Important rules for South African households with electric fences

In 2023, South Africa published new regulations for electric fences, and homeowners who fail to comply can face serious consequences.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) published new safety requirements in June 2023, but many were unaware of the new rules as they were not widely publicised.

The new regulations, under SANS 10222–3: 2023 Edition 5.1, included clauses on electric fences for domestic pet control, strip grazing, game control, and specialised security fences.

Security company VisionDCI said that one of the critical updates involves the placement of frequency of warning signs on electric fences.

Warning signs must be placed over gates and at the corners of the property to ensure visibility and awareness. This also includes vehicle and pedestrian gates.

Although the maximum distance between signs remains ten meters in urban areas, the new requirements ensure that warning signs are more strategically placed for maximum effectiveness.

“While the maximum distance between signs remains ten meters in urban areas, these new requirements ensure that warning signs are more strategically placed for maximum effectiveness,” said VisionDCI.

Moreover, the new standard gives more details on proper grounding and earthing of electric fence systems, which are crucial to prevent electrical hazards.

This includes the requirement for conduits for cabling from the fence to earth spikes. The cables must also not be buried for inspection purposes.

The new standard also introduces updated protocols for testing and certification to ensure compliance with modern safety standards.

This includes regular inspection schedules and setting minimum maintenance requirements so that electric fences are in safe working condition.

“Enhanced testing methods for verifying the functionality and safety of electric fence systems post-installation are also specified, ensuring that these systems operate reliably and safely,” said VisionDCI.

The updated standard specifies using higher-grade materials for components like wires and insulators to ensure durability and safety.

“These updates focus on improving overall safety and ensuring better performance of electric fence systems, providing a more robust and reliable security solution,” it said.

What this means for homeowners

The security explained that the legislation for non-lethal electric fences dates back to the 1980s. However, electric fences were largely unregulated until they became the norm in cities and suburbs.

In 2011, the government published amendments to the Electrical Machinery Regulations within the Occupational Health and Safety Act to regulate non-lethal electric fences better.

These were designed to safeguard the public from dangerous fences and eliminate interference from poorly installed systems and inadequate earthing.

The amendments also stated that electric fence installers must undergo meticulous training before registering with the Department of Labour as Electric Fence System Installers.

“Customers should ensure that contractors supply their Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI) number to guarantee a compliant system.”

“Installer misconduct can be reported to the Department of Labour, and the chief inspector can cancel accreditation if necessary.”

Compliance with these standards is not only essential for safety but also key for insurance purposes.

Looking at a recent incident, VisionDCI said that a security company recently rejected a claim involving damage to an electric fence because the owner did not have a CoC or a surge protector installed.

Although having a CoC is essential, many insurance companies will further investigate whether installation meets the required standards.

“Should a customer fail to produce a certificate and the installation is not up to standard, there is a good chance their claims will be rejected.”

Security installation company LockFront Automation added that the new regulations place a greater responsibility on property owners to ensure that their electric fences comply with the law.

Non-compliance can also result in heavy penalties, such as fines or legal action.

When selling a property, a valid CoC is now also a legal requirement. This makes it essential for homeowners to keep their electric fences in good working order.