Gallagher PowerFence system secures Ports of Auckland
“Community friendly”
To meet these requirements, POAL installed various types of PowerFence perimeter security.
SourceSecurity reports that a full height fence (2.4m to 3m tall) with chain link mesh guards the perimeter of various sites including the Axis Ferguson container terminal, New Zealand’s largest container terminal. This site features five-quayside container cranes, including two powerful post-panamax cranes, and 25 straddle carriers. It has a 600-meter berth with the capacity for two large or three medium-sized ships. Work on a 9.5 hectare extension to the terminal, which will increase the potential TEU capacity to 500,000 a year, was completed in 2008 and also secured with the PowerFence system because of its proven success.
An existing fence with heritage classification running along the city side of the Port had to remain untouched when securing this section of the perimeter. To preserve this piece of Auckland’s history, a full height PowerFence system was installed inside the heritage fence.
The heritage fence features a replica extension. This extension has a thirteen wire alarm monitored “topper” system. This structure inhibits anyone from breaching the perimeter and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance 2.1 km of the full-height PowerFence system secures various internal access points from visitors’ car compounds to the Wynyard Wharf.
A key factor in the decision to install a PowerFence system was that it is an intelligent system. It consists of independent fence zones which can be uniquely identified to accurately detect attack attempts to facilitate a fast appropriate response.
In addition, a core consideration for the port environment was the PowerFence system’s safety for employees and the public. PowerFence systems deter would-be intruders by delivering a short, safe shock to anyone trying to breach the fence. They are installed by certified PowerFence Dealers to meet stringent safety criteria.
Mike Gladman has commented: “The PowerFence (system) adds another layer of defense that has proved invaluable in the protection of this diverse site. We needed to be confident that the PowerFence system could operate in all weather conditions without false alarming, and the Gallagher PowerFence continues to deliver in the sometimes adverse conditions of the port environment.”
By upgrading to PowerFence Trophy FT in 2008, POAL was able to take advantage of the high level integration with the Cardax FT access control and intruder alarms system — another security system from Gallagher Security Management Systems already installed at POAL. The high level integration between the two systems means seamless site security is possible.
According to POAL, PowerFence Trophy FT delivers:
- Centralized control of multiple, distributed sites
- Configuration of unlimited fence zones, with high voltage readings available for each zone on a central monitor
- Site plans that act as a graphical representation of the site, and reflect the real time status of items
- Full alarms management, with the ability to channel all alarms from across distributed sites for appropriate action
- Comprehensive audit trail, and flexible searching and reporting options
- System division, enabling the system to be segmented for management and monitoring purposes
- Extensive operator privileges to control who can view and edit information
Key benefits of the PowerFence Trophy FT system for POAL are thus its scalability, network compatibility, integration possibilities, system architecture, and ability to implement electronic access control and intruder alarms.
Ports of Auckland is satisfied that the Gallagher PowerFence system really sends the message that they are serious about security. This is evidenced by the fact that other ports look to replicate the high international standards and security measures this world class Port has implemented.
