Design Guide Instructions

There are a lot of steps to accurately determine the loads and sizing of posts and footings, but each step is described in detail on the following pages.

If you’re doing this process often, it helps to make a spreadsheet to automate a lot of this work, but there are links below to worksheets to fill out by hand as you progress through the design guide.

There will be a Fence Design Calculator available for purchase in the coming months that will automate most of the process and significantly cut down the design time.

For open fencing (e.g. chain link) not subject to ice loading, the sizing process can be done once and used through out the fence as the wind forces do not vary along the length.

For solid or mostly solid fencing, including open fencing with wind / privacy screen or sufficient ice buildup, the wind forces vary and are higher near the ends and corners of the fence. For this case, you can perform one of three typical design procedures.

• Use the post & footing size based on the worst case post, which is typically the one next to the end or corner post on the longest run. This is the most expensive route, but all posts, post spacings and footings are the same size which simplifies the installation process.
• Size line posts away from ends and corners to the most economical option, and change the post spacings near ends and corners to use that same size post and footing everywhere.
• Size posts & footings near ends and corners separately and keep the same post spacings throughout. This limits the number of posts, and the volume of excavation and concrete, but adds complexity at installation.

When quoting open fencing, it’s recommended to ask the customer if they want the option to add windscreen later and if they say no, to detail that in the quote. Windscreen being added later without considering if the fence was designed to handle it is a common occurrence and leads to preventable failures.

Worksheets

Open Fencing (e.g. chain link) – Wind Only – No Ice Loading

Solid or Mostly Solid Fencing – Wind Only – No Ice Loading

Fencing – All Types – Wind and Ice Loading

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