Government & municipal fencing
Government fencing must meet the needs of the property, the approved plans, and the people responsible for operating and maintaining the site — from a municipal park to a utility property or a public works facility.
Fencing and perimeter security for public properties
Modern Fence Company provides fencing, gates, access control, and custom fabrication for qualifying municipal, state, federal, and other public projects.
Our government fencing capabilities include
- Municipal fencing
- State and federal project fencing
- Public facility fencing
- Government security fencing
- Utility property fencing
- Park and recreation fencing
- School and athletic fencing
- Public works facility fencing
- Chain link perimeter fencing
- Ornamental iron fencing
- High-security configurations
- Pedestrian gates
- Commercial vehicle gates
- Sliding and cantilever gates
- Automatic gate operators
- Keypad and card access
- Telephone entry and intercom systems
- Temporary fencing
- Fence and gate repair
- Custom metal fabrication
We review the plans, specifications, security requirements, site conditions, gates, and operating needs before preparing a proposal or bid.
The same system will not work around a park and a water facility
Government properties serve many different purposes — a park, municipal office, water facility, school, maintenance yard, or restricted government property each need something different.
Our goal is to provide a fence that follows the approved requirements while supporting the way the property operates.
Before recommending or bidding a system, we consider
- The purpose of the property
- Public access
- Restricted areas
- Required fence height
- Security level
- Vehicle traffic
- Pedestrian traffic
- Employee access
- Service and delivery access
- Emergency access
- Gate operating frequency
- Visibility requirements
- Privacy requirements
- Existing structures
- Utility locations
- Terrain and drainage
- Project specifications
- Required documentation
- Insurance and bonding requirements
Each project is reviewed individually
Some properties need a visible boundary and pedestrian gates. Others need heavier materials, controlled vehicle entrances, privacy screening, or additional perimeter-security features.
- City offices
- Public works departments
- Parks
- Recreational properties
- Athletic facilities
- Schools
- Utility facilities
- Water and wastewater properties
- Equipment yards
- Maintenance facilities
- Storage properties
- Public parking areas
- Administrative buildings
- Community facilities
- Public safety properties
- Other government-controlled sites
Chain link, coated systems and ornamental iron
Municipal chain link
Commercial chain link fencing may be used around parks, schools, athletic fields, utility properties, public works yards, maintenance facilities, equipment storage, water facilities, parking areas and restricted work zones.
- Galvanized chain link
- Black-coated chain link
- Different fence heights
- Different wire gauges
- Commercial posts and rails
- Bottom or mid rails
- Additional bracing
- Privacy slats
- Security toppings
- Walk gates
- Vehicle gates
A light fence should not be substituted where the plans or property use require heavier commercial construction.
Black-coated for public properties
Selected for visible public properties where appearance is important. It may work well around:
- Parks
- Recreation areas
- Schools
- Athletic facilities
- Public walkways
- Community properties
- Administrative buildings
- Landscaped municipal sites
The coating does not replace the need for proper material specifications, post foundations, and gate construction.
Ornamental iron for municipal properties
Commercial ornamental iron fencing may be used where a public property needs security with a more formal appearance — municipal offices, public entrances, parks, courtyards, administrative properties, walkways, community facilities, parking entrances and high-visibility boundaries.
- Custom fence heights
- Decorative pickets
- Specialty posts
- Finials
- Custom panels
- Pedestrian gates
- Vehicle gates
- Automatic entrances
- Access-control integration
- Specialty coatings
Some public properties require more than a basic boundary
Commercial security fencing may include:
- Increased fence height
- Heavier chain link fabric
- Smaller mesh
- Larger posts and rails
- Bottom rails
- Mid rails
- Additional bracing
- Privacy screening
- Approved security toppings
- Limited gate openings
- Controlled pedestrian entrances
- Automatic vehicle gates
- Keypad or credential access
- Camera integration
Security features should be designed as part of the complete fence system rather than added later without reviewing the supporting framework.
A gate must be designed around its actual workload
We fabricate commercial and government gates through our own metal shop. Our commercial and industrial gate capabilities allow us to coordinate the frame, support posts, hinges, rollers, hardware, operator, and surrounding fence.
Gate options may include
- Double-drive swing gates
- Single-swing gates
- Sliding gates
- Cantilever gates
- Chain link gates
- Ornamental iron gates
- Custom-sized gates
- Custom hillside gates
- Manual gates
- Automatic gates
Sliding and cantilever gates
Useful when a wide vehicle entrance is required, swing clearance is limited, the property receives regular traffic, stacking space must remain open, an automatic controlled entrance is needed, or a ground track would be difficult to maintain.
A cantilever gate requires enough room beside the opening for the full frame and counterbalance section.
Pedestrian gates
Pedestrian entrances should be separated from active vehicle gates when practical. A public-property walk gate may include card or keypad access, intercom, electric locking hardware, exit hardware, timed access, sidewalk connections and protective separation from vehicles.
Poor placement may encourage people to enter through a vehicle gate or create an unauthorized path around the fence.
Emergency access
Government and municipal fencing must not prevent required emergency access. Planning may need to address fire department access, manual gate release, power outages, operator failure, emergency credentials, required gate width, vehicle stacking and site-specific procedures.
Emergency-access details should be resolved before the gate and access-control equipment are approved.
Credentials give more control than a shared code
Automatic gates can help manage vehicle access at public works facilities, utility properties, administrative sites, parking areas, and other controlled properties. Access control systems help manage employees, contractors, service providers, visitors, and authorized vehicles.
A system may include
- Swing gate operators
- Slide gate operators
- Cantilever gate operators
- Keypads
- Card readers
- RFID readers
- Remote controls
- Telephone entry
- Intercom systems
- Vehicle detection
- Safety loops
- Photo eyes
- Camera integration
The system should reflect
- Number of users
- Employee changes
- Contractor access
- Operating hours
- Visitor procedures
- Multiple entrances
- Emergency protocols
- Reporting requirements
- Existing security equipment
The physical gate must move correctly before it is automated. A dragging or poorly balanced gate can place unnecessary strain on the operator and create repeated service problems.
Questions resolved before fabrication starts
Government work often begins with plans, specifications, and bid documents. Before preparing a bid, we may need:
- Project location
- Drawings
- Fence specifications
- Gate schedule
- Access-control requirements
- Addenda
- Alternates
- Completion schedule
- Insurance requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Site-access information
- Contact information
- Known property conditions
Incomplete or conflicting documents can affect the bid and project schedule.
Project documentation may include
- Licensing
- Insurance
- Workers’ compensation
- Project-specific bonding
- Approved submittals
- Material information
- Scheduling coordination
- Site-access procedures
- Safety requirements
- Inspection coordination
- Completion documentation
We do not publish license numbers, insurance policy numbers, access information, or other sensitive records on this page. Current documentation can be provided to the appropriate project representative when required.
Job-specific bonding
Bonding requirements should be identified during the bid process. The project representative should provide the required bond type, bond amount, contract value, bid deadline, project schedule, owner and contractor information, and required forms. Availability remains subject to project review and approval.
The sequence of work matters
We work with general contractors on qualifying municipal, state, federal, and public projects.
Our scope may include
- Perimeter fencing
- Security fencing
- Gates
- Automatic operators
- Access control
- Temporary fencing
- Custom fabrication
- Fence removal
- Repairs and modifications
Coordination may involve
- Concrete contractors
- Electricians
- Security providers
- Paving contractors
- Landscapers
- Utility contractors
- Masonry contractors
- Civil contractors
- Other trades
Columns, paving, power, communication lines, concrete elevations, and drainage can affect how the fence and gates are installed.
Our government fencing process
1
Project information
Property location and type, project owner, fence purpose, approximate length, required security level, gate and access-control needs, available plans, bid deadline and completion schedule.
2
Plan or site review
We review drawings, specifications, addenda and visible site conditions: fence lines, property access, restricted areas, entrances, existing fencing, utilities, grade, drainage, security requirements and other construction.
3
System recommendations
Materials, height, framework specifications, security features, gates, operation, access-control equipment and custom fabrication.
4
Written proposal or bid
Prepared on the approved scope, plans, and available project documentation.
5
Contract and documentation
Licensing, insurance, submittals, bonding and other required project documentation are provided to the appropriate representative.
6
Materials and fabrication
Materials are ordered, and custom gates or metal components are measured and planned through our fabrication shop.
7
Site coordination
Scheduling is coordinated around material availability, weather, property operations, other trades and site access.
8
Fence installation
Our crew installs the approved posts, framework, panels, fabric, security features, and other perimeter components.
9
Gate and access control
Vehicle gates, pedestrian gates, operators, entry devices, sensors, and approved access equipment are installed and adjusted.
10
Inspection and completion
The work is reviewed according to the approved scope. Documented concerns or corrections are handled through our internal work-order process.
Public work since 1950
- 01
Serving the region since 1950
We have provided fencing and perimeter-security solutions for more than 75 years.
- 02
Government project experience
Municipal, state, federal, and qualifying Department of Defense projects.
- 03
Commercial and industrial capabilities
Commercial chain link, ornamental iron, industrial fencing, security systems, gates, and access control.
- 04
Employee installation crews
Our primary fence installations are completed by Modern Fence Company employees.
- 05
In-house gate fabrication
Swing, sliding, cantilever, chain link, ornamental, and custom hillside gates from our own shop.
- 06
Custom metal fabrication
Selected steel, aluminum, and stainless-steel components for public and commercial projects.
- 07
Licensed, insured and warrantied
Licensed and insured for the work we perform, with job-specific bonding available when required. Installations include a one-year workmanship warranty subject to the contract terms — review our warranty information.
Public projects across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma
Modern Fence Company is based in Fort Smith and serves qualifying public projects throughout the region. Our primary service territory includes:
We also serve properties throughout Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, Le Flore, Sequoyah and Haskell counties. Our normal service radius is approximately 75 miles from Fort Smith; we may travel farther for larger municipal, state, federal, industrial, and specialty projects.
Municipal perimeters, public facilities and controlled entrances
Visit our project gallery for municipal chain link fencing, government security fencing, public facility fencing, ornamental iron systems, utility enclosures, athletic fencing, equipment-yard fencing, sliding and cantilever gates, automatic entrances, access-control systems and custom fabrication. Photographs of secure government properties are published only when approved and appropriate.
Government fencing questions
Visit our fencing and access control FAQ for more answers.
What types of government properties do you fence?
We complete qualifying fencing for municipal facilities, public works departments, parks, schools, athletic properties, utility sites, administrative properties, equipment yards, and other public facilities.
Do you bid municipal fencing projects?
Yes. We review qualifying municipal plans, specifications, schedules, and project requirements.
Do you work on state and federal projects?
Yes. Our experience includes qualifying municipal, state, federal, and Department of Defense work.
Do you install government chain link fencing?
Yes. We install galvanized, black-coated, commercial, industrial, and security-focused chain link systems.
Do you install ornamental iron for public properties?
Yes. Ornamental iron may be used at government entrances, administrative properties, parks, courtyards, and other visible public areas.
Do you provide high-security fencing?
Yes. Options may include increased height, heavier materials, security-focused mesh, additional rails, bracing, security toppings, and controlled gates.
Can you install barbed wire?
Approved security toppings may be available when included in the plans and appropriate for the property.
Do you fabricate government gates?
Yes. We fabricate swing, sliding, cantilever, chain link, ornamental, and custom-sized gates in our own shop.
Can government gates be automated?
Yes. We install automatic operators for qualifying swing, slide, and cantilever gates.
Do you install access control?
Yes. Options include keypad access, card readers, RFID credentials, cellular entry, telephone entry, intercoms, remote controls, timed access, vehicle tags, camera integration and pedestrian access controls.
Send the project information and we will review it
We will review the available information and determine whether the project fits our capabilities and schedule.
Provide as much project information as possible
- Project name
- Property location
- Project owner
- General contractor when applicable
- Bid deadline
- Plans and specifications
- Addenda
- Fence materials and heights
- Gate schedule
- Security requirements
- Access-control requirements
- Temporary fencing needs
- Existing fence removal
- Required project schedule
- Insurance requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Site-access restrictions
- Contact information for project questions