The following types of areas or facilities often are required by law to be fenced in with commercial fence, for safety and security reasons:
- facilities with open high-voltage equipment (transformer stations, mast radiators). Transformer stations are usually surrounded with barbed-wire fences. Around mast radiators, wooden fences are used to avoid the problem of eddy currents.
- railway lines (in the United Kingdom)
- fixed machinery with dangerous mobile parts (for example at merry go rounds on entertainment parks)
- explosive factories and quarry stores
- most industrial plants
- airfields and airports
- military areas
- prisons
- construction sites
- zoos and wildlife parks
- Pastures containing male breeding animals, notably bulls and stallions
- open-air areas that charge an entry fee
- amusement equipment which may pose danger for passers-by
- domestic swimming and spa pools