Requirement of use

Typical perimeter fence with barbed wire on top.

The following types of areas or facilities often are required by law to be fenced in, for safety and security reasons:

• facilities with open high-voltage equipment (transformer stations, mast radiators). Transformer stations are usually surrounded with barbed-wire fences. Around mast radiators, wooden fences are used to avoid the problem of eddy currents.
• railway lines (in the United Kingdom)
• fixed machinery with dangerous mobile parts (for example at merry go rounds on entertainment parks)
• explosive factories and quarry stores
• most industrial plants
• airfields and airports
• military areas
• prisons
• construction sites
• zoos and wildlife parks
• Pastures containing male breeding animals, notably bulls and stallions.
• open-air areas that charge an entry fee
• amusement equipment which may pose danger for passers-by
• domestic swimming and spa pools