How Pexco Fence Slats Help Texas Schools Set an Example
In the past few years, Texas Education Agency (TEA) updated the Texas Administrative Code §61.1031 to strengthen security at public schools. One of the most impactful updates involves the requirement for an “Exterior Secured Area”, meaning, a fenced perimeter designed to be difficult to scale. Specifically, the rule states that a compliant fence must be:
“At least 6 feet high with design features preventing it from being easily scalable (e.g., stone, wrought iron, chain link with slats or wind screen, or chain link topped with an anti-scaling device)”.
This language directly names chain link with slats as an approved design feature, placing Pexco’s Bottom Lock, Top Lock, Winged Slats, and Safety Top Caps at the forefront of practical, regulation-compliant solutions. This Texas based regulation is a shining example of a state prioritizing its citizens and places that should be the safest in our communities: schools and playgrounds.
Closing Gaps in School Perimeter Security
The TEA’s new rule is designed to keep unnecessary injury from occurring, to stop children from entering and exiting enclosed safe play areas, and to also stop unauthorized access before it happens. By requiring fences that are harder to climb and easier to secure, schools reduce the risk of harm to students and staff, intrusions, and theft.
Slats and top caps play a direct role in meeting the mandated requirements, transforming standard chain link into a compliant and safe security barrier.
Products Supporting School Safety Compliance
Pexco offers a complete suite of fence enhancement products that help schools meet the TEA’s anti-climb requirement, including privacy slats and Safety Top Caps. Together, they create a strong, tamper-resistant barrier that makes chain link fencing much harder to scale while improving safety for students and staff.
1. Bottom Lock Slats
These slats insert vertically into the chain link mesh and snap into a secure locking channel at the base. This prevents shifting over time and ensures coverage remains tight from top to bottom. This helps block both visibility and climbing access.
2. Top Lock Slats
Similar to the Bottom Lock in privacy given, however, these slats secure towards the top of the fence. This unique design allows the slats to be kept in place using locking strips, or by a continuous locking channel which makes the slats virtually tamper-proof and difficult to grip.
3. Winged Slats
Winged Slats have side extensions that spread into the diamond openings of the fence, covering more surface area. This not only increases privacy but also further reduces climbing opportunities, making them a top choice for maximum security.
4. Safety Top Cap and Safety Top Cap Lite
Pexco’s Safety Top Caps serve a dual purpose of security Enhancement and safety Protection. By covering the exposed top edge of a chain link fence, the Safety Top Caps remove a common handhold, making it significantly more difficult to grip and pull up over the fence. Safety Top Caps also shield students, athletes, and staff from potential injury caused by sharp or exposed wire ends at the top of the fence.
When combined with Pexco slats, Safety Top Caps create a fully integrated anti-climb system that addresses both the design features and safety maintenance aspects required under Texas Administrative Code §61.1031
Pexco’s slats also provide schools with significant secondary benefits that are not limited to:
- Noise Reduction – Helps dampen road and neighborhood noise, improving the learning environment.
- Wind and Dust Control – Acts as a windbreak, keeping dust and debris off play areas and sports fields.
- Custom Aesthetics – Available in a variety of colors to match school branding or blend into the environment.
Expanding the Safety Conversation Nationwide
Texas may be the first state to implement this kind of explicit “anti-climb” regulation, but it is unlikely to be the last. Schools across the country are paying closer attention to perimeter security, and proactive administrators can position themselves ahead of any future mandates.
Early adopters of enhanced fence safety send a powerful message to parents and the community: We put children’s safety first.
Implementing anti-climb slats now not only ensures compliance with potential future laws but also:
- Reduces the risk of accidents or intrusions before they happen
- Strengthens relationships with parents and guardians who value visible safety measures
- Demonstrates fiscal responsibility by upgrading existing fences rather than replacing them entirely
- Spreading budget impacts over multiple fiscal cycles rather than in one lump sum
- Avoiding last-minute installation rushes
Why Pexco Is the Right Partner for a Safer Perimeter
Texas’s updated §61.1031 School Safety Requirements clearly identify chain link fences with slats as an approved “anti-climb” solution. Pexco’s Bottom Lock, Top Lock, Winged Slats, and Safety Top Caps not only check the compliance box but also deliver lasting benefits in privacy, aesthetics, and environmental control.
Whether in Texas or anywhere in the nation, now is the time for schools, parks, daycares, and recreational facilities to strengthen their perimeters. The investment is small compared to the peace of mind it delivers. With Pexco, compliance doesn’t just meet the minimum standard, it sets a new one.
Ready to learn more?
Please visit our website at pexco.com/contact-us.