Security Mesh™ was developed and introduced by AMICO in the late 1980s as a penetration barrier for use behind drywall finishes. In 2002, AMICO patented the Secura Clip®, making a system that designers and security professionals can count on to provide the highest levels of physical security.
AMICO SECURITY MESH™
AMICO Security Mesh has been installed for decades in government, commercial, and retail buildings all over the world.
AMICO’s patented Secura Clips® complete the system. Secura Clip® fasteners have a recessed center hole allowing the Tek screw to seat at the surface of the mesh and not create humps and bumps alerting intruders to the penetration barrier.
Secura Clip® fasteners provide over 68% more holding strength than standard screws alone.
Drywall is installed directly over Security Mesh™. No need for other materials for added intrusion protection.
AMICO has supplied numerous projects requiring mesh to be attached to both sides of the framing members.
Before
After
ASTM F2322 PHYSICAL ASSAULT TESTING
The AMICO Security Mesh™ ASM 2322 product line passes the ASTM F2322 Standard Test Methods for Physical Assault on Vertical Fixed Barriers for Detention and Correctional Facilities.These test methods cover requirements for a simulated physical assault on walls designed to incarcerate inmates in detention and correctional institutions.
It is the intent of these test methods to help ensure that detention security walls perform at or above minimum acceptable levels to control passage of unauthorized contraband or secure areas, to confine inmates, to delay and frustrate escape attempts, and to resist vandalism. While the test method is primarily designed for prison walls the performance criteria apply to many other security applications as well.
| Grade # | ASM Mesh available* | Number of Impacts** | Representative Barrier Duration Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASM 2322-1003 | 600 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | ASM 2322-1003 | 400 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | ASM 2322-1003 | 200 | 20 minutes |
| 4 | ASM 2322-1003 & 4003 | 100 | 10 minutes |
* Results only apply when installed on metal studs using Secura Clip® supplied by AMICO Security
** Number of impacts equally divided between 80lbs blunt impactor and 80lbs sharp impactor, applied in alternating sequences of 50 impacts each
Blunt Impactor
Sharp Impactor
ASTM F2322 testing
AMICO Security Mesh™ at test termination after 600 impacts
APPLICATIONS
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Commercial malls are a great application for AMICO Security Mesh™. While storefronts are often secured by shutters, the walls on the side and back of the stores are often simple drywalls. Break-ins frequently occur through those walls since they often border hallways or less secure stores.
- Banks and Credit Unions
- Cellphone Stores
- Jewelry Stores
- Electronics Stores
- Data Centers & High Value Storage Facilities
CELL PHONE & JEWELRY STORES
Standalone cell phone and jewelry stores in strip malls are also targets for break-ins. Similar to mall stores the front of the stores are usually very secure, while the back and side walls could benefit from the addition of AMICO Security Mesh™.
DATA CENTERS
AMICO Security Mesh™ enhances security to Data Centers and high value storage facilities by significantly increasing the breach times compared to traditional walls. Since attackers are not aware of the presence of Security Mesh™, they often give up upon encountering Security Mesh™. In data centers, Security Mesh™ allows the air flow required while providing a barrier that is difficult to breach anywhere in the wall or ceiling systems.
Also the additional time required to breach walls fitted with Security Mesh™ increases the time for law enforcement to respond.
CANNABIS INDUSTRY
The cannabis and recreational drug industry faces many security challenges. Security Mesh™ is ideal to increase the security of walls and to increase security of storage rooms within those facilities.
DETENTION and CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
AMICO Security Mesh™ has many applications in Detention and Correctional Facilities and other facilities with high security needs for example mental hospitals. The ASTM F2322 Grade 1 certified ASM 2322-1003 Corrections mesh offers architects a wide range of new design options as it is tested to offer equivalent physical assault protection compared to Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) walls.
With a wide range from the ASM 2322-1003 Corrections mesh to Minimum level meshes, AMICO Security Mesh™ can be specified according to specific security needs. For example a lower security level mesh might be acceptable in public lobbies.
COMPONENTS
ASM 2322-1003 Corrections
ASM .75-9F HM Super Max Security
ASM .75-9F Maximum Security
ASM .50-13F Maximum Security
ASM 1.5-9F Medium Security
ASM .75-13F Medium Security
ASM 1.0-16F Minimum Security
| AMICO Security Mesh | Weight per sq. ft. | Overall Thickness | Diamond Hole Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASM .75-9F HM | 2.38 lbs. | .140" | 0.6” x 1.7” |
| ASM .75-9F | 1.57 lbs. | .108" | 0.6” x 1.7” |
| ASM .50-13F | 1.26 lbs. | .072" | 0.3” x 1.0” |
| ASM 1.5-9F | 1.05 lbs. | .108" | 1.0” x 2.7” |
| ASM .50-16F | .77 lbs. | .048" | 0.3” x 1.0” |
| ASM .75-13F | .67 lbs. | .072" | 0.7” x 1.8” |
| ASM 1.5-13F | .51 lbs. | .072" | 1.1” x 2.8” |
| ASM .75-16F | .47 lbs. | .048" | 0.8” x 1.8” |
| ASM 1.0-16F | .38 lbs. | .048" | 0.8” x 2.2” |
| ASM 1.5-16F | .35 lbs. | .048" | 1.1” x 2.8” |
Tolerances: Short Way of Diamond (SWD) & Long Way of Diamond (LWD) 0 + 0.25” per 12” of width. Panel sizes: 4’ x 8’ standard, other sizes are available upon request.
MESH SELECTION
AMICO offers Minimum, Medium, Maximum and Heavy Modified Super Max Security mesh panels. The style of mesh can be determined by the overall level of security for the facility and other conditions such as response time by security or law enforcement. In general the overall mesh thickness and the size of the diamond opening determine the security level. ASM 2322-1003, the most secure Security Mesh, passes ASTM F2322 Standard Test Methods for Physical Assault on Vertical Fixed Barriers for Detention and Correctional Facilities at Grade 1, the highest level, Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 4. ASM 2322-4003 passes ASTM F2322 at Grade 4.
MESH FINISH
Security Mesh™ is supplied in a Mill Finish (HR P&O – Hot Rolled Pickled & Oiled) as standard. For special applications such as installation adjacent to shower or kitchen areas, Hot dip galvanized is available upon request.
FRAMING
Generally, vertical framing members are set 16-inches on center. Horizontal ceiling members are set 16 to 24-inches on center. As the requirements for higher levels of security arise the spacing of vertical framing can be reduced to 12-inches on center. 12-inch stud spacing is frequently specified with the ASM .75-9F Heavy Modified. The ASM 2322-1003 and ASM 2322-4003 Corrections panels have specific requirements to qualify for ASTM F2322 certification.
SECURA CLIP® FASTENERS
For best performance AMICO Secura Clip® fasteners need to be used. Install clips to metal framing using bugle head self-tapping screws penetrating the framing member a minimum of 3/8-inch. With wood framing use 1-5/8-inch drywall screws allowing the fastener to penetrate framing a minimum of 1-1/2-inches.
Standard spacing is 12-inches vertically per framing member for both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
PROJECT EXAMPLES
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INSTALLATION
AMICO Security Mesh™ Installation Drawing*
* Not suitable for ASM 2322-1003 Corrections mesh
AMICO SECURA CLIP® SPACING GUIDELINES
- Stud Spacing 16in (406.40mm) on center
- 24 Secura Clip® fasteners per 4’ x 8’ (1,219.20mm x 2,438.40mm) panel
- Secura Clip® fasteners spaced 12in (304.80mm) vertically
One box contains 300 Secura Clip® fasteners and weighs 3.5 lbs. per box
- Steel Stud Installations – Use self-tapping bugle head screws
- Wood Stud Installations – Use standard drywall screws
- Screws not included with clips
AMICO SECURITY MESH™ INSTALLATION NOTES
- Framing members should be no less than 20GA
- Security Mesh™ panels may be installed with diamonds running in either direction
- It is preferred to have mesh joints either staggered as in detail “A” or butt joined as in detail “B”
- It is acceptable to overlap mesh joints with owners prior written approval
- Panels shall join on framing members
- If panels join in between framing members, in any direction, adjoining panels shall be tied with 18GA tie wire at the same frequency as clips or welding
- STEEL FRAMING APPLICATIONS Secura Clip® fasteners are fastened to steel framing members with fine thread self-tapping bugle head self-tapping screws with a #8 shank long enough to penetrate the steel framing member at least 3/8”
- WOOD FRAMING APPLICATIONS Secura Clip® fasteners are fastened to wood framing members with 1-5/8” fine thread #6 shank drywall screws
CUTTING OF AMICO SECURITY MESH™ PANELS
On site, panels can be cut with a commercial nibbler, hand-held grinding with cutting wheel, circular saw with an abrasive or carbide tip blade, or cutting torch. When using grinding wheel and circular saw, anticipate sparks being emitted. It is not recommended to have panels sheared to size since each sheet will have numerous very sharp open diamonds creating transportation and job-site hazards.
Caution
Cutting of Security Mesh™ panels may be required for installation. When these steel panels are cut, the resulting open diamond is very sharp. Safety precautions are to be taken. Gloves and eye protection should be worn when cutting panels.
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES FIRE RATING
Underwriters Laboratories Fire Rated Assembles will not be jeopardized by using AMICO’s Security Mesh™ in the fire rated assembly (per U/L subject File #1857).
Additional Resources
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Installation
