Well, around Halloween, I spent some time watching lots of Zombie films. But something kept bugging me. Several of the movies I watched had scenes with a group of zombies breaking through a variety of fencing. However, other films showed zombies completely incapable of breaking through the same kind of fencing, even in large numbers. So, I thought I would pose you all an interesting question: How many zombies do you think it would take to break through (knock over, destroy, ect), these kinds of fencing:

Barbed Wire Fence, like is used for cattle.

Chain-link, with or without barbed wire on top.

Iron Bar fencing, like you see in some neighborhoods.

Wooden fence, solid with no gaps between boards to see through.

I’ve seen all these done in films, with varying amounts of zombies required to take them down. I figure a barbed wire fence would just slow a zombie down, as they don’t feel pain and would probably get through it. All others I’m not sure on. Of course, all this assumes that these fences are about 6 feet tall, so zombies can’t just shamble over them, and that zombies can’t climb. I didn’t put brick or stone fencing, as I’m pretty sure that’s zombie proof it built tall and strong enough. Also, I’m guessing it would make a difference if it was a shambler or some sort of 28 days later rager zombie, so feel free to specify between them. Also, feel free to post any other types of fencing you want.

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I have no idea where it would be so. It all depends on how the fence was built. A chain link fence if all the posts where filled ( the holes ) with concrete would hold a lot better than most people want to believe. The uprights would have to be bent all the way down to get threw. This would also depend on how deep the post holes where made. If it was just deep enough to stand them up then it wouldn't take to many to knock it over. If they were deep ( 3 or 4 feet ) they should stay up fine. Solid wood would have the same thing. But many only have a few post holes filled with concrete. Any fence has the weakness of how it was built. I have replaced chain link fence that was ready to fall over by it's self. Build it strong and it will be.

I wouldn't put it past the iron bar fencing to hold back a good group of zombies. Depending on size, it would be extremely difficult to quickly pour over or break through the fence. It also depends on what you're trying to do. If you're just standing back there blowing heads off with a shotgun, I think this fence is the best, but if you're simply trying to block zombies, I agree with Bonanacrom with the chain link fence. Good question.

This information brought to your courtesy of the Refugee Management Administration. Further information available at: http://zombieprooffence.blogspot.com/

Standards based on Refugee Management Administration data collected from camps 7, 15, 23-31, and 42

Barbed wire:

• #of active zombies: 6-10
  
• Time to penetrate: < 15 minutes.
  
• Note: 1-2 will often slip through prior to fence failure.

Wood plank from the outside (against flats and posts):

• #of active zombies: 15-20
  
• Time to penetrate: 8-12 hours
  
• Note: Once failure condition exists (individual flats destroyed), total failure occurs in < 1 hour.

Wood plank from the inside:

• #of active zombies: 2+
  
• Time to penetrate: < 15 minutes.
  
• Note: Active dead quickly dislodge individual flats.

Chain link from outside (against link and posts)

• #of active zombies: 50-100
  
• Time to penetrate: 48+ hours (governed by arrival rate)
  
• Note 1: this assumes proper installation of posts: 36” depth with 8” poured footer.
  
• Note 2: penetration results from mob topping fence (utilizing ramp formed of other zombies).

Chain link from inside (pushing link away from posts):

• #of active zombies: 15-20
  
• Time to penetrate: 12-16 hours
  
• Note: standard chainlink is mounted to the posts by wire or clips at a small number of points. These points break under modest pressures, causing failure by separation of chainlink from posts. RMA recommends reinforcement by 1/2 inch cable at 24 and 48 inches to prevent separation.

Wrought Iron Bars

• #of active zombies: 75-100
  
• Time to penetrate: 48+ hours (governed by arrival rate)
  
• Note 1: this assumes proper installation of posts: 36” depth with 8” poured footer.
  
• Note 2: penetration results from mob topping fence (utilizing ramp formed of other zombies).

Note that recommended fencing types and installation methods resist breakthrough, but not overtopping by large mobs of dead. RMA recommendation is to clear fence line at least daily.

Seems like it depends on the zombies more than the fence... Fast crazy zeds, might not be stoped for very long by any of that... While foot-draggers may never get passed the chain-link.


But for the purpose of rating, say they have human strength, cant climb more than one leg up, and cant jump for crap.

Barbed wire, most of these fences have room for a person to climb between the wires... so one zed, slowed down for maybe 30 seconds.


Chain link, if posted well should take quite a few zeds to topple. I have seen vid of fences collapse under the weight of protesters/concert goers, and it seems like it takes near full coverage of a large section of fence, by people pushing on it. Most of these scenes take at least a few rows of people against it as well... But I think that is because the people in back are pushing the front people into the fence, not so much the front people doing it. So with determined zeds, I would say at least 10 - 15 zeds, all pushing, shoulder to shoulder.

BUT I have seen some heavy duty posts that would easily hold that... Industrial stuff I have seen, with thick 2.5" dia. posts, sunk in crete... might hold as many zeds as could line up against it.


Iron bar, if sturdy, shuld hold off a huge number of zombies... one issue may be they could crush themselves through the bars, especially the very bony ones.