Architect Resources

DIVISION 32 — EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

Section 32 31 19

DECORATIVE METAL FENCES AND GATES

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Guide specification — draft for coordination. Edit before issue.

This is a guide specification offered as a drafting aid. It is not a construction document, a shop drawing, or an engineering design, and it is not a warranty. The Architect or Engineer of Record is responsible for editing it, verifying that it suits the project, and confirming compliance with the codes and authorities having jurisdiction that govern the work.

Text in [brackets] is either a selection for the specifier to make or a value IronForce has not yet substantiated with a published test report, an engineering calculation, or an executed warranty. Bracketed text is not a representation by IronForce. Do not issue this section for construction while brackets remain.

Member sizes and gauges are drawn from the IronForce product catalog as published on the date this page was generated and are subject to change without notice. Confirm current data in writing before issuing the project manual.

Standards are cited by designation and short title for identification only. Those documents are the property of their publishers. IronForce is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by ASTM International, the American Welding Society, UL, FGIA/AAMA, or the Construction Specifications Institute, and does not reproduce their content here. Obtain current editions directly from the publisher. MasterFormat is a trademark of the Construction Specifications Institute; section numbering follows that public numbering convention.

Part PART 1 — GENERAL

1.1GUIDE SPECIFICATION NOTICE

A.This Section is a guide specification published by the manufacturer as a drafting aid. It is not a construction document, a shop drawing, or an engineering design, and it does not create a warranty.
B.The Architect or Engineer of Record is responsible for editing this Section to suit the Project, for verifying that the products described are appropriate for the intended use, and for determining compliance with the building code, the accessibility requirements, the barrier requirements, and any other requirement of the Authority Having Jurisdiction. The manufacturer does not perform that determination.
C.Text shown in brackets is either a selection to be made by the specifier or a value the manufacturer has not substantiated with a published test report, an engineering calculation, or an executed warranty document. Bracketed text is not a representation by the manufacturer. Resolve every bracket in writing before issuing this Section for construction.
D.Standards are referenced by designation and short title for identification only. Those documents are the property of their respective publishers, are not reproduced here, and must be obtained in their current edition directly from the publisher. The manufacturer is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any referenced standards organization.
E.Section numbering follows the numbering convention published by the Construction Specifications Institute. The manufacturer is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by that organization.
F.Product descriptions reflect the manufacturer published catalog on the date this document was generated and are subject to change without notice. Confirm current product data before issue.
G.No statement in this Section is a warranty, express or implied, and no statement is a guarantee of performance. Any warranty applicable to product furnished is limited to the separate written warranty executed by the manufacturer for that order.

1.2SUMMARY

A.Section includes shop-fabricated welded steel picket fence panels, posts, and associated mounting hardware, and gates where scheduled.
B.Related Requirements:
1.Section 03 30 00 — Cast-in-Place Concrete: Concrete for post footings.
2.Section 31 23 00 — Excavation and Fill: Excavation for post footings.
3.Section 32 31 13 — Chain Link Fences and Gates, where scheduled.
4.[Section 26 05 00 — Electrical: Power and conduit for automated gate operators, where scheduled.]
C.Coordinate the related sections listed above with the Project Manual actually in use. The list is offered for convenience and is not represented as complete.

1.3REFERENCES

A.Standards are referenced by designation for identification. The edition in effect on the date of bid governs unless the Contract Documents state otherwise. Reference to a standard does not represent that any product has been tested or certified to that standard; see Part 2 for the substantiation status of each requirement.
B.ASTM International:
1.ASTM A653/A653M — Zinc-coated (galvanized) steel sheet by the hot-dip process.
2.ASTM B117 — Salt spray (fog) apparatus practice.
3.ASTM D522 — Mandrel bend test of attached organic coatings.
4.ASTM D2247 — Water resistance of coatings in 100 percent relative humidity.
5.ASTM D3359 — Adhesion by tape test.
6.ASTM F2200 — Automated vehicular gate construction.
C.American Welding Society: AWS D1.1/D1.1M, structural welding of steel; AWS D1.3/D1.3M, structural welding of sheet steel.
D.[FGIA/AAMA 2603, 2604, or 2605 — Voluntary specifications for organic coatings on architectural components. Applicable class, and whether any class applies, to be confirmed in writing by the manufacturer.]
E.UL 325 — Standard for door, drapery, gate, louver, and window operators and systems, where powered gate operators are scheduled.

1.4ACTION SUBMITTALS

A.Product Data: Manufacturer published data for each panel, post, and hardware item specified, including member sizes, gauges, picket spacing, panel coverage, and finish.
B.Shop Drawings: Fence layout keyed to the site plan, indicating panel runs and lengths, post locations and spacing, footing sizes and embedment depth, gate locations, swing or slide direction, grade transitions, and connection details.
C.Samples: [Picket and rail section, minimum 6 inches long, with the production finish applied. Confirm sample availability and lead time with the manufacturer.]
D.Finish Selection Samples: [Where a non-standard color is scheduled, submit the finish colors then offered by the manufacturer for Architect selection. Color availability is subject to change.]

1.5INFORMATIONAL SUBMITTALS

A.Structural Calculations: [Where required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the party designated in the Contract Documents shall submit calculations demonstrating that the fence assembly resists the design wind pressure for the Project location, sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the Project jurisdiction. The manufacturer does not provide sealed engineering unless separately engaged in writing.]
B.Coating Test Reports: [Where required, submit independent laboratory reports addressing the salt spray, adhesion, impact, and humidity requirements identified in Part 2. Confirm with the manufacturer which reports exist and which are available for the Project before specifying them as a submittal.]
C.Manufacturer Warranty: [Sample copy of the written warranty the manufacturer will execute for this Project, if any. Terms are established by that document and not by this Section.]
D.Welder Qualifications: [Where required by the Contract Documents, submit evidence that welding personnel are qualified under the applicable AWS requirements. Confirm scope and availability of qualification records with the supplier.]

1.6QUALITY ASSURANCE

A.Manufacturer Qualifications: [A firm regularly engaged in the manufacture of welded steel fence systems, with not less than (insert number) years of documented production experience and the capacity to supply the quantity required for the Project schedule. The specifier should set this threshold to suit the Project. It is not intended to restrict competition.]
B.Installer Qualifications: A firm licensed as required in the Project jurisdiction and experienced in the installation of welded steel fence systems of comparable scope. Where powered gate operators are included, the installer shall hold the certification required by the operator manufacturer.
C.Welding: Perform welding in accordance with AWS D1.1/D1.1M or AWS D1.3/D1.3M as applicable to the member thickness. [Confirm in writing the extent to which shop welding procedures and personnel are qualified under those documents.]
D.Single Source Responsibility: Where practicable, obtain panels, posts, and mounting hardware from one manufacturer to maintain dimensional and finish compatibility.

1.7DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A.Deliver materials in the original packaging with labels intact and legible.
B.Store panels off the ground on level supports, protected from weather, standing water, and construction traffic. Do not stack in a manner that deforms members or abrades the finish.
C.Handle panels to avoid damage to the coating. Do not drag panels across finished or unfinished surfaces.
D.Damage arising from storage or handling after delivery is the responsibility of the party in possession of the material.

1.8FIELD CONDITIONS

A.Locate underground utilities before excavating for post footings. Utility location is the responsibility of the Contractor and is not performed by the manufacturer.
B.Field verify fence line dimensions, grade changes, easements, and property line locations before fabrication and before ordering. Quantities derived from any online estimating tool are preliminary and must be confirmed by field measurement.

1.9WARRANTY

A.Manufacturer Warranty: [Insert the term, the covered conditions, the exclusions, and the remedy directly from the written warranty document the manufacturer executes for this Project. Do not describe warranty coverage in this Section from any other source.]
B.[Where a warranty is provided, the warranty period commences on the date stated in that document.]
C.No warranty arises from this Section, from manufacturer literature, or from any statement on the manufacturer website. Coverage exists only to the extent set out in an executed written warranty.

Part PART 2 — PRODUCTS

2.1MANUFACTURERS

A.Basis-of-Design Product: IronForce Fence Systems, Inc., 4295 Arville St, Las Vegas, Nevada. Telephone (888) 444-2794. Website ironforcefence.com.
B.Substitutions: Products of other manufacturers may be submitted for consideration in accordance with the Division 01 substitution requirements. The Architect determines whether a proposed product satisfies the requirements of this Section. Nothing in this Section is intended to restrict competition or to exclude a product that meets the stated requirements.
C.Naming a basis-of-design product does not transfer design responsibility to the named manufacturer.

2.2FENCE PANEL SYSTEMS

A.General: Shop-fabricated steel picket panels with welded picket-to-rail connections where welded construction is scheduled. Where an alternative connection method is proposed, submit it for review under the substitution requirements.
B.Panel Coverage: Panels are published at 94 inches nominal length, providing approximately 7.83 feet of nominal coverage. Nominal values are for preliminary layout only; verify actual dimensions, tolerances, and post-to-post spacing with the manufacturer before fabrication.
C.Series and Configuration: Provide the series, height, and top style scheduled on the Drawings, selected from the following published offerings:
1.R100 Residential Series: Published nominal heights 4', 5', 6'. Top styles offered: Flat Top, Pinched Security Top. Pickets 5/8 x 5/8 in, 18 ga. Rails 1 x 1 in, 16 ga. Verify current sizes, gauges, and availability with the manufacturer before issue.
2.C200 Commercial Series: Published nominal heights 6'. Top styles offered: Flat Top, Pinched Security Top. Pickets 3/4 x 3/4 in, 16 ga. Rails 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 in, 14 ga. Verify current sizes, gauges, and availability with the manufacturer before issue.
3.P300 Perimeter Series: Published nominal heights 7', 8'. Top styles offered: Flat Top, Pinched Security Top, Arched Pinched Security Top. Pickets 3/4 x 3/4 in, 16 ga. Rails 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 in, 14 ga. Verify current sizes, gauges, and availability with the manufacturer before issue.
D.Picket Spacing: As published by the manufacturer for the series and height specified. Where the fence is intended to serve as a pool, spa, or other safety barrier, the Architect and the Authority Having Jurisdiction determine the spacing, clearance, and configuration required. The manufacturer does not represent that any product or configuration satisfies a particular barrier code.
E.Top Styles Offered:
1.Flat Top: Pickets terminating flush at the top rail.
2.Pinched Security Top: Pickets extending above the top rail and pressed to a point.
3.Arched Pinched Security Top: Pressed-point pickets arranged in an arched profile across the panel width.
4.Style availability varies by series and height. Confirm availability for the scheduled configuration.
F.Panels are fabricated with one top rail and one bottom rail. Where a Drawing or schedule shows an intermediate rail, confirm availability with the manufacturer before issue.

2.3POSTS, BRACKETS, AND ACCESSORIES

A.Posts: Matched post for the panel series and height specified. Post size, gauge, and length as published by the manufacturer for the scheduled panel. [Post selection for a specific wind load or soil condition is a design determination and is not made by the manufacturer.]
B.Mounting Brackets: Panel mounting bracket kit offered for the specified series, finished to match the panel.
C.Post Caps: Cap for each post, finished to match.
D.Fasteners: Corrosion-resistant fasteners as supplied with the system. Provide tamper-resistant fasteners where the fence is scheduled as a security barrier and such fasteners are offered for the scheduled configuration.

2.4GATES

A.Gates: [Where gates are scheduled, fabricate from the same series, height, and top style as the adjoining fence, with frames and reinforcement suited to the leaf size. Confirm available gate configurations, leaf size limits, and lead time with the manufacturer before specifying.]
B.Gate Hardware: [Hinges, latches, and drop rods as scheduled. Where a gate is in an accessible route, the Architect determines the hardware required to satisfy the applicable accessibility standard. The manufacturer does not make that determination.]
C.Powered Operators: [Where scheduled, powered operators and their safety devices are furnished and installed by others under the applicable section, and shall comply with UL 325 and be installed in accordance with ASTM F2200, including the entrapment protection required for the operator classification.]

2.5MATERIALS AND FABRICATION

A.Steel: [Pre-galvanized steel sheet and tube. Confirm the governing material standard and the zinc coating designation in writing with the manufacturer before referencing a specific designation in the issued Section.]
B.Fabrication: Cut, fit, and weld members in the shop. Grind exposed welds smooth. Panels shall be square, true to published dimensions within the manufacturer standard tolerances, and free of burrs, weld spatter, and sharp edges.
C.[Confirm published fabrication tolerances with the manufacturer where the Project requires a stated tolerance.]

2.6FINISH

A.Coating System: [A multi-stage protective system over a pre-galvanized substrate, incorporating a primer and a powder-coat topcoat. Confirm the pretreatment, the number of stages, the primer type, and the topcoat chemistry in writing with the manufacturer before issue.]
B.Standard Color: Black. [Other colors, where offered, may be subject to minimum order quantity, price adjustment, and extended lead time. Confirm availability with the manufacturer.]
C.Dry Film Thickness: [To be confirmed in writing by the manufacturer.]
D.Coating Performance: [The manufacturer has not published independent test results for the properties below. Do not specify a performance value in the issued Section unless the manufacturer supplies a corresponding test report. Insert values only from that report.]
1.Salt Spray Resistance: ASTM B117, [insert hours and permitted creepage from scribe, from test report].
2.Adhesion: ASTM D3359, [insert rating, from test report].
3.Impact and Flexibility: ASTM D522, [insert result, from test report].
4.Humidity Resistance: ASTM D2247, [insert hours and acceptance criterion, from test report].
E.No representation is made regarding coating service life, color retention, or corrosion performance in any specific environment. Coastal, high-humidity, reclaimed-water, and industrial exposures should be reviewed with the manufacturer before selection.

2.7STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE

A.Wind Load: [The fence assembly, including panels, posts, and footings, shall resist the design wind pressure determined for the Project location, exposure, and fence height by the Engineer of Record in accordance with the governing code. The manufacturer has not published allowable wind pressures, allowable post spacing, or span tables, and does not perform this analysis.]
B.Post Embedment: [Footing diameter and embedment depth shall be determined for the Project soil conditions and design loads by the party responsible for that design. Any installation guidance offered by the manufacturer is general in nature, is not a substitute for engineering, and does not account for site-specific soil or loading conditions.]
C.The manufacturer does not practice engineering and provides no structural design, load certification, or stamped calculation through this Section.

Part PART 3 — EXECUTION

3.1EXAMINATION

A.Examine the areas and conditions where the fence will be installed. Verify that grading is complete and that the fence line is clear of obstructions.
B.Verify that underground utilities have been located and marked.
C.Do not begin installation until unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected. Beginning installation constitutes acceptance of the substrate and site conditions by the installer.

3.2PREPARATION

A.Stake the fence line and post locations. Obtain review of the layout before excavating footings.
B.Set post spacing to suit the panel coverage furnished, adjusting only at terminations, corners, and gate openings.

3.3INSTALLATION

A.Install the fence system in accordance with the reviewed Shop Drawings and [the manufacturer written installation instructions where issued for the product furnished]. Installation is performed by the Contractor; the manufacturer does not supervise, inspect, or direct the work.
B.Posts: Set posts plumb in concrete footings sized as required by the Contract Documents. Crown footings to shed water away from the post. Do not attach panels until the concrete has attained sufficient strength to resist displacement.
C.Panels: Attach panels to posts using the bracket system furnished. Install panels level, or racked uniformly to follow grade where scheduled and where the panel configuration permits. Maintain consistent picket spacing across panel joints.
D.Grade Transitions: Step or rack panels as indicated. Where the fence encloses a pool or spa, the bottom clearance and any other barrier dimension shall be as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and as shown on the reviewed Drawings.
E.Gates: Install gates plumb, level, and true, with uniform clearances. Adjust hardware for smooth operation and positive latching.
F.Field Welding: [Field welding is not permitted except where specifically indicated. Where permitted, touch up field-welded and field-cut surfaces with a repair coating suitable for the finish furnished. Field modification may affect any applicable warranty; confirm before proceeding.]

3.4FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

A.Verify that panels are level or uniformly racked, that posts are plumb, and that gates operate and latch without binding.
B.[Where powered gate operators are installed, the installing party shall test the entrapment protection devices and demonstrate operation to the Owner. This work is not performed by the fence manufacturer.]
C.Any inspection or observation offered by the manufacturer is a courtesy visit only, is limited to product appearance and identification, and is not an inspection of the installation, of code compliance, or of the work of any other party.

3.5ADJUSTING, CLEANING, AND PROTECTION

A.Touch up abraded and damaged finish using a repair coating suitable for the finish furnished. Replace members that cannot be satisfactorily repaired.
B.Clean exposed surfaces of construction soil, concrete splatter, and marks.
C.Protect the installed fence from damage during the remainder of construction.

3.6DEMONSTRATION

A.[Where powered gates are provided, the party furnishing the operator shall instruct Owner personnel in operation, manual release, and routine maintenance.]

3.7DISCLAIMER

A.This Section was prepared by the manufacturer as a drafting aid and is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
B.The manufacturer does not practice architecture or engineering, does not determine code compliance, and does not certify any installation. Responsibility for the design, for the selection of products, for code and accessibility compliance, and for the content of the issued Project Manual rests with the Architect or Engineer of Record.
C.The manufacturer is not liable for any loss arising from use of this Section, including reliance on any bracketed value that was not confirmed in writing before issue.

END OF SECTION 32 31 19.

Prepared by IronForce Fence Systems, Inc. as a courtesy drafting aid. IronForce does not practice architecture or engineering and provides no design services, no code determination, and no certification through this document. IronForce disclaims all express and implied warranties in connection with this document, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Any warranty that applies to product is limited to the separate written warranty IronForce executes for that order. The specifier remains responsible for the content of the issued project manual.

Standards are cited by designation and short title for identification only. Those documents are the property of their publishers. IronForce is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by ASTM International, the American Welding Society, UL, FGIA/AAMA, or the Construction Specifications Institute, and does not reproduce their content here. Obtain current editions directly from the publisher. MasterFormat is a trademark of the Construction Specifications Institute; section numbering follows that public numbering convention.