Section 4154. Fence Materials.

4154.01 DESCRIPTION.
Materials covered by this section include woven wire farm field fabric, chain link fabric, barbed wire, steel fence posts, wood fence posts, tie and brace wire, gates, and special fittings.

All material shall be of the size and type designated in the contract documents and shall be new material meeting requirements of the following provisions.

4154.02 FIELD FENCE.
The fabric used in field fence shall meet requirements of ASTM A 116, Class 3 coating, or ASTM A 584. Fabric may be furnished in lengths greater than 20 rods (100 m). For Type 47 fence, the fabric design is ASTM Design Number 1047-6-11 grade 60 wire or 1047-6-12 1/2 grade 125 wire; and for Type 39 fence, the fabric design is ASTM Design Number 939-6-11 grade 60 wire or 939-6-12 1/2 grade 125 wire. When the type is not designated, one of the above 1047 fabrics shall be furnished.

The steel rod used for splicing fence material shall be galvanized as determined by visual inspection.

4154.03 CHAIN LINK FABRIC.
When chain link fence is specified in the contract documents, the fabric shall be either zinc or aluminum coated fabric. Unless otherwise specified, the fabric shall be 72 inches (1.8 m) high, and fabricated from No. 9 (3.76 mm diameter) wires. Fabric shall have the salvage knuckled top and bottom except as indicated. Zinc coated fabric shall meet requirements of ASTM A 392, Class 2 coating, and aluminum coated fabric shall meet requirements of ASTM A 491.

4154.04 BARBED WIRE.
Barbed wire shall meet requirements of ASTM A 121 for 950 pounds (4.23 kN) force minimum strand breaking strength and 4 barbs at nominal 5 inch (125 mm) centers. The zinc coating shall be at least 0.80 ounce per square foot (244 g/m2).

4154.05 BRACE WIRE, TIE WIRE, AND TENSION WIRE.
Wire used for wire braces and wire ties shall be galvanized wire meeting requirements of ASTM A 116, Class 3 coating, or an aluminum coated steel wire with a coating of not less than 0.25 ounce per square foot (76 g/m2). Tension wire used at the bottom of chain link fence shall meet requirements of ASTM A 641/641 M, hard grade, with a Class 3 zinc coating or an aluminum coating of not less than 0.25 ounce per square foot (76 g/m2).

Unless otherwise designated, the size of wire for the respective use shall not be smaller than the following diameters:

Tension wire
Brace wire
Tie wires or clips for fastening field fence to steel posts		 No. 7 (4.49 mm)
No. 9 (3.76 mm)
No. 12 (2.68 mm)

Tie wires for chain link fence shall be the size and type recommended by the manufacturer, but not smaller than No. 9 (3.76 mm) diameter for post ties or No. 12 (2.68 mm) diameter for rail and brace ties. Equivalent steel clips or aluminum wires or clips may be used if approved by the Engineer.

4154.06 STAPLES.
Staples used to attach fence to wood posts shall be plain, class 3 zinc coated, No. 9 (3.76 mm), 1 3/4 inch (45 mm) long wire staples, unless otherwise specified in the contract documents and shall be subject to approval of the Engineer.

4154.07 WOOD POSTS.
Wood fence posts shall be pine posts meeting the requirements of Section 4164 with pressure preservative treatment meeting the requirements of Section 4161. They shall be of the size and length designated in the contract documents. Unless otherwise specified, posts shall be round stock of the following sizes and lengths for the respective uses:

Use Length, feet (meters)
Line posts, 4 inch (100 mm) top
End, corner, gate, pull, angle, and brace posts, 6 inch (150 mm) top

7 (2.1 m)
8 (2.4 m)

When driving of line posts is contemplated, the tip of the post may have a blunt point. This point shall be near the center line of the post and shall be made before treatment.

4154.08 BRACES FOR FIELD FENCE.
Braces for field fence shall be steel angle or other approved bracing systems. Braces shall weigh (mass) not less than 1.94 pounds per foot (2.9 kg/m). Angles shall be not less than 2 inches by 1 1/2 inches by 3/16 inches (50 mm by 40 mm by 5 mm). All braces shall be as shown in the contract documents and shall have ends flattened to fit squarely against the posts with brace approximately horizontal. Braces shall be coated as required for steel line posts.

4154.09 STEEL LINE POSTS FOR FIELD FENCE.
Steel posts of T-section or other approved sections shall be used as line posts with wood posts, as shown in the contract documents. They shall not be used for corner, brace, pull, end, or gate posts. Only one type of steel post may be used in any installation 1,000 feet (300 m) or less in length. Posts shall be equipped with lugs or other approved means to prevent the fence fabric from moving vertically. Posts, exclusive of anchor plate, shall weigh (have a mass of) not less than 1.3 pounds per foot (1.9 kg/m). Each post shall be provided with a steel anchor plate of adequate size, firmly attached. After the anchor plate is attached, the finished post shall be completely painted with a prime coat and an enamel finish coat, with no limitation on color or tip identification except as provided for 1,000 foot (300 m) installations. This paint shall be thoroughly dry before posts are bundled for shipment. Unless otherwise specified, steel line posts shall be 7 feet (2.1 m) in length.

4154.10 STEEL POSTS, BRACES, AND RAILS FOR CHAIN LINK FENCE.
Posts, braces, and rails used with chain link fence shall be galvanized standard weight (schedule 40) pipe meeting the requirements of ASTM F 1083 of the lengths designated in the contract documents. Alternate cross sectional shape, material, or protective coating may be used if approved in accordance with Materials I.M. 454.10. Similar parts with different shapes or protective coatings shall not be intermingled within the project limits.

Protective coatings for steel posts, braces, and rails of alternate shapes or alloys shall be in accordance with one of the following methods:

A. Zinc coatings shall meet requirements of ASTM A 123.

B. Hot dipped pure aluminum coating shall have a minimum coating of 0.75 ounce per square foot (228 g/m2) of surface, triple spot test, 0.70 ounce per square foot (213 g/m2) of surface, single spot test, as measured in accordance with ASTM A 428. Both outer and inner surfaces of pipe or tubing shall be coated, and the coating shall have a chromate chemical treatment and a thin resin film for protection during storage or handling.

C. Other protective coatings, including polymeric, metallic, or combinations of the two, that provide protection equivalent to a zinc coating meeting ASTM A 123, may be approved.

Posts shall be provided with an approved cap. For 3 inch and 4 inch (75 mm and 100 mm) posts, the cap shall make a driving fit over the upper 1/2 inch (13 mm) of the post or shall have other approved means for holding the cap securely in place.

4154.11 SPECIAL FITTINGS FOR CHAIN LINK FENCE.
Braces shall be attached to posts by fittings which will hold both post and brace rigidly. Diagonal tension rods shall be 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) diameter, round steel rods with an appropriate commercial means for tightening. A locknut or other device shall be provided to hold the tightening device in place. Wire ties shall meet requirements of Article 4154.05. A suitable sleeve or coupling device, recommended by the manufacturer, shall be provided to connect sections of top rail and shall provide for expansion and contraction.

Stretcher bars not less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) diameter, or equivalent cross section area, with suitable clamps shall be used for attaching fabric to corner, end, or gate posts.

All special fittings, except aluminum fittings, shall have a galvanized coating applied by the hot dip process of not less than 0.8 ounce per square foot (244 g/m2).

4154.12 GATES.
All gates shall provide the width of opening shown in the contract documents. Where the width of opening specified is 16 feet (5 m) or less, a single gate frame shall be provided. Where the width specified is more than 16 feet (5 m), two gate frames shall be provided using a drop bar locking device allowing operation as a double gate. Gates more than 6 feet (1.8 m) in width shall have a vertical stay.

Each gate shall be furnished complete with necessary hinges, latch, and other special fittings recommended for the type of gate and gate post being installed.

Gates for chain link fence shall be made of pipe of the size shown in the contract documents or approved by the Engineer. When not shown, gates 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in width shall have 1 1/2 inch (40 mm) nominal diameter pipe, and gates less than 6 feet (1.8 m) in width shall have 1 1/4 inch (30 mm) nominal diameter pipe. Gate fabric shall be similar to that used for the fence and shall be attached by means of stretcher bars. Gates 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in width shall be cross trussed with adjustable rods.

All materials shall be galvanized with not less than 0.8 ounce per square foot (244 g/m2) of surface. Gates for field fence may be painted with a prime coat and an enamel finish coat.