Chain Link Fence Installation Standards

Many of our fence professionals are not aware that we have a standard for proper chain link fence installation. Like many, I was six or seven years into my fence career before I knew about ASTM and the purpose.

I was introduced to ASTM Fence Materials and Products as I began to study for the American Fence Association Certified Fence Professional designation. This opened my eyes and mind to a whole perspective to what our industry was all about. Until this introduction, I had been taught the “proper” installation techniques by several different mentors that I was helping on the installation crews.

These guys probably never heard of a standard, much less been provided the information because they had their way and really didn’t want anyone to explain or share anything new. they were set in their ways and they always commented, “We have never done it that way.” The worst comment for any professional!

ASTM Fence Materials and Products enhances our fence installations and places minimum expectations on all fence companies to adhere to these standards. These standards protect your company and the consumer and if your company has embraced these standards, you are positioning your company for success, but we must promote these standards and sell the customer on the importance.

ASTM F567-14 is the Standard Practice for Installation of Chain-link Fence, (updated in 2019). We all know the steps required to build a fence, but if we focused on the standards and trained our installation teams on the proper procedures, every fence company would see improvements in their installations time and quality.

These standards outline site preparation, post location, post setting, driven post, bracing, and middle rails, top rail and tension wire, tie wire and clips, chain-link fabric, barbed wire, gates, appearance and safety.

An example of post location states that all post will be placed at equal intervals, not to exceed 10’. Pretty simple concept but how many companies just set 10’ spacing until the end and then space accordingly the last few sections? As you see, this isn’t meeting the ASTM standard and as professionals, we go with our best practice methods.

An additional example is bracing and middle rails which states, no braces are required on fabric 6’ high or less, where the top rail is specified. With 12’ fabric or taller in height, a middle rail is recommended and required when specified. Braces are required on all terminals regardless of height, on fence without a top rail.

These two examples are very helpful in understanding that the ASTM Fence Materials and Products Standards provides information to help your company grow and prosper. If every fence company used these standards as a basis for training, our level of professionalism would skyrocket, and everyone would be on the same level playing field as contractors and what is expected.

If you need to purchase the ASTM Fence Materials and Products Standards guide, you can contact ASTM International at service@astm.org or through www.astm.org. Also, please contact me at info@fenceconsutlinggroup.com if you have any questions about ASTM.

Tony Thornton is a 45+ year veteran of the fence industry and is a subject matter expert in all areas of fence and gate automation. His passion is to elevate and promote the fence industry in a professional manner and provides consulting services to support fence industry owners in understanding how to implement effective procedures into their operation and maximize their profitability.

Thornton Fence Consulting Group
4261 East University Drive
PMB #30-108
Prosper, Texas, 75078
Phone: 972-533-3658
Email: info@fenceconsultinggroup.com
Website: www.fenceconsultinggroup.com