Homeland Security
TEXAS
CONCRETE-FENCE FIRM ANSWERS ENHANCED SECURITY DEMANDS AT U.S. UTILITY,
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
EULESS,
Texas - In the past two years, security has become a more acute concern
for government facilities, utility companies and businesses than at any
point since World War II.
Managers of such intrusion-sensitive
operations are scrambling to protect their power plants, water plants
and city and commercial buildings to address Homeland Security
recommendations and secure their workers and infrastructure. But many
are faced with the realization that the old standards they're using to
protect the perimeter of their existing or planned facilities, such as
the chain-link fence and traditional masonry, may no longer suffice.
So they're looking for something more
substantial and cost effective, but doing so at a time when faced with
stricter building codes, escalating costs, growing neighborhood concerns
and some of the worst budget constraints in decades.
Increasingly, one Dallas-Fort Worth
company is reaching out to meet the more demanding market with a
distinctive concrete-fence product that is literally rock solid.
Superior Concrete Products of Euless,
Texas, which makes and installs decorative precast concrete fences and
screening walls nationally, has enjoyed a spike in business at
water-storage facilities, electrical substations, waste-treatment
centers and other utility and government projects in recent months.
"Many municipal buildings and utilities
simply need better options for screening walls, perimeter walls and
sound barriers, to enhance both their security and privacy," said Barry
Stevens, vice president of sales and engineering of Superior Concrete
Product. "But more and more, they are forced to face tougher code
requirements, spiraling costs and the aesthetic concerns of neighbors.
We're finding that this product addresses all those concerns."
Intrusions are nothing new to utilities
and public-works departments, which experience thousands each year,
ranging from pranks to vandalism to theft, and even eco-sabotage. Add in
the prospect of a renewed wave of domestic terrorism and perimeter
protection has become a mounting concern for facilities that are
performing risk and security assessments.
Precast concrete walls, which are made of
steel-reinforced, high-strength concrete, can be integrally blended to
match surroundings, and are attractive, cost effective and provide
maximum security, said Stevens, who owns a Ph.D. in Chemistry. They can
be customized, tailored to different heights, and cost as little as half
that of masonry, depending on several variables, he said.
In recent months, the list of Superior
Concrete's government and utility customers has continued to grow. The
company has also done work for federal government facilities.
The company's precast walls need no
regular maintenance, says Stevens. And unlike masonry, which requires a
continuous foundation, the piers on Superior's precasts walls are set
at 5-foot intervals and can be strategically situated to easily straddle
underground lines without severing them. The 5-foot intervals also make
them very difficult to penetrate.
"We have never seen a vehicle go through
one of our walls, even along a busy highway," said Stevens.
Aside from creating secure and neighborhood-friendly fences, Superior's
products are designed to blend into their environment and integrate with
masonry, stone or wood elements, he added.
For more information, call 1 (800)
942-9255, visit
www.concretefence.com,
or write to Superior Concrete Products, 1203 Raider Drive, Euless, TX
76040.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAST FACTS: SUPERIOR
CONCRETE PRODUCTS INC.
Company:
Superior Concrete Products, a national firm based in Euless, Texas,
located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Designs, manufactures and
installs precast concrete fencing and screening walls in a variety of
styles and colors for use around municipal, utility, road, residential,
commercial and federal-government projects.
Products:
SUPERIOR-COBBLESTONE, SUPERIOR-STONE, SUPERIOR-BRICK, SUPERIOR-WOOD
PLUS, SUPERIOR-RAIL and SUPERIOR-FENCE, all functional fence and wall
systems that are designed to look like stone, wood or brick and blend
into their environment.
Uses:
* Developments, Commercial, Municipal facilities, Utilities and Road
Projects: Well suited for secure perimeter fencing and screening walls
around intrusion-sensitive facilities.
* Residential developments: Improves
property appearance and security while meeting masonry requirements and
conforming to, or exceeding, local codes.
* Commercial and industrial properties:
Provides a "neighbor-friendly" buffer between residential areas and
commercial/industrial properties, provides additional curb appeal and
security for its users.
Raw Materials:
Wall and rail systems are made of steel-enforced integrally colored
high-strength concrete. Concrete components are molded in Superior's
NPCA certified
12,000-square-foot plant in Cleburne, Texas.
Installation:
Company serves as sole contractor for its turnkey service, providing
design, engineering, permits, manufacturing, installation and warranty.
One crew can install up to 100 feet per day for a six-foot fence and up
to 75 feet for an eight-foot fence with no heavy equipment necessary on
property.
Maintenance:
Unlike conventional wood, chain-link and masonry fences,
precast-concrete fences need no periodic maintenance. They generally
look as good after 10 years as it does after 10 days. Precast walls
needs no painting, will not burn, split or warp, are designed not to
crack or shift with ground movement, and are impervious to termites and
easily repaired if damaged by collision.
Address:
1203 Raider Drive, Euless, TX 76040
Web Address:
www.concretefence.com,
Contacts:
Todd Sternfeld, President, or Barry Stevens, Vice President of Sales and
Engineering. Main numbers: (800) 942-9255 or 817-277-9255.
|
