Fibre Net - FRP Radio-Transparent Fences

Thanks to its wide experience in the field of composite materials, Fibre Net has developed a unique technology for the manufacture of a radio-transparent composite fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) fence suitable for airports and other industrial applications. This solution fully complies with ICAO standards, in terms of frangibility, radio-transparency and visibility, and can be designed according to the Civil Aviation Authority's dimensional specifications, which have been adopted by different countries.

Fibre Net is specialised in the development of new composite products for niche applications in different markets. These are based on internally developed technology and on the contribution of expert personnel who work in cooperation with customers to develop flexible, customized solutions that are fully compliant with specific requirements and standards.

Radio-transparent composite FRP airport perimeter fences

Fibre Net fence consists of radio transparent strong FRP posts, mesh, and accessories made of glass fibres that are impregnated with thermosetting resins and have high chemical and mechanical performances. Different kinds of fences are available, suitable to comply with any protection and fencing requirements. A typical perimeter airport fence that is 2,500mm high generally consists of:

• FRP mesh fabric (green), mesh dimension 33mm × 33mm, made of chemically resistant glass fibre impregnated with isophtalic polyester resin
• FRP posts (green) for the mesh fabric and protection wires (barbed or plastic wire) support, to be installed every 2m; each FRP post consists of a FRP pole, a top guard made of FRP double supporting arm and a plastic upper cap
• FRP cross wind bracings (green), to be installed perpendicularly to the fence
• Couples of FRP wind bracings (green), to be installed in line with the fence
• Strong point FRP wind bracings (green), to be installed in line with the fence
• Plastic polyamide wire to be installed and tightened along the posts and the top guard
• Plastic polyamide strips for fastening the FRP mesh to the posts and to the supporting wires

(Note: a concertina made of barbed wire can be installed on the outriggers, duly fastened to the arms.)

Advantages of FRP radio-transparent airport fences

Typical characteristics of the FRP fences produced by Fibre Net are:

• High chemical and mechanical resistance, even in very aggressive applications (marine and brackish areas, etc.)
• Electrical insulation and a-magneticity
• Radio-transparency: no interference with electronic control systems (ILS or other)
• No visual interference for the security personnel supervising the surrounding areas
• Good resistance to weathering (in particular, good response to brisk changes in temperature and severe environmental conditions) and UV rays
• Simple installation
• No maintenance needed, even in the long term
• Compatibility with most forms of access control
• Low-cost when compared with other radio-transparent fencing solutions
• High flexibility in compliance with specific requirements from different customers

ICAO-compliant and aviation authority-approved radio-transparent fences

Fibre Net fences can be used in sensitive airport areas, both internal and perimeter, in the presence of control instruments (ILS or similar), according to ICAO – Annex 14 Volume 1 'Aerodrome Design and Operations'. Thanks to their low mass and the frangible raw materials used, they also comply with ICAO requirements in terms of frangibility.

Specific technical solutions have been developed by Fibre Net to comply with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and foreign aviation authority standards; these bodies have already approved and adopted Fibre Net fencing systems in their national and international airports. Some special projects have been developed in co-operation with military forces.