Understanding HCIS Perimeter Security Classes

 

The High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) is the national body responsible for enforcing security, safety, and fire regulations at industrial sites and other important infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. HCIS has implemented a classification system and has put in place a Class 1–Class 4 classification scheme for perimeter security.

Understanding the differences between the various HCIS perimeter security classes is essential for a number of reasons:

• Risk assessment: Precise categorization aids in determining the right security protocols for a certain establishment.
• Resource Allocation: Effective resource allocation is made possible by having a clear understanding of the necessary security level.
• Compliance: Following HCIS guidelines guarantees that legal requirements are met.
• Asset Protection: Personnel and assets are protected when the right security measures are put in place.

Specific security standards are outlined in each class, taking into account the varying risk levels of various institutions. Before understanding the security measures let us first look at the perimeter covered in each class.

 

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HCIS Perimeter Security Classes

Class 1 Perimeter:

Any facility critical to the kingdom's economic stability and public welfare and whose loss would cause severe economic damage or endanger the public.
 

• Major oil & gas production, processing, transportation & export facilities including Gas Oil Separator Plants (GOSP), Oil refining & storage facilities.
• Major electricity generation, telecommunication  & water desalination facilities.
• Major commercial & industrial sea ports
• Major facilities using or producing chemicals whose flammability, explosiveness, toxicity and evaporability may cause serious harm to the environment or population if the facility is damaged or destroyed.
• Manufacturing & storage facilities for commercial explosives and all other explosive storage facilities.
• Infrastructure that supports, or contains facilities or services, that are deemed important to the national interest.

Facilities categorized under Class 1 require the most robust perimeter security measures. The primary goal is to deter, delay, and detect unauthorized access effectively. This class mandates a comprehensive security system capable of handling high-security risks.


Class 2: High Security

Any facility whose destruction or severe damage could cause a temporary setback to the kingdom's economy or would cause a brief economic downturn and inconvenience to the population.

• Minor facilities for hydrocarbon production, processing, transportation & export.
• Facilities using or producing chemicals whose relatively low flammability, explosiveness, toxicity and evaporability present medium level risk to the environment or population if the facility is damaged or destroyed.
• Major pumping facilities for oil and water.
• Major computer facilities that manage the above items.

While not as stringent as Class 1, Class 2 facilities still demand a strong perimeter security system. The focus here is on deterring and delaying unauthorized access, emphasizing the protection of assets and personnel.
 

Class 3: Medium Security

Any facility whose destruction or serious damage would have minimal or no impact on the kingdom's economy or the well-being of its people.

• Minor sea ports.
• Low capacity electricity generation.
• Minor telecommunications facilities.

Class 3 facilities require a basic level of perimeter security to prevent casual intrusions and provide a sense of security. The emphasis is on deterring unauthorized access and detecting intrusions.
 

Class 4: Low Security

Any facility that provides support services to Class 1, 2, or 3 facilities, regardless of whether it's located nearby or at a distance.

• Supply warehouses.
• Office support facilities.

Facilities classified as Class 4 have minimal security risks and require only basic yet effective security measures. The primary objective is to maintain a secure perimeter.
 

HCIS Class 1 Security Requirement 

 

A typical Class 1 perimeter consists of the following

• External Interface Area: The area outside the first line of defense (fence). This area includes a 4.6 meter outer patrol road & a 6 meter clear zone.
• Internal Interface Area: The area inside the fence. This area includes a 6 meter clear zone & a 4.6 meter  inner patrol road.

 

Considering the criticality of the Class 1 perimeters, the security measures adopted ensure a holistic approach to mitigate intrusion attempts of any kind. 

Deterrence & Delay:

• Anti-Personnel Delay Rated Fence:  An anti-personnel delay-rated fence is a specialized security barrier designed to prevent and slow down unauthorized access by individuals. It is built using materials and engineering techniques that make it challenging to cut through or scale quickly.

Key Features to look for:

• Certified Delay Time: The main purpose is to hinder intruders, providing security teams with more time to react.
• Material Strength: Constructed from durable, high-strength materials that resist cutting and climbing.
• Height and Design: Usually tall and equipped with deterrents such as barbed or razor wire to discourage climbing

What we recommend : A1 AKAT NG 30

 

A1 AKAT NG 30   A-1 AKAT NG 30 is a cutting edge rigid weld mesh system designed to reinforce perimeters with utmost priority on safety. It offers a minimum delay time of 6.4 minutes (aggressive threat level) surpassing the HCIS 2017 Sec 02 Directive requirement of 5 minutes and a maximum delay of 31.7 minutes (moderate threat level). Offering a great VISIBILITY INDEX (see through ability) A-1 AKAT NG 30 is a popular choice across the Kingdom. Learn More

• Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Fence: An HVM fence is a specialized type of security fencing designed to prevent vehicles from penetrating a protected area.

Key Features to look for:

• Crash Rated: The fence is crash rated in compliance with international standards like ASTM etc.
• Strength and Durability: Constructed from high-strength materials to withstand the impact of a vehicle. 

What we recommend : A1 Alcazar Anti-Vehicle Rope Barrier

 

A1 Alcazar Anti Vehicle Rope Barrier   A1 Alcazar Anti-Vehicle Rope Barrier is tested to offer a high level of protection against hostile vehicles. Capable of stopping an oncoming vehicle weighing up to 6.8 tons, traveling at a speed of 50 mph within a penetration distance of 1m, A-1 Alcazar Anti-Vehicle Barrier is HCIS Compliant with the Crash rating of ASTM F-2656 M50 P1. Learn More

Detection:

• Fence mounted Intrusion Detection: A fence-mounted intrusion detection system is a security technology that uses sensors installed directly on a fence to detect and alert against unauthorized access. These systems are designed to provide early warning of any attempt to cut, climb, or otherwise breach the perimeter.

Key Features to look for:

• High sensitivity: Accurate detection of even minor disturbances on the fence.
• Low false alarm rate: Minimizes unnecessary alerts and ensures system reliability.
• Redundancy mode: The system doesn’t stop working on failure on one or few components

What we recommend : Liminal K

 

Liminal K   An intrusion detection system that detects disturbance on different types of walls/fence. It also helps pinpoint the area of intrusion by generating an alarm.

 

• Volumetric Intrusion Detection: A volumetric intrusion detection system is designed to detect movement within a specific space. It creates a protective volume and any movement within that volume triggers an alarm.

Key Features to look for:

• Wide coverage: Protects a larger area compared to point detectors.
• Early detection: Provides timely alerts of intruders.
• Sensitivity adjustment: Allows customization of the detection zone.

What we recommend : Microwave Sensor

 

Microwave Sensor   It is a volumetric IP-based perimeter detection sensor for fencelines, open areas, gates, entryways etc. Advanced embedded digital signal processing helps discriminate between intrusion attempts and environmental disturbances.

Camera & Light Poles:

Camera Poles: Camera poles, also known as CCTV poles or surveillance poles, are essential for effective security and surveillance. They help in enhanced surveillance coverage providing wider viewing angle & obstruction free view.

Key Features to look for:

• Easy installation: Able to be installed in various locations/terrains
• Easy Maintenance: Can be maintained easily saving time and cost

What we recommend : A1 Tilt Camera Pole

 

A1 Tilt Camera Pole   A highly advanced camera support solution which utilizes a unique tilting mechanism to eliminate the need for climbing the pole during maintenance. Certified with ANSI/TIA-222G-2005   Learn More

Light Poles: Light poles are essential infrastructure that help illuminating the patrol roads and making it harder for criminals to operate in darkness.

HCIS Class 2 Security Requirement 

 

Similar to Class 1, Class 2 perimeter also consists of the following

• External Interface Area: This area includes a 4.6 meter outer patrol road & a 6 meter clear zone.
• Internal Interface Area: This area includes a 6 meter clear zone & a 4.6 meter  inner patrol road.

Class 2 perimeter depending upon the criticality of the perimeter can be secured with an Anti-Personnel Fence (AKAT NG 30) as first line of defense. For intrusion detection we can use a fence mounted intrusion detection system (Liminal K) and volumetric intrusion detection system (Microwave Sensor). This can be followed with Camera Pole & Light Pole. 
 

HCIS Class 3 Security Requirement 

 

Class 3 perimeter also consists of the following

• External Interface Area: This area includes a 6 meter clear zone.
• Internal Interface Area: This area includes a 6 meter clear zone

 

 

Class 3 perimeter uses a Chainlink fence as the first line of defense followed by two layers of concertina coils on top to deter climbing intrusion attempts.

HCIS Class 4 Security Requirement 

 

Class 4 perimeter also consists of the following

• External Interface Area: This area includes a 6 meter clear zone.
• Internal Interface Area: This area includes a 1.5 meter clear zone

Class 4 perimeter uses a Chainlink fence as the first line of defense followed by one layer of concertina coil on top to deter climbing intrusion attempts. 

Summarizing the Key Differences Between Classes

Feature	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4
Risk Level	Highest	High	Medium	Low
Security Measures	Comprehensive, advanced	Robust, strong	Basic, deterrent	Minimal, effective
Focus	Deter, delay, detect	Deter, delay	Deter, detect	Basic protection

Conclusion:

Implementing robust perimeter security is paramount for protecting assets, personnel, and operations. The HCIS classification system provides a structured framework for assessing and addressing security risks. By understanding the distinctions between Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 facilities, organizations can tailor their security measures to match the specific threats they face. A well-designed perimeter security system, aligned with the appropriate HCIS class, is essential for safeguarding against unauthorized access, theft, and potential breaches.

A-1 Fence Arabia specializes in providing HCIS-compliant perimeter security solutions, offering a range of products and services to meet the diverse needs of different facilities. We are a leading company in perimeter security solutions. We have a strong history of over 20 years specializing in high-security solutions that comply with HCIS standards in Saudi Arabia.