FFT Secure Fence

Installation Overview

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission
of Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.
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property except as expressly provided in any written licence agreement from Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.

2006 Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Printed in Australia.

Document Title: FFT Secure Fence Installation Overview

Document Number: M 9990 3006 015, Version 1.5

Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd., the Future Fibre Technologies logo, Secure Fence, Secure Link, Secure Pipe, FOSS,
FOSL, FOSF, FOPSS, and Foptic are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Future Fibre Technologies Pty Ltd.
Incorporated in Australia and/or other countries.
Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

2006 Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.

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Contents

How it Works.............................................................................4
Sensing Distances............................................................................................................... 5
Zoning ................................................................................................................................ 5
Interference Immunity........................................................................................................ 5
Intrinsically safe ................................................................................................................. 5
Interfacing .......................................................................................................................... 5

Secure Fence ............................................................................6

Attaching the Sensing Cable .................................................................................................. 7
Installing onto Weldmesh or Expanded Metal Fences......................................................... 12
Installing onto Palisade Fences ............................................................................................ 13
Lead-in Cable Installation ................................................................................................ 14
Terminating the Cables .................................................................................................... 14

Contact Details: ......................................................................15

2006 Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.

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How it Works
Future Fibre Technologies Microstrain/Locator technology employs singlemode optical
fibres as its sensor, detecting minute movements, vibrations and sounds acting on the cable,
and whatever it is attached to or buried with.
This Microstrain sensor is based on Interferometry, and two of the fibres within the sensing
cable form the arms of an interferometric sensor. Using a coherent laser, we send a
continuous light (not pulsed) down both fibre arms of the system. If there has been no
external motion, sound or vibrations acting on the fibres, the returning light on both arms of
the interferometer will look the same to the optical detector, and the result will be zero.
If there has been an external interference on the fibre (motion, sound or vibrations) then the
returned waveform will be changed and an interference pattern generated. The Sensing
Controller will detect this change and the FOSS software will interpret the effect as either an
intrusion event, or reject it as ambient conditions.

Inactive leadin cable

Start Sensor

Fibre optic sensing cable

End Sensor

Tx
Rx
Microstrain / Locator
Sensing Controller

Lead-out or
return fibre

Sensing fibres
(interferometer)

Fig 1: Secure Fence System

The Sensing Controller identifies the event and can, through the FOSS software, determine
the type of event. Using the unique recognition features in FOSS, we can minimise false
alarms created by ambient noise and events while ensuring >95% detection of intrusion
events.
FFT Secure Fence provides an unlimited amount of zones using 3 optic fibres within the
one cable, and is able to detect and locate multiple tampering or intrusions events in real time.
The Locator portion of the system will locate any intrusion attempt to within 25 meters (25
yards) on fences. This unique feature allows you to pinpoint the intrusion location on
perimeter fences up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) long. It also reduces the number of systems
required, since multiple fixed zones and the associated hardware are not required. It should
be noted that the return or Lead-out fibre can follow a completely different path in a different
cable it does not need to follow the same path as the interferometer at all.
Power is not required along the sensor, nor is the sensing cable at risk of damage from
electrical interference, lightning strikes, EMI, or RFI.

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Sensing Distances
A major advantage of using FFTs Microstrain/Locator technology is the consistency of the
detection response over perimeter distances of up to 80 kilometres or 50 miles (total optical
path length) 40km or 25 miles in a straight line - without the need for any external hardware
other than the fibre optic sensing cable itself.
For longer distances, simply network
additional systems together.
Of course, ultimately this distance is also dependent on the quality of the sensor cable (i.e.
cable losses), the quality and number of splices, and the overall quality of the installation.

Zoning
Via FFTs Central Alarm Monitoring System (CAMS), the system has the flexibility to be
configured either as a large single zone sensor or as multiple smaller zones. These zone
lengths are software configurable, so you can break down the one sensor cable into multiple
zones of varying lengths to correspond with the positions of CCTVs, lights etc. CAMS
interfaces to a Pelco P series and other manufacturers switchers, IP based CCTV cameras,
MODBUS control systems, and higher level security management systems via software.
If these zones are kept short and manageable, then it is much simpler to locate with greater
accuracy where a breach has occurred.

Interference Immunity
One specific benefit of fibre optic based systems is their immunity to electromagnetic
interference, particularly important for installations near high voltage electrical equipment, or
in areas subject to lightning strikes, electromagnetic pulses, strong magnetic fields, or RFI.

Intrinsically safe
Another important aspect is that no power, external electronics, or control hardware is
required in the field other than for the sensing controller located at the start of the sensor.
There is no power applied to or near the sensing cable itself, and the start and end sensors are
passive optical devices also requiring no power.

Interfacing
All Future Fibre Technologies systems have the flexibility to interface to a wide variety of
local or remote security management systems so that it can integrate with supporting security
technologies such as display systems, cameras, lights and audible alarms. Systems also
interface to Email systems, contact modules, and various applications running under Windows
or Linux via software development kits.
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Secure Fence
FFT Secure Fence utilises a fibre optic sensing cable that combines the characteristics of
both a piezo-electric transducer and strain gauge sensor, with a very wide dynamic range. It
is designed to detect disturbances generated by intrusions and attempted intrusions on a
chainmesh fence, while discriminating between normal ambient conditions.
Although the FFT Secure Fence system has been primarily designed to work on chain mesh
fences, it can be adapted to a wide variety of fence constructions including weldmesh,
palisade, barbed and razor wire. Chainmesh fences have an inherent flex and movement in
their construction that provides optimal sensitivity, performance and intrusion detection. The
Secure Fence system is very sensitive to these minute movements of the cable and the fence
fabric the cable is attached to. Through the use of intelligent signal processing, these
movements can be isolated from other environmental signals for clear identification, with
minimal false alarm rates. Secure Fence is already installed in well over 100 government,
military and industrial applications.
As you can see in Fig 2, to establish an alarmed fence line a single continuous FFT Secure
Fence optical fibre sensing cable is attached directly to a perimeter fence fabric using cable
ties and a Secure Fence Sensing Controller containing the opto-electronics, data acquisition
hardware and signal processing software, installed at one end of the fence line (section) to be
monitored in an internal control room. An inactive (non-sensitive) lead-in cable is installed in
conduit underground between the Sensing Controller and the sensing cable(s) on the fence.
The system can operate in a stand-alone mode, or FFT can supply CAMS (Central Alarm
Monitoring System) and integrate a number of these Secure Fence systems into the one
central monitoring unit for ease of operation.
Up to
40km

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Start Sensor
located in pit

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Fibre optic sensing

cable attached to fence

Inactive lead-in cable

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Chain wire
mesh fence
End sensor
located in pit

Secure Fence
Sensing Controller

Housed in
Control Room

Fig 2: Typical Secure Fence Configuration

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Attaching the Sensing Cable

The cable is attached to the chainmesh
fence using UV protected cable ties,
4.8mm wide, every 300mm or 12 inches.
When tightening the cable tie, the cable
should be held snugly, to prevent
sideways movement, but not tightly.
You must avoid sharp bends or pressure
points on the cable as they will cause
losses and become potential fracture
points in the future.
You will note in this picture that the fibre
sits in the grooves or indents formed in
the weaving of the mesh fabric 300mm
is about every 5 of these indents.

It is important that the fence and fence fabric be in good condition in order to minimise
false alarms. The fence posts must be firmly set in the ground, and the fence fabric
installed and tensioned to the manufacturers specifications or recognised industry
standards.
Depending on the clients installation requirements, the fibre optic sensing cable may be
installed on either the inside or outside of the chainmesh fence. The easiest installation by far
is to have the sensor cable on the outside of the fence, as there are no posts or poles to
interfere with attaching of the cable.

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Sensor cable

Cable ties
every 300mm
or 1ft.

Fig 3: Cable attached to outside of the fence

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If the cable must be installed on the inside of the chain mesh fence (the side of the fabric the
poles are on Fig 4), then as you loop the cable around the vertical support poles, you need to
allow enough slack so that if an intruder pulls in the fence fabric, the fibre optic sensing cable
is not stretched and/or damaged. The loops are normally around 100mm (4) high. If you
dont put these loops in and instead draw the cable tight, you may get false alarms.

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Sensor cable

Cable ties
every 300mm
or 1ft.

Fig 4: Cable attached to inside of the fence

It is important to protect the sensing cable from potential damage where it rises out of the
ground onto the fence, so installation in steel or metal conduits from the pit to the middle of
the fence is recommended. It is important that the steel conduit be sealed to prevent water
from entering the pit. In areas where grass and weeds may be at the fence line, regular
maintenance procedures - lawn mowers and Weed Eaters can quickly slice through or
damage an unprotected cable.

x x x x
x x x x
x x x x

Steel Conduit

Sensing cable

Pit
Lead-in cable

Fig 5: Steel conduit where cable comes out of the ground

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This installation is protected

by a single run of FFT fiber
optic sensing cable on the
inside of the fence with a
single Sensing Controller.
This provides a high level of
protection and provides a very
cost-effective and simple
installation that is easy to
maintain and monitor.

Fig 6: Sensor Cable installation

Fig 7: Cables Looping on Rigid Fence Bracing Points

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Fig 8: Attaching Microstrain Sensing Cable to a Chain link Fence

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Fig 9: Installing Microstrain Sensing Cable to the Corner of a Chain link Fence

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Installing onto Weldmesh or Expanded Metal Fences

Weldmesh or expanded metal fences are of a completely different construction and
mechanical characteristic to chainmesh fences. They are generally very stiff and offer little
fabric movement, and the sensor cable needs to be run slightly differently to detect and locate
on all intrusion attempts.

As a general rule or thumb, a single

cable arrangement (as indicated in Fig
10) on a weldmesh fence should
provide adequate sensitivity.
An
option is to run two straight cable runs
one run 1/3 of the distance from the
bottom, and the other 2/3 of the
distance from the bottom if the fence
is very tall or very rigid.

Fig 10: Weldmesh Cable installation

On a Securifor type of fence, a

single cable arrangement (as indicated
in Fig 11) will provide adequate
sensitivity.

Fig 11: Securifor Cable installation

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Installing onto Palisade Fences

With a Palisade style of fence as in Fig 12, the

sensor cable is installed in a conduit (either metal or
plastic) attached to the underside of the top rail.
This provides alarming on attempts to climb the
fence, unbolt the pales, spread the pales or cut them.

Fig 12: Palisade Fence Installation

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Lead-in Cable Installation

The singlemode lead-in cable

runs from the Sensing
Controller to the pit where the
start sensor is spliced on and
the sensing cable begins its
journey along the fence.
Normally
the
Sensing
Controller is located in a guard
post or at a central monitoring
point. The lead-in cable then
runs from here out to the pit
on the fence line in PVC or
other type of conduit.
Fig 13: Pit showing lead-in cable in PVC conduit

Terminating the Cables

Cables are normally broken out, fusion spliced, then the start and end sensors installed in
outdoor fibre closures or domes as shown in Fig 14. These domes or fibre closures are
normally housed inside a standard underground telecom type of pit (Fig 15). As with any
fibre optic cable installation, it is important to protect the splices from the ingress of water.

Fig 14: Outdoor Fibre Closure

Fig 15: Telecom Pit with dome

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Contact Details:
Australian Headquarters

USA Head Office

Sales & Support Offices

Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.,

10 Hartnett Close,
Mulgrave, Vic., 3170
Australia.

Future Fibre Technologies (US) Inc.

800 West El Camino Real
Suite 180,
Mountain View, CA 94040 USA

USA East Coast

USA Midwest
USA West Coast

Phone:
Fax:

Toll Free: 1-877-650-8900

Fax:
(435) 417-6671

Toll Free: 1-877-650-8900

Web: www.fft-usa.com
Email: info@fft-usa.com

Distributors Worldwide

+61 3 9590 3100

+61 3 9560 8000

Web: www.fft.com.au
Email: info@fft.com.au

2006 Future Fibre Technologies Pty. Ltd.

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