Attachment 7_barbwiresteel_post_fence_2023.pdf

Barbed Wire/Steel post/Rock Jack/Tree Tie

Fence Construction Specifications

FENCE SPECIFICATIONS

#1 Barbed Wire- Rock-Jack/Figure-four/steel-post/tree-tie configuration

1. Clearing

The fence shall be located in the center of cleared right-of-way. A six foot right-of-way on each side of the fence is to be cleared of logs and trees. Limbs on trees shall be removed to a height of 8 feet on trees used as posts in the fence. Limbs and brush removed from the right-of-way shall be scattered off the right-of-way. All slash must be kept at least 20’ from any game or livestock trails. All stumps on the right-of-way shall not be higher than 3 inches from the ground.

2. Hazard Trees

All dead trees within 25 feet of the fenceline will be felled. Any large snags that are likely to fall towards the fenceline must be felled prior to construction of the fence. Any tree in question will have to be approved by the Forest Service before leaving it. The felled hazard trees will be bucked up to a distance of 6 ft. on either side of the fence and the material removed from the 6 ft. right-of-way on each side of the fence. The remainder of the felled hazard trees need not be limbed or bucked. If there is a question as to the necessity of felling a specific tree, the contractor shall consult the Forest Service.

3. Fence Line Location

All fence line locations are flagged with ribbon identified by the COR. Gate locations are flagged with ribbon identified by the COR. Deviations from the flagged line of more than 20 feet will need approval from the Forest Service.

4. Construction

4.1 Line Wires

Four Wire Fence: wires shall be spaced as follows: The bottom wire (barbless 12.5 GA) will be a minimum of 16 inches from ground level and a maximum of 18 inches, the next three (barbed

12.5 GA) shall be spaced at even intervals for a total height not to exceed 40 inches unless the fence is located across a steep slope. In this situation the top wire will not exceed 38 inches.

Three Wire Fence: Three barbed wires shall be spaced as follows: The bottom wire (barbed 12.5 GA) will be a minimum of 16 inches from ground level and a maximum of 18 inches, the next two (barbed 12.5 GA) shall be evenly spaced for a total height not to exceed 40 inches unless the fence is located across a steep slope. In this situation the top wire will not exceed 38 inches.

The wire will be hung on the uphill side of the fence if the flagged line is located on a steep slope or as directed by the Forest Service. Wire will not be “woven” between tree ties or t-posts. Keep wire on the same side of posts, anchors and trees for each stretch.

4.2 Posts

Construction shall be with 5 1/2 foot 1.33 steel T-type posts set approximately 16-18 feet apart.

The spacing may be slightly closer to keep the bottom wire at an acceptable height above the ground line. Live trees or line jacks (see plan R6-16-RM 122.44) may be used in lieu of steel posts. If live trees are used, they must be located within two feet of the established line (an off set must be used to maintain the stretch line, plan R6-16-RM 112.45), be a minimum of 8" dbh and must have a nailer ( "scab" ) attached as shown in R-6-16-RM 121.46. Only Western larch, Ponderosa pine or Douglas (Red) fir may be used as tree ties, unless otherwise approved by the Forest Service. Line jacks will be constructed as shown in R-6-16-RM 121.44. Steel posts shall be driven into the ground, past the top of the flange plant. It is acceptable to pre-drill post holes in rocky ground to permit the use of posts in these conditions. If this method is used, the flange may be knocked off prior to pounding, however the post must be secure in the hole with no wobbling. Steel posts shall be relieved of upward pull of wires by use of deadman rock anchors and tiedowns as shown in R-6-16-RM 122.11. Tie downs can be secured using a large rock or a T-post driven at a 45 degree angle parallel to the fence (no more than 24 inches of post can remain out of the ground.) There can be no more than ten steel posts in a line (max 200 feet) without having a scabbed live tree ( 8" dbh or larger ) or a line jack to support the fenceline.

4.3 Stays

Split or rough sawn larch stays shall be used. Depending on snow load one or two stays will be evenly spaced between each steel post or figure four. Stays will be attached to the fence using 1 ¾ inch galvanized staples.

4.4 Gates

The locations of the gates should allow for passage at roads and trails or every ½ mile. Gates 16 feet in width shall be placed at road crossings. All other gates shall be 14 feet wide. Ends of the gate shall be attached to trees, rock jacks, rock cribs or H-braces. Rock cribs will be constructed as shown in Exhibit 1. H-braces will be constructed as shown in R6-Plan No. 16. Gates shall be constructed with four wires spaced in accordance with specifications shown in R-6 Plan No. 9.

4.5 Water Gaps

Water gaps will be constructed to allow water passage during spring runoff using the specifications in the technical drawings.

4.6 Wire Stretching

Wire will be tightened adequately to set the wire twists and remove factory kinks. It is, however, important to refrain from stretching the wire excessively. Excessive tension will weaken the barbed wire by removing the capacity for it to stretch. Location of stretch points will be determined by topography and the availability of tie-trees.

4.7 Splicing

Splices in the wire shall be made by wrapping the ends of the wire back around the wire three times, thereby forming an eye at the end of the wire. The other wire end is then placed through the eye and wrapped back around itself at least three times. All wraps shall lie directly adjacent to each other, thus forming neat, tight wraps.

4.8 Rock Jacks/Line Jacks

Rock Jacks/Line Jacks should not be spaced farther than 200 feet apart unless there is a tree-tie, rock crib, or H-brace within this interval. Tree-ties or H-braces may be substituted for rock jacks.

Rock jacks or line jacks will be placed at the top and bottom of all abrupt breaks in the slope.

A shallow hole (6-10 inches deep) shall be dug to keep the jack from sliding if the jack is used as an end or in a pivot point in the fence. Set the upright post in place, pack soil around the post and nail the two braces to the other corners of the triangle and to the upright post. Use two 6" helix nails placed at binding angles in the end of each piece. The lower end of the post must be double nailed to extended ends of floor joists.

The two floor joists are nailed about 6 inches above the ground. Floor material can be trimmed to fit the triangular space it covers but is not nailed to the joist.

Use two nails placed at a binding angle at each nailed junction in all jacks. One-half the length of each nail should be in the piece being nailed to. Notch outside piece if necessary to allow full contact of each face. Rock jacks not constructed using this method will no be acceptable. Nails will be driven at right angles to the annual ring. Nails should not be closer than 6 inches to the end of any piece to minimize splitting. Nailed junctions should have sound wood against sound wood, no bark between.

All corners of the jack shall be wired with one tight wrap of either No. 9 or 12 ga. two strand barbless wire. Each of the three bottom corners shall have a rock set under the corner to allow settling of the jack, but to keep the jack floor from settling to the ground.

After the wires are stretched between available trees or anchor jacks, the empty jacks are easily placed up to the wire. Next, rock up under the joists and then fill the jacks with rock. 100 -150 pounds of rock shall be placed on the floor of each line jack. On rock jacks used as corners or tie points, the rock load shall be 300-500 pounds. No log chunks or other weight will be acceptable.

4.9 Figure-Fours

Figure-fours will be required in locations where steel possts cannot be driven into the soil to specifications. Figure-fours shall be constructed using four foot split/sawn larch pieces for the stay portion of the figure four. 48” heavy stays can be used for the vertical nailers with 60” jack pieces will be used for the legs of the figure four as indicated in the plan. 6” helix nails shall be used for securing the figure four. See plan for spacing specifications.

4.10 Trees

Solid live trees over 10 inches dbh may be used in place of posts, provided they are located not over 2 feet out of line. Only Western larch, Ponderosa pine or Douglas (Red) fir may be used, unless otherwise approved by the COR. Tree branches shall be removed completely around the fence, to a height of 8 feet. Do not cut into the cambium, this often causes tree mortality. A scab shall be securely nailed, with 6" helix nails to the tree at three points: top, center, and bottom.

The nailer should be pre-drilled to reduce the incidence of splitting.

4.11 H-Braces

H-Braces may be used as end points if no tree-ties or rock is available for rock cribs. Posts must measure no less than 5-7 inches at the small end. Posts will be buried a minimum of 3 feet and spaced 8 feet apart. A pressure treated 4"x6" or 6” round treated post will be used as the cross-piece brace between the posts. These braces will be placed approximately 40" from the ground.

Two diagonally placed tension wires of double wrapped 12 1/2 ga smooth two strand wire will be secured at ground level and 48" with pig-tailed ends. This is then tightened with a twitch stick made from a stay until the wire is very tight. The loose end of the twitch stick can be rested against the cross-piece.

4.12 Stapling

Staples shall be driven at a slant to the grain of the wood to prevent the wood from splitting and will not be driven so deep as to nick the galvinizing on the wire. Staples should be driven to allow movement of the wire between the wire and post/tree scab to prevent the wire from pulling into the scab.

5. Materials (Responsibility for supply of materials will be identified in the Task Order)

5.1 List of Materials

5 1/2 ft. 1.33 heavy duty "T" type steel fence posts

12 1/2 gauge galvanized barbed wire, 4” Spacing, Class 1

12 1/2 gauge galvanized barbless wire, Class 1

1 3/4 hot dipped galvanized staples

6" helix nails split or sawn larch wood material (for rock jacks and figure fours)

Stays—9 square inch cross section, 4 feet long split larch, use heavier stays as figure four uprights.

Rock Jack Posts--approximately 6x6 cross section, 60” long split or sawn larch

Rock Jack Legs—approximately 3x6 cross section, 60” long split or sawn larch

Figure Four legs—approximately 9-12 inch cross section, 60” long split or sawn larch

No. 9 annealed wire for wrapping jack corners

6" round CCA treated posts for H-braces.

5.2 Location

When fence material will be furnished, arrangements for contractor to pick up will be made by the COR. The Contractor will arrange to pick up the materials and will sign a slip stating items, quantities and dates of removal. All surplus material will be returned to the place of origin.