CHAIN-LINK FENCE AND FIELD FENCE
GENERAL REQUIREMENT
All fence material shall be new and shall comply with the requirements of the standard specifications Section 4154. Statement of conformance shall be included with each shipment to each project.
ACCEPTANCE CHAIN LINK FENCE
Acceptance of posts, braces, rails and fabric for chain link fence shall be on the basis of certification from approved sources and on the basis of satisfactory test results.
Approved Sources for chain link fence materials are listed in Appendices A, B, and D of this IM.
All fence materials of iron or steel shall be from domestic origin melted and manufactured in the USA.
For alternate shapes and coating materials, refer to the Acceptance of Alternate Materials Section of this IM.
POSTS, BRACES, RAILS AND GATES FOR CHAIN LINK FENCE
1. Tubular Posts shall be furnished with an approved cap.
2. Aluminum coated posts, rails, braces, and gate shall meet the requirements of AASHTO M 181.
3. All special fittings (except aluminum fittings) shall meet the requirements of ASTM A-123.
FABRIC FOR CHAIN LINK FENCE
1. Unless otherwise specified in the plans, fabric wire size is to be No. 9 wire (0.148 in., 3.76 mm) and shall have a minimum breaking strength 1290 lbs (5740N). The minimum breaking strength is required for both Type I Aluminum coated and Type II Zinc coated.
CERTIFICATION, SAMPLING AND TESTING
1. Material certification from the producer or supplier shall be required on a project-by-project basis stating that the materials supplied meet the requirements of these specifications, and, where appropriate, the materials are melted and manufactured in the USA.
2. Samples - a minimum of one sample per source per year shall be required.
3. Test samples from a project shall be a minimum of 36 – 48-in. in length and shall represent posts, top rail and brace material of the same lot. Samples shall be tested for tensile, yield strength, and wall and coating thickness.
4. Fabric test samples shall represent a cross section of a minimum of 12-in. wide x 72-in. high of the same lot. Samples shall be tested for breaking strength.
5. Identifications - sample identifications are required and shall state the source, origin, manufacturer, and whether they are zinc or aluminum-coated. Copy of the mill certification shall be included along with the sample identifications.
ACCEPTANCE OF FIELD FENCE
1. Steel line posts approved suppliers are listed in Appendix D.
2. Wood fence posts approved sources of treated wood post are listed in IM 462 Appendix A.
3. Braces for field fence approved suppliers are listed in Appendix D of this IM.
4. Field fence welded fabric shall meet the requirements of Type Z, Class 3 in ASTM A 116.
NOTE: Type Z is made from Zinc Coated Wire (Article 4154.02) ASTM Design # 10411-6-11 Grade 60- wire, or ASTM Design # 1047-6-12 ½ Grade 125 wire, or ASTM Design # 939-6-11 Grade 60 wire, or ASTM 939-6-12 ½ Grade 125 wire.
PRODUCT APPROVAL OF ALTERNATE MATERIALS
1. Alternate materials shall be accepted on the following basis:
a. Application made in writing to the Office of Materials.
b. Certification from fabricator and / or supplier.
c. Test data for bending and stiffness.
d. A 2.0 ft sample (minimum).
e. Salt spray testing of coating other than zinc or aluminum coating.
f. Mixing galvanized and aluminized components shall not be allowed.
2. ASTM F 1043 can be accepted as an alternate material for use in chain link fence framework on the following basis:
a. Materials shall be of either Group 1A (round steel pipe) or Group 1C (round steel pipe electric resistance welded pipe).
b. Post materials shall be galvanized steel, have minimum yield strength, and all other dimensional requirements (outside diameter, radius, wall thickness) in accordance with ASTM F 1043.
c. Zinc coating for roll-formed shapes shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASTM A 123 / A 123M Grade 45 or 50.
NOTE: Maximum allowable heights of frame work and post spacing are to be based on chain link fence fabric mesh size, gauge, and specified wind loads. Post spacing is not to exceed 10 ft.
d. “C” Section Posts shall meet the requirements of ASTM F-1043 Group II and shall be galvanized by the hot dip process. “C” Section posts shall be made from steel melted and manufactured in the USA.
3. Polyvinyl coated chain link fence shall be accepted on the basis of certification from approved sources as required by the contract document.
4. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and other organic polymer coatings will be designated as polymer coating and shall meet the requirements of ASTM F 668 Class 2b and the standard colors of ASTM F 934 as specified in the contract documents.
NOTE: Polyester powder coating may be used with prior approval of the engineer.
5. Polymer coated posts, rails, gates, fabric, and wire shall have the polymer coating applied over galvanized substrate and meet the requirements of AASHTO M 181, Type IV.
6. Polymer coated brace wire, tie wire and tension wire shall meet the requirements of ASTM F 668, Class 2b.
NOTE: The process for producing Class 2b polymer or polyvinyl coating requires the use of a primer to obtain a proper chemical bonding to the substrate as per manufacturer recommendations.
