High Security in Cedar Rapids FAQ

Why is American Fence Company the premier security fence contractor in Cedar Rapids?

• Field Security Installation – Having installed over 200,000 running feet of razor wire, our Cedar Rapids security fence installation crews are knowledgeable about aspects of their industry. Because of this, we can build the security fence of your dreams in a timely manner.
• Security Maintenance – In addition to owning the Midwest’s largest gate operator parts inventory, American Fence Company performs fence service and repairs. We also service automated gates: one of the reasons why we are also Cedar Rapids’ #1 security fence contractor.
• CAD – When you hire American Fence Company for your commercial security in Cedar Rapids, you see how your products will look before installation. This is done via CAD drawings, which are put together by professional designers. You will see illustrations for all security fencing and gates ahead of time, so you can ask questions, request changes, and give your approval. Customer satisfaction is a top priority.
• Specialty Fabrication – In addition to be unparalleled in their expertise, our certified team of welders has access to a 10,000 square foot fabrication shop. With so much material and technology at our disposal, we can deliver a broad selection of special security systems, including crash barriers, sallyport systems, grenade barriers, shooting stations, explosion deterrents, and more. It is for this reason that clients such airports, prisons, and correctional facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA come to us when they need security fences.

What is available today in the high security industry?

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the demand for high security has increased around the world. Nowadays, security for Cedar Rapids airports, correctional facilities, data centers, and power plants include security fences, security gates, access control, barriers, and cable restraints. In setting up commercial security, here are a few of the most popular security installations today.

Vehicle Barriers: Vehicle barriers are categorized as either passive or passive. Both can be transported or fixed in place, depending on making, method of operation, or use. Some commercial barriers are dual-classified, meaning they meet requirements for both categories (e.g., fixed-active, portable passive, etc.).

Passive Barrier Systems: Passive barriers have no moving parts and are dependent upon energy absorption transmitted to their foundation. Examples include highway medians, guardrails, posts or bollards, reinforced fences, tires, and ditches.

Active Barrier Systems: Active barriers require action in the form of moving parts — equipment, personnel or both — to permit or deny vehicle entry. Examples include gates, moving bollards, active tire shredders, barricades and beams.

Portable/Movable Barrier Systems: Portable/movable barrier systems live up to their name in that they can be relocated if needed. They can be either active or passive. Please note that heavy equipment may be necessary for relocating. Examples include hydraulically operated, sled-type, barricade systems, highway medians, or filled 55-gallon drums that are not set in foundations.

Fixed Barrier Systems: Permanently installed/requiring heavy equipment to be moved or dismantled, fixed barrier systems can be either active or passive. Examples include hydraulically-operated rotation or retracting systems, pits, and concrete or steel barriers.

Cable Restraint Systems: Cable restraint systems typically consist of ¾” to 1 ¼” diameter cables installed at heights designed to catch and stop vehicular threats. These systems may be both certified or uncertified. Certified systems carry a K-Rating which boils down to how far a vehicle of specific size and weight traveling at a specific speed will stop once the vehicle has encountered the cables. The cables are strewn between posts to keep the system at a specific height. At specified lengths, the cables are terminated with the use of a deadman system.

Hydraulic Crash Bollards: These steel bollards, which can be recessed to ground level, rise in under three seconds. Used for stopping vehicles, these bollards work in conjunction with a simple three-button station or sophisticated security system. These easy-to-operate hydraulic bollards are presently used to protect United States embassies and federal facilities both domestically and abroad. So they’re equally useful as security in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Hydraulic Pop-Up Barriers: Immovable, these pop-up barriers sit at or below ground level and rise quickly to divert vehicular threats, and generally run the length of the drive. Our fence installers in Cedar Rapids can install these barriers on a temporary basis in less than 15 minutes.

Barrier Arm Gates: These barrier gates raise and lower with a large tubular steel boom that has a cable assembly running through the tube. Once in the closed position, the cable automatically is looped over a large steel saddle horn. These gate arms are available in electrical/mechanical or manual operation.

Crash Barrier Cantilever Gates: Designed to stop both pedestrians and fast-moving vehicles, these cantilever gates are common installations as vehicle restraints for airports in Cedar Rapids, IA. An electrical gate operator is required to move the gate at a speed of two feet per second, as required by the FAA.

High Security Prison Gates: High security prison fencing must be tall and devoid of gaps, and the gates foolproof. TyMetal Corporation’s Plus System triumphs as the nation’s leading overhead track fully enclosed gate system in correctional facilities in Cedar Rapids. Operated from a remote site, these gates are impenetrable to hands-on intervention. Complete with locking columns as well as fully enclosed track and chain assemblies.

Concertina Wire: Concertina wires is the most formidable form of “razor wire.” Used at most correctional facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA, and nuclear power plants across the nation. Please note that public safety must be taken into consideration before security installation in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Gate Access Control: Gate access control exists in many forms today — including fingerprints, retina scans, anti-passback, three strikes and tail gating. Entry devices also come in the form of personal PCs and telephone entry. With so many options, you can decide who can access your facility, at what time, and how often.

Whom do I need to contact for requirements on high security fencing, gates, and barriers in Cedar Rapids, IA?

Public facilities should start by contacting their primary agencies for requirements and specifications on security fencing in Cedar Rapids. In general, public high security applications are governed by specifications or specific intents (i.e. airports abide by the FAA, and nuclear power plants abide by the NRC). If you are aware of your requirements or are a private institution, feel free to contact any of our Cedar Rapids fence company’s service centers. We can help with design and installation. After all, with over 55 years of securing our nation’s federal buildings, prisons, nuclear power plants and airports, American Fence Company is the premier choice for fence contractors in Cedar Rapids, IA and the Midwest.

Can American Fence Company provide turnkey installation for my security fence?

Yes. As the #1 fence company in Cedar Rapids, we have all the experience, knowledge, and leadership needed to fabricate, install, repair, and maintain high quality security fences. If you hire us to install automated gate operators, you will also receive the gate and all necessary gate access control devices. Telephone entry, proxy readers, keypads, intercoms, etc. Our Cedar Rapids fence contractors will be brought onboard to put together telephone, communications, electrical, and site work of all kinds.