Anyone who wants to cordon off an area can hardly do without a suitable construction fence. You can find out here exactly where construction fences are used, what you should consider when setting them up, what variations there are and when you have to set up a construction fence.
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What Is a Construction Fence?
Often referred to as a mobile fence, it is a temporary barrier that serves to enclose, secure or cordon off a specific area. The construction fence owes its name to its most common application: securing construction sites.
What Are Construction Fences Used For?
They fulfill different functions depending on where they are used. The main tasks include:
Security and Protection
The primary function is to secure construction sites in order to prevent unauthorized persons from entering and to protect them from the dangers on the construction site. It also serves to protect passers-by from falling objects or open construction pits.
Theft and Vandalism Prevention
They protect valuable machines, equipment and materials on the construction site from theft and vandalism.
Privacy and Dust Protection
Equipped with special tarpaulins or nets, they can serve as a privacy screen to shield the construction site from prying eyes. At the same time, they reduce the spread of dust and dirt into the surrounding area.
Event Security
At concerts, festivals or other major events, they are used to direct streams of visitors, to demarcate security zones, and to control access.
Traffic Control
In the area of road works or at events, lower construction fences or barriers are used to guide pedestrians safely and to regulate traffic.
What Are Construction Fences Needed for in Connection with Mobile Heaters?
Mobile heaters are used on construction sites or in the event of heating failures, especially in the winter months. This is where construction fences have an important protective function. The construction fence serves as a safety barrier to ensure a sufficient distance between the heaters, flammable material or passers-by.
What Should Be Considered When Setting Up Construction Fences?
The professional installation of a construction fence is crucial for its stability and protective effect. Several aspects must be taken into account:
Stability
The ground must be level and firm to prevent the fence from tipping over. Unevenness must be compensated for. The feet, which are usually made of concrete or recycled plastic, must have a minimum weight of 16 kg to ensure the necessary stability. Additional supports are required for higher wind loads, for example due to the attachment of tarpaulins.
Connection of the Elements
The individual fence elements are firmly connected to each other with special connecting clamps. This increases the stability of the entire construction and makes it more difficult for unauthorized persons to open the fence.
Visibility and Marking
The construction fence must be clearly visible, especially in public spaces. This is achieved through the use of warning signs and, if necessary, additional lighting equipment.
Liability
The building owner or the construction company carrying out the work is responsible for the proper installation and safe condition. He is liable for damage caused by an improperly installed or defective fence.
What Types and Sizes of Construction Fences Are There?
They are available in different designs and sizes, which differ depending on the intended use.
Types of Construction Fences:
- Steel mesh fence: This is the most common form of construction fence. It consists of galvanized wire mesh elements that are placed in the designated feet. They are robust, durable and reusable.
- Wooden or sheet steel fence: These opaque fences offer complete privacy and are often used on inner-city construction sites or to protect against dust and noise.
- Barriers: These lower barriers (usually 1.00 m to 1.20 m high) are mainly used to guide crowds of people at events or to secure sidewalks.
Sizes of Construction Fences:
These standard dimensions have become established in practice to ensure easy handling and compatibility:
| Type | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mobile fence | 3.50 m | 2.00 m |
| Half-height mobile fence | 3.50 m | 1.20 m |
| High mobile fence | 3.50 m | 2.45 m |
| Privacy screen | 2.20 m | 2.00 m |
| Barrier | 2.50 m | 1.00 m |
When Is a Construction Fence Mandatory?
The obligation to erect a construction fence is regulated in various laws and ordinances. A general obligation always exists when a construction site poses a threat to public safety. This is particularly the case when:
- the construction site adjoins public paths or roads,
- there is a risk to passers-by or traffic (e.g. due to open construction pits, storage of building materials or the use of construction machinery),
- there is a risk of objects falling.
The legal basis for the obligation to erect one can be found, among other things, in:
- the Baustellenverordnung (BaustellV)
- the Unfallverhütungsvorschriften (UVV) of the professional associations
- the Landesbauordnungen (LBO) of the individual federal states
- the Richtlinien für die Sicherung von Arbeitsstellen an den Straßen (RSA)
A permit from the responsible authority (usually the public order office or road traffic authority) is generally required for the erection in a public space.
Sources:
JH Profishop. (seen on 10/09/2025). Bauzaun aufstellen: Vorschriften und Anleitungen.
Heras Mobilzaun. (seen on 10/09/2025). Wichtige rechtliche Vorschriften zu Bauzäunen entdecken.