Temporary Fencing Regulations for Construction Sites in the UK

Construction sites must be arranged to prevent unauthorised access and protect workers, visitors and members of the public. In many cases, this means installing a secure temporary fence or hoarding around the site boundary.

However, UK legislation does not prescribe one type of temporary fencing, one panel height or one standard installation for every construction site. The boundary must be suitable for the work being undertaken, the hazards within the site and the surrounding environment.

This guide explains the main temporary fencing regulations for UK construction sites, who is responsible and what should be considered when selecting, installing and maintaining a site perimeter.

Which regulations apply to construction-site fencing?

The principal legislation is the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, normally referred to as CDM 2015.

Under Regulation 13, the principal contractor must ensure that the necessary steps are taken to prevent access by unauthorised people. Regulation 15 also states that a contractor must not begin work unless reasonable steps have been taken to prevent unauthorised access to the construction site.

The client also has duties under CDM 2015. These include making suitable arrangements for managing the project and ensuring that those arrangements are maintained and reviewed throughout the work.

The wider duty to protect people who may be affected by construction work is also supported by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This includes members of the public, visitors, neighbouring occupants and workers who are not directly employed by the contractor controlling the site.

The legal requirement is therefore based on controlling risk. It does not simply require a contractor to purchase a particular type of fence panel and regard the boundary as compliant.

For a broader overview of fencing types, accessories, installation and site planning, read our temporary fencing guide.

Does temporary fencing have to be two metres high?

There is no universal rule stating that all construction-site fencing must be exactly two metres high.

The Health and Safety Executive explains that site boundaries should be physically defined by suitable fencing where necessary, and that the form of the perimeter should reflect the nature of the site and its surroundings. HSE guidance notes that, in populated areas, this will typically mean a two-metre-high small-mesh fence or hoarding.

A standard anti-climb mesh panel measuring approximately 3.5 metres wide by 2 metres high is therefore widely used for construction-site perimeters. However, its dimensions alone do not make the installation suitable.

The complete boundary should also be assessed for:

• gaps beneath panels caused by slopes or uneven ground
• gaps between panels, gates, buildings and existing structures
• loose, missing or accessible fence clamps
• the possibility of panels being lifted from their feet
• objects, skips or stored materials that could assist climbing
• stability in foreseeable weather conditions
• whether children or other vulnerable people are likely to be nearby
• security when the site is unattended

In other words, a two-metre panel may be an appropriate starting point, but the whole perimeter arrangement must remain suitable for the assessed risks.

What determines a suitable construction-site boundary?

The appropriate level of site security will vary considerably between projects. A short-duration project in a controlled industrial compound will not necessarily require the same arrangement as a residential development next to a school, footpath or busy town centre.

The assessment should consider both working hours and periods when the site is unattended. Gates left open during deliveries, panels moved temporarily for access or damage caused near the end of a shift can all compromise an otherwise suitable perimeter.

For a more detailed breakdown of clamps, anti-lift devices, gate security and common perimeter weak points, read our guide to securing temporary fencing against unauthorised access.

Should a site use temporary mesh fencing or solid hoarding?

Both temporary mesh fencing and solid hoarding can be used to establish construction-site boundaries, but they have different characteristics.

Temporary mesh fencing panels provide a visible, adaptable perimeter that can be repositioned as a project changes. Anti-climb mesh panels are commonly used where a secure boundary is needed without fully screening the site.

Solid hoarding provides greater privacy and restricts views into the site. It may be more suitable for sensitive, high-profile or public-facing locations, or where visual screening is an important part of the site plan.

The choice should not be based on privacy alone. Solid panels and fence covers significantly increase the area exposed to wind, which can change the required support, ballast and temporary-works assessment. Further guidance is available in our article on temporary fencing in high winds.

Some projects use a mixed arrangement, with mesh fencing around lower-risk sections and solid hoarding at entrances, public-facing elevations or particularly sensitive areas. Our detailed comparison of temporary fencing and site hoarding explains the differences in visibility, privacy, wind exposure, transport and typical applications.

Gates and controlled site access

Pedestrian and vehicle gates form part of the site perimeter and should not be treated as separate from the fencing assessment. An otherwise secure fence line can be undermined by an inadequately supported, poorly positioned or routinely unsecured gate.

Access planning should consider:

• how authorised workers and visitors enter the site
• whether pedestrian and vehicle movements should be separated
• how deliveries will be controlled
• how gates will be secured outside working hours
• whether the adjoining fence panels require additional support
• emergency access and evacuation arrangements
• visibility for drivers, pedestrians and site personnel

Different access arrangements suit different site conditions. Our guide to temporary fencing gates compares pedestrian gates, integrated panel gates, vehicle gates and the support required around access points.

Where reasonably practicable, pedestrian routes should be separated from vehicle routes. Gates must also be positioned so that vehicles entering or leaving the site do not create avoidable risks to people using nearby pavements or roads.

Temporary fencing inspection and maintenance

Construction-site fencing is not a one-time installation. It must remain effective throughout the project and should be checked whenever conditions or site activities could have affected it.

Typical inspection points include:

• damaged, bent or displaced panels
• missing, loose or incorrectly positioned clamps
• damaged or displaced fence feet
• panels that can be lifted or moved from the fence line
• gaps beneath or between panels
• unstable braces, ground pins, ballast trays or ballast blocks
• unsecured, misaligned or damaged gates
• loose or damaged fence covers
• signs of interference, climbing or attempted entry
• changes to ground conditions or nearby excavation work

Additional checks may be appropriate after high winds, heavy rain, vehicle contact, delivery activity or alterations to the perimeter. Any defect that compromises security or stability should be dealt with promptly.

Our temporary fencing installation guide explains the practical sequence for setting out and erecting a standard panel system. Site teams can also use our temporary fencing inspection checklist to structure routine perimeter checks.

Who is responsible for construction-site security?

Responsibility depends on the project structure, but it cannot be transferred simply by purchasing fencing from a supplier.

The client

The client must make suitable arrangements for managing the project and provide relevant pre-construction information. This should include available information about site boundaries, neighbouring land, access and measures needed to exclude unauthorised people.

The principal contractor

On a project involving more than one contractor, the principal contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase. This includes ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access.

Contractors

Contractors must not begin construction work unless reasonable steps have been taken to prevent unauthorised access. They must also plan, manage and monitor their own work so that it is carried out without risk to health and safety.

Site management

In practice, site managers and supervisors will often oversee day-to-day access, perimeter inspections and corrective action. The arrangements should make clear who checks the boundary, when checks take place and how defects are reported and corrected.

Frequently asked questions

Is Heras fencing legally required on every construction site?

No particular brand or proprietary fencing system is legally required. The duty is to prevent unauthorised access using measures appropriate to the site. Anti-climb mesh fencing is a common solution, but hoarding, existing secure boundaries or a combination of systems may be more suitable in some circumstances.

Must construction-site fencing be two metres high?

There is no universal statutory height for every construction site. HSE guidance indicates that a two-metre-high small-mesh fence or hoarding will typically be appropriate in populated areas, but the final arrangement should reflect the site and surrounding risks.

Can temporary fencing be placed on a pavement?

Do not assume that fencing, feet, braces or ballast can be placed on a public pavement without permission. Depending on the location and arrangement, approval or a licence may be required from the relevant highway or local authority. The installation must not create an unacceptable obstruction or force pedestrians into the road.

How often should temporary fencing be inspected?

There is no single inspection interval suitable for every project. The perimeter should be checked regularly and after events likely to affect it, such as severe weather, vehicle contact, deliveries, attempted entry or changes to the site layout. The frequency should reflect the level of risk and the likelihood of deterioration or interference.

Planning a temporary fencing system

A complete temporary fencing arrangement may include panels, feet, clamps, gates, anti-lift devices, braces, ground pins, ballast trays or stabilising systems. Not every accessory is required for every site, and the appropriate combination depends on the ground, exposure, panel type, access points and overall layout. Our guide to temporary fencing components and accessories explains the purpose of each part and where additional security or stabilising equipment may be needed.

You can also browse Wade’s temporary fencing panels and systems or compare temporary fencing accessories, including clamps, braces, ballast products and security components.

Authoritative guidance

• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• HSE: Protecting the public
• HSE: Principal contractor roles and responsibilities
• HSE: Contractor roles and responsibilities

This article provides general product and construction-site information. It is not legal advice, a site-specific risk assessment, an engineering specification or a temporary-works design.