**Material Specification 591---Field Fencing Material**

**1. Scope**

This specification provides the minimum quality requirements for the
material used in the construction of field fences.

**2. Wire gauge**

When the size of steel wire is designated by gage number, the diameter
shall be as defined for U.S. Steel Wire Gauge.

**3. Fencing**

Fencing material shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A 121 for
barbed wire, ASTM A 116 for woven wire, ASTM A 390 for poultry fence or
netting, and ASTM A 854 for high-tensile wire. Barbed wire and woven
wire shall be class 3 zinc coated unless otherwise specified.
High-tensile wire shall have type I zinc coating unless otherwise
specified.

**4. Stays, fasteners, and tension wire**

Stays and fasteners shall conform to the requirements of the appropriate
ASTM for the fencing material specified unless otherwise specified.
Tension wires shall have a tensile strength not less than 58,000 pounds
per square inch. Stays, fasteners and tension wire shall have class 3
zinc coating as specified in ASTM A 641.

**5. Wood fence posts and braces**

Unless otherwise specified, wood posts shall be of black locust, red
cedar, osage orange (Bois d'Arc), redwood, pressure treated pine, or
other wood of equal life and strength. At least half the diameter or
diagonal dimension of red cedar or redwood posts shall be in heartwood.
Pressure treatment shall conform to Material Specification 585, Wood
Preservatives and Treatment. The posts shall be sound, new, free from
decay, with all limbs trimmed substantially flush with the body. All
posts shall be substantially straight throughout their full length.

Wood braces shall be of wood material equal to or better than
construction grade Douglas fir. Wood braces shall be pressure treated in
conformance with Material Specification 585.

**6. Steel fence posts and braces**

Steel fence posts and braces shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A
702 for steel fence posts and ASTM A 53 for bracing pipes. Posts with
punched tabs for fastening the wires shall not be installed.

**7. Concrete fence posts**

Concrete fence posts shall be manufactured to the specified requirements
of size, shape, and strength.

**8. Panel gates**

Panel gates shall be the specified types, sizes, and quality and shall
include the necessary fittings required for installation. The fittings
shall consist of not less than two hinges and one latch or galvanized
chain for fastening. Latches shall be of such design that a padlock may
be used for locking. All fittings shall not be of lesser quality than
the gate manufacturer\'s standard.

**9. Wire gates**

Wire gates shall be the type shown on the drawings, constructed in
accordance with specifications, at the locations, and to the dimensions
shown on the drawings. The material shall conform to the kinds, grades,
and sizes specified for new fence, and shall include the necessary
fittings and stays.

**10. Staples**

Staples required to secure the fence wire to wood posts shall be 9-gauge
galvanized wire with a minimum length of 1.5 inches for soft woods and a
minimum length of 1 inch for close-grain hardwoods.

**11. Galvanizing**

All iron and steel fencing material, except as otherwise specified,
shall be zinc coated by the hot dip process meeting the requirements of
Material Specification 582. Clips, bolts, and other small hardware may
be protected by electro-deposited zinc or cadmium coating.