ASTM F537-01(2007)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F537 −01(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Specification for
Design, Fabrication, and Installation of Fences Constructed
of Wood and Related Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF537;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D3506Specification for Inhibited Grade Methylene Chlo-
ride for Preparing Pentachlorophenol Solutions (With-
1.1 This specification covers all wood fences, including
drawn 1992)
fences combined with wood and other materials.
F1043Specification for Strength and Protective Coatings on
1.2 This specification covers three classifications of wood
Steel Industrial Fence Framework
fences.Thisspecificationisbasedonfundamentalconstruction
F1667SpecificationforDrivenFasteners:Nails,Spikes,and
principlescombinedwithlong-standingtraditionalfencebuild-
Staples
ing skills, and covers the design, fabrication, and installation
2.2 Federal Standards:
practices of wood fences. 4
TT-W-572B Fungicide: Pentachlorophenol
1.3 This specification also provides a systematic method of
2.3 Canadian Standards Association Document:
purchase, inspection with basis for rejection, and certification
B111-74Specification for Wire Nails, Spikes, and Staples
of manufactured wood fences by the fence industry.
2.4 National Forest Products Association Standard:
National Design Specification for Stress Grade Lumber and
1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
Its Fastenings
as the standard. Acceptable industry-wide SI equivalents are
2.5 Voluntary Product Standards:
being developed.
PS20-70Softwood Lumber
PS1-74 Softwood Plywood
2. Referenced Documents
2 2.6 American Plywood Association Standard:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Specification for Plywood Design
A641/A641MSpecification for Zinc–Coated (Galvanized)
2.7 American Wood Preservers Association Standards:
Carbon Steel Wire
C1AllTimberProducts,PreservativeTreatmentbyPressure
A809 Specification for Aluminum-Coated (Aluminized)
Process
Carbon Steel Wire
C2Lumber, Timbers, Bridge Ties, Mine Ties, Preservative
B221Specification forAluminum andAluminum-Alloy Ex-
Treatment by Pressure Process
truded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
C5Fence Post, PreservativeTreatment by Pressure Process
D2605Specification for Volatile Petroleum Solvent (LPG)
C9Plywood, Preservative Treatment by Pressure Process
for Preparing Pentachlorophenol Solutions (Withdrawn
3 C16Wood Used on Farms, Preservative Treatment by Pres-
1992)
sure Process
D3225Specification for Low-Boiling Hydrocarbon Solvent
C23RoundPolesandPostsUsedForBuildingConstruction,
for Oil-Borne Preservatives (Withdrawn 2006)
Preservative Treatment by Pressure Process
1 4
ThisspecificationisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF14onFences AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF14.15onOtherFenceSystemsand Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Components. Available from Canadian Standards Association, 178 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale,
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2007.PublishedJuly2007.Originallyapproved Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3.
in1978.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2001asF537-01.DOI:10.1520/F0537- AvailablefromNationalForestProductsAssociation,1619MassachusettsAve.,
01R07. N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
2 7
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Washington, DC 20234.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Plywood Association, 1119 A St., Tacoma, WA
the ASTM website. 98401.
3 9
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Available from American Wood Preservers Association, P.O. Box 849,
www.astm.org. Stevensville, MD 21666.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F537−01 (2007)
M4 Care of Pressure Treated Wood Products 3.2.10 posts—fence posts are specified by the desired shape
or manufacture of their above ground tops as described in
3. Terminology
3.2.11 through 3.2.15.
3.1 Definitions:
3.2.11 chamfered posts—in round or square posts, the shal-
3.1.1 back rails—rails on which cover material is directly
low diagonal cut or easing of the otherwise square-cut end.
attached. 3 1
Usually measures from ⁄4 to 1 ⁄2 in. along the chamfer.
3.1.2 boards—lumberthatisupto1in.innominalthickness
3.2.12 diamond-point posts—the pyramid-shaped ends of
and 2 in. or wider in nominal width.
post which are formed by angle cuts of approximately 45°.
3.1.3 cover material—the face or fill material attached to a
3.2.13 domed posts—roundedendsofeitherroundorsquare
fence structural frame.
posts.
3.1.4 custom fence design—any fence design that is signifi-
3.2.14 flattop fence posts—the square cut ends of post.
cantly different from those described in this specification.
3.2.15 pencil-pointposts—conicallyshapedroundposttops.
Custom fence designs are also required to meet all require-
ments regarding materials, fabrication, installation,
4. Classification of Standard Fence Types
workmanship, and structural equivalency as set forth within
4.1 The generic classifications of wood fencing in 4.2
this specification.
through 4.5 have gained common recognition throughout the
3.1.5 panel products—all modular products available in
fence industry and are adapted to this specification as a means
standardized rectangular panels, many of which are suited to
of identifying a basic fence type. These classifications may be
exterior applications such as privacy fencing. Examples are
used in all cases as part of the purchase agreement between
plywood, fiberglass, and corrugated metals.
buyers and sellers of wood fencing; except a detailed
3.1.6 pickets—narrow wood members that are sawn, split,
description, drawing, or rendering of a custom fence design
sliced, milled, natural round or half-round, and are approxi-
may be substituted where necessary.
mately 2 to 4 in. in face or coverage width.
4.2 Type I—Rail Fences:
3.1.7 posts—the vertical structural support members of the
4.2.1 Split Rail—The common country fence of alternating
fence frame.
layers of handsplit rails laid up in zigzag tiers.
4.2.2 SplitorSawnPostandRail,orBoth—Therusticfence
3.1.8 rails—the horizontal structural support members of
the fence frame. made up of split or sawn rails (two to four rails) installed into
slotted split or sawn posts.
3.1.9 slats or weave boards—the horizontal or vertical
4.2.3 Round Post and Rail—A fence similar to that de-
3 3
members used in basketweave type fences normally ⁄8 to ⁄4
scribed in 4.2.2, except posts and rails are round or natural
in. thick and 3 in. or wider in nominal width.
shaped; normally produced in two, three, and four rail fences.
3.1.10 standard fence design—any fence structural frame or
The rails are machined at ends to form a paddle-shaped scarf
fence-type classification covered within this specification.
jointtobeinstalledintopostslotsorformedintodoweledends
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
for installing into posts with round connections.
3.2.1 boards or pickets—fence boards or pickets are speci-
4.2.3.1 Herringbone Pattern Round Post and Rail—Afence
fied by the desired shape or manufacture of the upright end
as described in 4.2.3, except it is normally a three-rail fence
when installed vertically as described in 3.2.2 through 3.2.9.
with small round wood inserts (doweled) which are installed
between the upper two rails to form the familiar herringbone
3.2.2 California clipped corners—corners similar to 3.2.8,
pattern.
except the clip angle is steeper at approximately 65°.
4.2.3.2 English Hurdle Fence—A standard post and rail
3.2.3 diamond point—a board or picket similar to the
fence as described in 4.2.2 and 4.2.3, except that two smaller
standard point (3.2.9), except it consists of additional angular
rails are installed diagonally from the fence posts (usually
cuts, front and back, so that the top appears as a triangle from
below the bottom rail connection) extending upwards to just
four angles of view, or pyramid shaped.
above the fence top rail where they intersect and join a third
3.2.4 flattop—a simple flat or 90° square cut end.
decorative rail of the same approximate size, which extends
3.2.5 gothic—apicketorboardinwhichtheshapeisformed
downward to just below the bottom rail at a perpendicular
by two arc-shaped cuts that meet at center to form a graceful angle.
point at the top.
4.2.4 Post and Board—The fence often referred to as corral
fenceisnormallyconstructedusingsawnwoodposts,although
3.2.6 handsplit—pickets, posts, and rails which are split by
round wood posts are sometimes used, with boards serving as
machine or by hand using an axe or froe, etc.
rails. They are commonly constructed in two, three, or four
3.2.7 pencilpoint—apicketorboardthatisconicalinshape,
board configurations.
and common to round and half-round pickets.
4.2.4.1 Crossbuck Post and Board—Afence as described in
3.2.8 standard clipped corners (or dog-eared corners)—
4.2.4, except that two boards diagonally cross each other
corners which are clipped diagonally (approximately 45°).
between two standard top and bottom board rails.
3.2.9 standard point—a picket or fence board cut to a point 4.2.4.2 Crossbuck Post and Rail—A fence as in 4.2.4.1,
at approximately 45° angles. except rails are 2-in. or thicker nominal lumber.
F537−01 (2007)
4.2.4.3 Hurdle Post and Board—A fence having the same 4.4.3 Stockade Picket—A fence that is similar to other
geometric arrangement as the English hurdle fence in 4.2.3.2, picket fences, except the pickets are natural, machine milled,
except all rails are sawn boards. round, or sliced to half-round; and are available with bark
4.2.4.4 Hurdle Post and Rail—A fence as described in removed, or with bark on for an added rustic effect.This fence
4.2.4.3,excepttopandbottomrailsare2in.orthickernominal is popular in common wood species, and may be installed to
lumber. round wood posts and round or half-round back rails, sawn
posts, and back rails; or back rails attached to metal posts.
4.3 Type II—Board Fences: Every design within this type
4.4.4 Wire-Bound Picket—This fencing is wire-bound,
may be supported by sawn wood posts, round wood posts, or
wooden picket fencing, in roll form. It is used for applications
metal posts.
such as but not limited to, snow, shade, safety, sand, and
4.3.1 Solid Board Fence—A fence that is constructed of
screening. The fence is fabricated with a 2- or 4-in. maximum
ordinary wood fence boards which are usually installed
spacing between pickets as specified by the purchaser. Each
vertically, but occasionally horizontally or diagonally, over a
picket is held firmly by five pairs of zinc-coated wires. Each
rather conventional fence frame of from two to four rails
pair of wires is tightly twisted by rotating a twister head a
between posts.
minimum of 2½ complete revolutions (900° of rotation) for
4.3.2 Spaced Board Fence—A fence as described in 4.3.1,
2-in.spacingand5completerevolutions(1800°ofrotation)for
except that open space is provided between the boards either
the 4-in. spacing.
for eye appeal or for ventilation.
4.4.4.1 The twist rotation shall be in opposite directions
4.3.3 Shadow Box—A fence that is constructed like a solid
between each succeeding picket. The wire shall have a mini-
board fence (see 4.3.1), except that fence boards are installed
mum coated diameter of 0.099 in. (12 ⁄2 gage) and a minimum
alternately from one side of the fence rails to the other,
zinc coating of 0.30 oz/ft (Specification A641/A641M, Class
providing interesting shadow lines as well as excellent venti-
1) or a minimum aluminum coating of 0.32 oz/ft (Specifica-
lation. This fence is commonly offered in either vertical or
tion A809) as selected by the purchaser. It shall have a
horizontal panels.
minimum tensile strength of 70 000 psi in accordance with
4.3.4 Louver—A fence which is similar to common board
Specification A641/A641M or Specification A809, Medium
fences (4.3.1) in frame configuration, except that fence boards
Temper. The wire spacing of top and bottom pairs of wires
areinstalledangularlybetweenthefencerailswiththeeffectof
shallbenotlessthan3in.andnotmorethan6in.fromtheends
directingsunlightandairinadesirableway.Thesefencesmay
of the pickets, with the remaining pairs of wires spaced
be constructed with the board louvers installed vertically or
equidistant between the top and bottom wires.
horizontally.
4.4.4.2 The length of roll of fabricated fence shall be 50 ft
4.3.5 Weave—A fence similar to the shadow box (4.3.3),
6 6 in. The pickets shall be made of spruce, hemlock, cedar,
except each individual fence board, normally 1 in. nominal in
redwood, fir, or pine, air-dried and rough sawn. The pickets
thickness, is alternately attached to one side of the top rail and
may be stained, painted with a red oxide coating, or pressure-
the opposite side of the bottom rail. It may be constructed
treated in accordance with 9.4 as specified. Picket dimension
vertically as described, or horizontally (minus rails) by alter-
3 1 1
shallbe:length,either48or72 6 ⁄16 in.;width,1 ⁄2 6 ⁄16 in.;
nating installation of the boards directly to the fence posts.
3 1
and thickness, ⁄8 6 ⁄16 in.
4.3.6 Basket Weave—A fence similar to the weave (4.3.5),
3 3
4.5 Type IV—Solid Panel Fences: Every design within this
except basket boards (commonly ⁄8 to ⁄4 in. in thickness) are
typemaybesupportedbysawnwoodposts,roundwoodposts,
woven alternately between from one to five small wood
members (sometimes 1 by 2, 1 by 3, or 1 by 4-in. nominal), or metal posts.
4.5.1 Plywood Panel Fences—A fence which includes any
which extend through the height of the weave perpendicularly.
The fence may contain either a vertical or horizontal weave, common post and back rail construction with an exterior grade
of plywood that is installed on or within the frame.
butineitherform,thetopandbottomrailsmayberequiredfor
rigidity. The basket weave fence requires high quality wood 4.5.2 Other Panel Product Fences—Other panel products
because of its relative thinness. suitable for exterior use and manufactured in standard panel
sizes may be installed within any fence frame that provides
4.4 Type III—Picket Fences: Every design within this type
adequate lateral suppo
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