Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant Fencing: Height, Coating and Gates
Most chemical and pharmaceutical plants we fence end up with much the same perimeter: 3D V-mesh panels, hot-dip galvanized and then powder coated, about 2 m high. At Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical in Hebei we supplied and installed 2,000 m of it on our 3DG posts. The order went out in two 40 ft containers, 15 days after the customer placed it.
The Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical job
The site already had a low concrete wall along most of its boundary, so there were no post holes to dig. Each post stands on a base plate bolted to the top of the wall, and the panels clip on afterwards.
We did the work in two phases: August 2022, then June to August 2023. The fence is dark green with yellow posts, with one gate.
This was a domestic project in China. For an export delivery, see our Chancay Port project in Peru. More sites in this sector: our chemical industry case study (LNG plant areas) and pharmaceutical industry case study.
Why 3DG on a long run
With 3DG you can set out and fix the whole post line first, then hang the panels. On 2,000 m that matters more than it sounds. The panels hold on with clips and anti-theft bolts.
| 3DG | Range |
|---|---|
| Panel height | 1430–2430 mm |
| Panel widths | 2500 or 3000 mm |
| Wire | 4.5 / 5.0 / 6.0 mm |
| Mesh spacing | 50 / 55 / 65 × 100 / 200 mm |
| Post | 54.4 × 100 mm, 1.5 or 2.0 mm wall |
If the client cares more about a clean look than installation speed, we use 3DT instead. Its posts grip the panel in a groove, so no clips show.
How high, and what on top
Our usual proposal is 2.5 m installed. That figure can include a razor wire coil on top, which is normally about 0.5 m across. Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical went with 2 m.
Around higher-risk areas such as tank farms, some of our chemical-plant customers use 358 anti-climb mesh instead of 3D panels. The standard aperture is 76.2 × 12.7 mm (we produce 76.5 × 12.5 mm), small enough that the mesh is hard to climb or cut. See our 358 fence guide.
Coating
Every panel is welded first and then hot-dip galvanized as a whole, so the welds are coated too. What changes is the zinc weight, and whether a powder coat goes on top.
- Galvanized and powder coated: 80–120 g/m² of zinc, then 100–120 μm of polyester powder. The powder coat is a second barrier over the zinc. For chemical plants we propose at least 120 g/m².
- Galvanized only: 550 g/m² of zinc and no powder coat, because the zinc is then the only protection.
Zinc weight follows your specification, so tell us the figure your project calls for.
Gates and turnstiles
Trucks and people need different gates. For vehicles we supply ACG anti-collision gates, TCG trackless cantilever gates and TSG tracked sliding gates. For staff we supply FHT full-height turnstiles and SSG or DSG swing gates; a swing gate can double as an emergency exit.
Getting a quote
A site plan saves the most back-and-forth. Along with it, send the total length and height, the coating and zinc weight your spec asks for, the colour, how many gates and what kind, and the port you want it shipped to. Send us your site plan and we will reply with a quotation.
Questions buyers ask us
How high should the fence be?
We normally propose 2.5 m installed, which can include a razor wire coil of about 0.5 m on top.
What zinc weight do you use for a chemical plant?
At least 120 g/m², hot-dip galvanized after welding and then powder coated, unless your specification says otherwise.
How fast can you ship?
It depends on the quantity. The 2,000 m order for Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical filled two 40 ft containers and shipped 15 days after the order.
