Global Ltd, the design
features ‘BNM’ concrete blocks that secure 358 prison weld- mesh in place. The modular system requires no ground excavation and is relocatable as required. Each 750 kg block includes integral fork lift slots to enable safer handling, and a central lifting pin recessed in the top which provides a facility to lift from above which assists when installers are faced with restricted manoeuvrability along the fence line. The kentledge blocks used for the fence have a 120-year design life and development has seen considerable efforts
being undertaken with regards to environmental concerns. The 50 Newton concrete block is manufactured using 60% quarry dust (an industrial by-product) to minimise environmental impact and does not contain reinforcement – making it much simpler to recycle. Part of a family-owned group of British companies founded in 1969, the Blok ‘N’ Mesh POLMIL®
range of
temporary fencing offers a number of benefits to nuclear facilities, including time saving deployment. From the point of identifying a project need for security fencing, there are multiple administrative procedures and assessments, by a wide range of different specialists, that have to be completed before installers can start digging post holes in the ground at nuclear facilities. These assessments cover concerns such as risk to underground services (existing and planned), environmental hazards (existing ground contamination, safe spoil disposal, making good when fence removed) and future site changes when the fence line needs to be moved as the construction/decommissioning
Above: Following trials at EDF’s Hinkley Point C power station, the company developed a hot dipped galvanised finish option to resist corrosion on exposed coastal sites
26 | April 2025 |
www.neimagazine.com
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