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GSEC · Question #161

Which of the following heights of fence deters only casual trespassers?

The correct answer is D. 3 to 4 feet. Physical security guidelines define specific fence heights for different deterrence levels against trespassers.

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Question

Which of the following heights of fence deters only casual trespassers?

Options

  • A8 feet
  • B2 to 2.5 feet
  • C6 to 7 feet
  • D3 to 4 feet

How the community answered

(59 responses)
  • A
    14% (8)
  • B
    10% (6)
  • C
    3% (2)
  • D
    73% (43)

Why each option

Physical security guidelines define specific fence heights for different deterrence levels against trespassers.

A8 feet

An 8-foot fence, especially when topped with barbed wire, is designed to deter highly determined intruders, far exceeding the casual trespasser threshold.

B2 to 2.5 feet

A height of 2 to 2.5 feet is too low to serve as a meaningful deterrent even for casual trespassers and is not a recognized security standard for perimeter fencing.

C6 to 7 feet

A height of 6 to 7 feet deters a broader class of intruders beyond casual trespassers, representing a higher security tier than the question specifies.

D3 to 4 feetCorrect

A fence height of 3 to 4 feet is the recognized standard for deterring only casual or unintentional trespassers - people who might wander in without deliberate intent. This low barrier provides a clear boundary marker but poses no real obstacle to a determined intruder, making it the threshold for casual deterrence in physical security frameworks.

Concept tested: Physical security perimeter fence deterrence levels

Source: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-116/rev-1/final

Topics

#physical security#fencing#perimeter security#deterrence

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