Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction 2020 (M 41-10)

Erosion Control and Roadside Planting

9-14

1. Live branch cuttings shall have flexible top growth with terminal buds and may have

side branches. The rooting end shall be cut at an approximate 45-degree angle.

2. Live stake cuttings shall have a straight top cut immediately above a bud. The lower,

rooting end shall be cut at an approximate 45-degree angle. Live stakes are cut from
one to two year old wood. Live stake cuttings shall be cut and installed with the bark
intact with no branches or stems attached, and be ½ to 1½ inch in diameter.

3. Live pole cuttings shall have a diameter between 2 inches and 3.5 inches. Live poles

shall have no more than three branches which must be located at the top end of the
pole and those branches shall be pruned back to the first bud from the main stem.

Rhizomes shall be a prostrate or subterranean stem, usually rooting at the nodes and
becoming erect at the apex. Rhizomes shall have a minimum of two growth points. Tubers
shall be a thickened and short subterranean branch having numerous buds or eyes.

9-14.7(2) Quality

At the time of delivery, all plant material furnished shall meet the grades established by
the latest edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock, (ASNS) ANSI Z60.1 and
shall conform to the size and acceptable conditions as listed in the Contract, and shall be
free of all foreign plant material.

All plant material shall comply with State and Federal laws with respect to inspection for
plant diseases and insect infestation. Plants must meet Washington State Department
of Agriculture plant quarantines and have a certificate of inspection. Plants originating in
Canada must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating the plants meet USDA
health requirements.

All plant material shall be purchased from a nursery licensed to sell plants in their state or
province.

Live woody or herbaceous plant material, except cuttings, rhizomes, and tubers, shall be
vigorous, well formed, with well developed fibrous root systems, free from dead branches,
and from damage caused by an absence or an excess of heat or moisture, insects, disease,
mechanical or other causes detrimental to good plant development. Evergreen plants shall
be well foliated and of good color. Deciduous trees that have solitary leaders shall have
only the lateral branches thinned by pruning. All conifer trees shall have only one leader
(growing apex) and one terminal bud, and shall not be sheared or shaped. Trees having a
damaged or missing leader, multiple leaders, or Y-crotches shall be rejected.

Root balls of plant materials shall be solidly held together by a fibrous root system and
shall be composed only of the soil in which the plant has been actually growing. Balled
and burlapped rootballs shall be securely wrapped with jute burlap or other packing
material not injurious to the plant life. Root balls shall be free of weed or foreign
plant growth.

Page 9-124

Erosion Control and Roadside Planting

Plant materials shall be nursery grown stock. Plant material, with the exception of
cuttings, gathered from native stands shall be held under nursery conditions for a
minimum of one full growing season, shall be free of all foreign plant material, and meet
all of the requirements of these Specifications, the Plans, and the Special Provisions.

Container grown plants shall be plants transplanted into a container and grown in that
container sufficiently long for new fibrous roots to have developed so that the root
mass will retain its shape and hold together when removed from the container, without
having roots that circle the pot. Plant material which is root bound, as determined by the
Engineer, shall be rejected. Container plants shall be free of weed or foreign plant growth.

Container sizes for plant material of a larger grade than provided for in the container
grown Specifications of the ASNS shall be determined by the volume of the root ball
specified in the ASNS for the same size plant material.

All bare root plant materials shall have a heavy fibrous root system and be dormant at the
time of planting.

Average height to spread proportions and branching shall be in accordance with the
applicable sections, illustrations, and accompanying notes of the ASNS.

Plants specified or identified as “Street Tree Grade” shall be trees with straight trunks, full
and symmetrical branching, central leader, and be developed, grown, and propagated with
a full branching crown. A “Street Tree Grade” designation requires the highest grade of
nursery shade or ornamental tree production which shall be supplied.

Street trees with improperly pruned, broken, or damaged branches, trunk, or root
structure shall be rejected. In all cases, whether supplied balled and burlapped or in a
container, the root crown (top of root structure) of the tree shall be at the top of the finish
soil level. Trees supplied and delivered in a nursery fabric bag will not be accepted.

Plants which have been determined by the Engineer to have suffered damage for the
following reasons will be rejected:
1.  Girdling of the roots, stem, or a major branch.
2.  Deformities of the stem or major branches.
3.  Lack of symmetry.
4.  Dead or defoliated tops or branches.
5.  Defects, injury, and condition which renders the plant unsuitable for its intended use.

Plants that are grafted shall have roots of the same genus as the specified plant.

Erosion Control and Roadside Planting

9-14

9-14.7(3) Handling and Shipping

Handling and shipping shall be done in a manner that is not detrimental to the plants.

The nursery shall furnish a notice of shipment in triplicate at the time of shipment of
each truck load or other lot of plant material. The original copy shall be delivered to the
Engineer, the duplicate to the consignee and the triplicate shall accompany the shipment
to be furnished to the Inspector at the job site. The notice shall contain the following
information:
1.  Name of shipper.
2.  Date of shipment.
3.  Name of commodity (including all names as specified in the Contract).
4.  Consignee and delivery point.
5.  State Contract number.
6.  Point from which shipped.
7.  Quantity contained.
8.  Size (height, runner length, caliper, etc., as required).
9.  Signature of shipper by authorized representative.

To acclimate plant materials to Northwest conditions, all plant materials used on a project
shall be grown continuously outdoors north of the 42nd Latitude (Oregon-California
border) from not later than August 1 of the year prior to the time of planting.

All container grown plants shall be handled by the container.

All balled and burlapped plants shall be handled by the ball.

Plant material shall be packed for shipment in accordance with prevailing practice for
the type of plant being shipped, and shall be protected at all times against drying, sun,
wind, heat, freezing, and similar detrimental conditions both during shipment and during
related handling. Where necessary, plant material shall be temporarily heeled in. When
transported in closed vehicles, plants shall receive adequate ventilation to prevent
sweating. When transported in open vehicles, plants shall be protected by tarpaulins or
other suitable cover material.

9-14.7(4) Sod

The sod shall be field grown one calendar year or older, have a well developed root
structure, and be free of all weeds, disease, and insect damage.

Prior to cutting, the sod shall be green, in an active and vigorous state of growth, and
mowed to a height not exceeding 1 inch.

The sod shall be cut with a minimum of 1 inch of soil adhering.

Irrigation System

9-15

Irrigation System

All materials and equipment incorporated in the system shall be new, undamaged, of
standard quality, and shall be subject to testing as specified. When the water supply
for the irrigation system is from a nonpotable source, irrigation components shall have
lavender indicators supplied by the equipment manufacturer.

9-15.1

Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings

Pipe shall be copper, galvanized iron, PVC, or polyethylene, as specified in the Plans or in
the Special Provisions.

Copper pipe or tubing shall be annealed, seamless, and conform to the requirements of
ASTM B88, and shall be a minimum of Type L rating.

Threaded cast brass or bronze fittings shall meet the requirements of

Section 9-30.6(6)

9-15.1(1) Galvanized Pipe and Fittings

Pipe shall be standard weight, hot-dip galvanized iron or steel pipe, threaded and coupled.
Pipe shall meet the requirements of ASTM A53.

All pipe fittings shall be standard threaded galvanized malleable iron fittings.

9-15.1(2) Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe and Fittings

PVC pipe and fittings shall be of PVC compound Type 1, Grade 1, conforming to ASTM
D1785 Specifications. The pipe and fittings shall be approved and certified by the
National Sanitation Foundation. Pipe and fittings shall be free from defects in materials,
workmanship, and handling. The Engineer may require dimensional and quick burst
tests of pipe and fittings after arrival at the job site. Acceptance of the materials shall be
subject to passing the designated tests per ASTM Standards.

PVC solvent weld pipe shall be of PVC 1120 material and shall have 200 psi minimum
pressure rating with SDR 21 walls which conform to ASTM D2241. PVC pipe with
walls heavier than SDR 21 shall be installed when noted in the Plans and specified in
the Special Provisions. PVC threaded pipe shall be of PVC 1120 material and shall be
schedule 80 which conforms to ASTM D1785.

PVC pipe fittings shall conform to ASTM D2466, Type I, Grades 1 or 2. Pipe may be belled
on one end with the dimensions of the tapered bell conforming to ASTM D2672.

Each length of PVC pipe is to be marked with an identifying extrusion “run” number and
the manufacturer’s name or trade name plus the pipe size and schedule.

9-15.1(3) Polyethylene Pipe

Polyethylene pipe shall be Class 80, SDR 15, medium density polyethylene pipe, meet
the requirements of ASTM D2239, conform to U.S. Commercial Standard CS-255, and be
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved.

Page 9-128

Irrigation System

Thick walled polyethylene (poly) pipe shall be used in conjunction with fittings
recommended by the manufacturer of the poly pipe to produce a flexible swing joint
assembly between the lateral line and the irrigation head. The pipe shall be manufactured
from high quality, low density virgin polyethylene material and have a minimum wall
thickness of 0.10 inch and a minimum inside diameter of 0.49 inch. The pipe shall be
capable of withstanding 80 psi operating water pressure at 110°F. The length of thick
walled poly pipe at each flexible swing joint assembly shall be 18 inches minimum to
36 inches maximum.

9-15.2

Drip Tubing

Drip tubing shall be manufactured from specially formulated, chemical resistant, low to
medium density virgin polyethylene or polybutylene selected for excellent weatherability
and stress cracking resistance and designed specifically for use in drip irrigation systems.
Drip tubing shall have a minimum wall thickness of 0.045 inch.

9-15.3

Automatic Controllers

The automatic controller shall be an electronic timing device for automatically opening
and closing control valves for predetermined periods of time. The automatic controller
shall be enclosed in a weatherproof painted metal housing fabricated from 16-gauge
sheet aluminum alloy 6061-T6 or 16-gauge sheet steel or unpainted, nonrusting industrial
grade stainless steel. The pedestal shall have a completely removable locking faceplate to
allow easy access to wiring.

The automatic controller housing shall have hasp and lock or a locking device. All locks
or locking devices shall be master keyed, and three sets of keys shall be provided to the
Engineer. The controller shall be compatible with and capable of operating the irrigation
system as designed and constructed and shall include the following operating features:
1. Each controller station shall be adjustable for setting to remain open for any desired

period of time, from 5 minutes or less to at least 99 minutes.

2. Adjustments shall be provided whereby any number of days may be omitted

and whereby any one or more positions on the controller can be skipped. When
adjustments are made, they shall continue automatically within a 14-day cycle until
the operator desires to make new adjustments.

3. Controls shall allow any position to be operated manually, both on or off, whenever

desired, without disrupting the 14-day cycle.

4. Controls shall provide for resetting the start of the irrigation cycle at any time and

advancing from one position to another.

5. Controllers shall contain a power on-off switch and fuse assembly.
6. Output shall be 24-volt AC with battery back-up for memory retention of the 14-day

cycle.

7. Each controller shall have both normally-open or normally-closed rain sensor

compatibility.

Irrigation System

9-15

9-15.4

Irrigation Heads

Irrigation heads shall be of the type, pattern, and coverage shown in the Plans at rated
operating pressure specified, discharging not more than the amount of gallons per minute
listed.

Sprinkler heads shall be designed so that spray adjustments can be made by either an
adjustment screw or interchangeable nozzles. Watering cores shall be easily removed
without removing the housing from the pipe.

All instructions, special wrenches, clamps, tools, and equipment supplied by the
manufacturer necessary for the installation and maintenance of the irrigation heads shall
be turned over to the Engineer upon completion and acceptance of the project.

9-15.5

Valve Boxes

Valve boxes shall conform to the Plans and be extendable to obtain the depth required.
All manual drain valves and manual control valves shall be installed in valve box with a
vandal-resistant lid as shown in the Plans.

9-15.6

Gate Valves

Valves shall be of the same size as the pipes on which they are placed and shall have
union or flange connections. Service rating (for nonshock cold water) shall be 150 psi.
Valves shall be of the double disk, taper seat type, with rising stem, union bonnet and
hand wheel or suitable cross wheel for standard key operation. Manufacturer’s name, type
of valve, and size shall be imprinted or printed on the valve.

9-15.7

Control Valves

9-15.7(1) Manual Control Valves

Manual valves shall be angle type. Service rating shall be not less than 150 psi nonshock
cold water. Valves shall be designed for underground installation with suitable cross wheel
for operation with a standard key. The Contractor shall furnish three suitable operating
keys. Valves shall have removable bonnet and stem assemblies with adjustable packing
glands and shall house long acme threaded stems to ensure full opening and closing.

9-15.7(2) Automatic Control Valves

Automatic remote control valves shall be globe pattern with flanged or screwed
connections as required. The valve shall be constructed so as to allow all internal parts to
be removable from the top of the valve without disturbing the valve installation.

Valves shall be of a normally-closed design and shall be operated by an electronic
solenoid having a maximum rating of 6.5 watts utilizing 24-volt AC power. Electronic
solenoids shall have a stainless steel plunger and be directly attached to the valve bonnets
or body with all control parts fully encapsulated. Valves shall be of 200 psi heavy-duty
glass filled nylon and a standard product of a reputable manufacturer of irrigation valves
and equipment. The opening and closing speed of the valve shall be a minimum of five

Page 9-130

Irrigation System

seconds for closure and a minimum of three seconds for opening with a constant rate
of opening and closing. A manual control bleed cock shall be included on the valve
to operate the valve without the requirement of electrical current. A manual shutoff
stem with cross handle for wrench operation is required for manual adjustment from
fully closed to wide open. Once the manual adjustment is set, the valve shall operate
automatically in the adjusted position. Water flow shall be completely stopped when the
control valve is closed either manually or automatically. Automatic control valves and
automatic controllers need not be from the same manufacturer.

9-15.7(3) Automatic Control Valves With Pressure Regulator

Automatic control valves with pressure regulators shall be similar to the automatic control
valves described in

Section 9-15.7(2)

and shall reduce the inlet pressure to a constant

pressure regardless of supply fluctuations. The regulator must be fully adjustable.

9-15.8

Quick Coupling Equipment

Quick coupler valves shall have a service rating of not less than 125 psi for nonshock cold
water. The body of the valves shall be of cast Copper Alloy No. C84400 Leaded Semi-
Red Brass conforming to ASTM B584. The base of the valve shall have standard female
pipe threads. The design of the valve shall be such that it will open only upon inserting
a coupler key and will close as the coupler is removed from the valve. Leakage of water
between the coupler and valve body when in operation shall not be accepted. The valve
body receiving the coupler shall be designed with double worm slots to allow smooth
action in opening and closing of the valve with a minimum of effort. Slots shall be notched
at the base to hold the coupler firmly in the open position. Couplers shall be of the same
material as the valve body with stainless steel double guide lugs to fit the worm slots.
Couplers shall be of one piece construction with steel reinforced side handles attached.
All couplers shall have standard male pipe threads at the top. Couplers shall be furnished
with all quick coupler valves unless otherwise specified.

9-15.9

Drain Valves

Drain valves may be a ½- or ¾-inch PVC or metal gate valve manufactured for irrigation
systems. Valves shall be designed for underground installation with suitable cross wheel
for operation with a standard key, and shall have a service rating of not less than 150 psi
nonshock cold water. The Contractor shall furnish three standard operating keys per
Contract. Drain valves shall be installed in a valve box with a vandal-resistant lid as shown
in the Plans.

Drain valves on potable water systems shall only be allowed on the downstream side of
approved cross-connection control devices.

9-15.10

Hose Bibs

Hose bibs shall be angle type, constructed of bronze or brass, threaded to accommodate
a ¾-inch hose connection, and shall be key operated. Design shall be such as to prevent
operation by wrench or pliers.

Irrigation System

9-15

9-15.11

Cross Connection Control Devices

Atmospheric vacuum breaker assemblies (AVBAs), pressure vacuum breaker assemblies
(PVBAs), double check valve assemblies (DCVAs), and reduced pressure backflow
devices (RPBDs) shall be of a manufacturer and product model approved for use by the
Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington, or a Department of
Health-certified agency.

9-15.12

Check Valves

Adjustable spring check valves shall be PVC and shall be pressure rated at 200 psi. Valves
shall be adjustable from 5 to 15 pounds spring tension, but shall not cause pressure loss
in excess of 5 psi for flows up to 30 gpm. Valves shall have angled seats, Buna-N seals,
and threaded connections, and shall be installed in 8-inch-round plastic valve boxes with
vandal-resistant lids.

9-15.13

Pressure Regulating Valves

Pressure regulating valves shall have a minimum of 150 psi working pressure with an
adjustable outlet range of 20 to 70 psi. The valves shall be factory set as shown in the
Plans. Pressure regulating valves shall be rated for safe operation at 175 psi nonshock
cold water.

9-15.14

Three-Way Valves

Three-way valves shall be tight closing, three port, ball or plug type, constructed to permit
straight through and 90-degree flow only. The valve shall be of bronze or approved
corrosion resistant body materials and shall have a minimum of 150 psi working pressure.
The head of the valve, or handle when applicable, shall be permanently marked to indicate
port position. When handles are included as an integral part of the valves, the Contractor
shall remove the handles and give them to the Engineer.

9-15.15

Flow Control Valves

Valve body materials shall be plastic or metal. Internal parts shall be stainless steel. Valves
shall be factory set to the flows as shown in the Plans. Valves shall have no external
adjustment and be tamper-proof when installed. One-quarter inch and smaller flow
control valves shall have a minimum pressure absorption range of 2 to 32 psi. One and
one half inch and larger flow control valves shall have a minimum pressure absorption
range of 3 to 50 psi.

Flow shall be controlled to 5 percent of Plan volumes.

9-15.16

Air Relief Valve

The air relief valve shall automatically relieve air and break a vacuum in the serviced pipe.
Body materials shall be installed exactly at all high points.

Page 9-132

Irrigation System

9-15.17

Electrical Wire and Splices

Electrical wire used between the automatic controller and automatic control valves
shall be solid or stranded copper, minimum size AWG 14. Insulation shall be Type USE
Chemically Cross Linked Polyethylene or Type UF, and shall be listed by a Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory. Each conductor shall be color coded and marked at each
end and at all splices with zone or station number identification.

Low voltage splices shall be made with a direct bury splice kit using a twist-on wire
connector and inserted in a waterproof polypropylene tube filled with a silicone electrical
insulating gel or heat-shrinkable insulation tubing. Heat-shrinkable insulation tubing shall
consist of a mastic-lined heavy-wall polyolefin cable sleeve.

9-15.18

Detectable Marking Tape

Detectable marking tape shall consist of inert polyethylene plastic that is impervious to all
known alkalis, acids, chemical reagents, and solvents likely to be encountered in the soil,
with a metallic foil core to provide for the most positive detection and pipeline location.

The tape shall be color coded and shall be imprinted continuously over its entire length in
permanent black ink indicating the type of line buried below and shall also have the word
“Caution” prominently shown. Color coding of the tape shall be as follows:

Utility

Tape Color

Water

Blue

Sewer

Green

Electrical

Red

Gas/Oil

Yellow

Telephone/CATV

Orange

Non-Potable Water

Purple

The width of the tape shall be as recommended by the manufacture based on depth of
installation.

9-15.19

Wye Strainers

Wye strainers shall be bronze or brass with screwed end connections, 20 mesh Monel or
stainless steel screen, and standard tapped bronze retainer cap and closure plug. Service
rating shall be not less than 150 psii nonshock cold water.

Fence and Guardrail

9-16

Fence and Guardrail

9-16.1

Chain Link Fence and Gates

9-16.1(1) General

All material used in the construction of chain link fence and gates shall be new. Iron or
steel material shall be galvanized unless specified otherwise. Material upon which serious
abrasions of galvanizing occur shall not be acceptable.

9-16.1(1)A

Post Material for Chain Link Fence

Except as noted otherwise, post material shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO
M 181, Type I (zinc-coated steel), Grade 1 or 2, and shall include all round and roll-formed
material (line posts, brace posts, end posts, corner posts, and pull posts).

Round Post Material

Round post material shall be Grade 1 or 2.

Roll Form Material

Roll-formed post material shall be Grade 1.

Roll-formed end, corner, and pull posts shall have integral fastening loops to connect to
the fabric for the full length of each post.

Grade 1 post material shall conform to the weight per linear foot, minimum wall thickness
and detail requirements of ASTM F1043. Grade 1 post material that exceeds the
maximum wall thickness requirement of ASTM F1043 may be accepted, provided it does
not interfere with the proper construction of the fence.

Grade 2 post material shall meet the organic exterior coatings requirements of AASHTO
M 181 (Section 33) and the additional requirement that the interior coated surface shall
be capable of resisting 300 hours of exposure to salt fog with a maximum of 5 percent red
rust when tested in accordance with ASTM B117.

9-16.1(1)B

Chain Link Fence Fabric

Chain link fabric shall consist of 11-gage wire for chain link fence Types 3, 4, and 6,
and 9-gage wire for chain link fence Type 1. The fabric shall be zinc-coated steel wire
conforming to AASHTO M 181, Class C. Zinc 5 percent Aluminum-Mischmetal alloy
meeting the requirements of ASTM B750 may be substituted for zinc coating (hot-dipped)
at the application rate specified by AASHTO M 181 for hot-dip zinc coating. Coating for
chain link fence fabric shall meet the requirements of ASTM A817 with minimum weight
of coating of uncoated wire surface 1.0 oz/sq ft (305 g/m

). The wire shall be woven into

approximately 2-inch diamond mesh. The width and top and bottom finish of the fabric
shall be as specified in AASHTO M 181.

Page 9-134

Fence and Guardrail

9-16.1(1)C

Tension Wire

Tension wire shall meet the requirements of AASHTO M 181. Tension wire galvanizing
shall be Class 1.

9-16.1(1)D

Fittings and Hardware

Except where indicated, fittings shall be malleable cast iron or pressed steel and shall
conform to the requirements of ASTM F626 or AASHTO M 232, whichever is applicable.

Tension truss rods shall be ⅜-inch round galvanized rods with drop forged turnbuckles or
other approved type of adjustment. Couplings for tubular sections shall be outside sleeve
type and shall be at least 6 inches long.

Eye bolts for attaching tension wire shall be ⅜-inch diameter and of sufficient length to
fasten to the type of post being used.

Tension bars shall be ³/

by ¾-inch nominal and cross sectional area shall be

0.141 in

± 5 percent.

Hog rings shall be 12-gage galvanized steel wire. Tie wire shall be 9-gage galvanized steel
wire or 9-gage aluminum wire meeting the requirements of ASTM F626.

Fabric bands and stretcher bars shall meet the requirements of

Section 9-16.6(9)

9-16.1(1)E

Chain Link Gates

Gate frames shall be constructed of not less than 1½-inch (I.D.) galvanized pipe
conforming to AASHTO M 181 Type I, Grade 1 or 2, as specified in

Section 9-16.1(1)A

The corners of the gate frame shall be fastened together and reinforced with a malleable
iron or pressed steel fitting designed for the purpose, or they may be welded. Welding
shall conform to the requirements of

Section 6-03.3(25)

. All welds shall be ground smooth

coated with paint conforming to

Section 9-08.1(2)B

. The paint shall be applied in one or

more coats to provide a minimum dry film thickness of 3.5 mils.

Chain link fence fabric for filling the gate frame shall meet the requirements of

Section

9-16.1(1)B

for the fence type being furnished.

Cross trussing shall be 5/16-inch steel adjustable rods galvanized in accordance with

Section 9-16.1(1)D

Each gate shall be furnished complete with necessary hinges, latch, and drop bar locking
device designed for the type of gate posts and gate used on the project. Gates shall have
positive type latching devices with provisions for padlocking. Hinges, latches, and locking
devices shall be galvanized in accordance with

Section 9-16.1(1)D

Gate frames constructed of steel sections, other than pipe, that are fabricated in such
a manner as to form a gate of equal or better rigidity may be used provided they are
approved by the Engineer.

Fence and Guardrail

9-16

9-16.1(1)F Concrete

All concrete for chain link fence shall be as specified in

Section 6-02.3(2)B.

9-16.2

Wire Fence and Gates

9-16.2(1) General

All materials used in the construction of the wire fence shall be new. All iron or steel
material shall be galvanized. Material upon which serious abrasions of galvanizing occur
will not be acceptable.

9-16.2(1)A

Steel Post Material

Round Post Material
Round post material shall conform to AASHTO M 181, Type I, Grade 1.

Angle Post Material (Channel, T, U, Y, or Other Approved Style)
All angle post material shall be galvanized in accordance with the requirements of
AASHTO M 111, except the anchor plate on fence post material shall be Grade 55. Angle
post used for end, corner, gate, and pull post and brace shall have a minimum weight of
3.1 lb/ft.

Posts shall not be less than 7 feet in length. A tolerance of -5 percent on the weight of
individual posts, braces or anchor plates will be permitted. One type of line post shall be
used throughout the project. Line posts shall be studded, slotted, or properly adapted for
attaching either wire or mesh in a manner that will not damage the galvanizing of posts,
wire or mesh during the fastening. Line posts shall have a minimum weight of 1.33 lbs/
ft and shall be provided with a tapered galvanized steel anchor plate. The anchor plate
shall be securely attached and have a surface area of 20 ±2 in

, and a minimum weight of

0.67 pounds.

9-16.2(1)B

Wood Fence Posts and Braces

Douglas fir, Western red cedar, hemlock, or larch shall be used in the construction of
wood fence posts and braces. The material shall be of good quality and approved by
the Engineer before use. Peeler cores shall not be used for round posts. Wood fencing
materials shall have sufficient sapwood in the outer periphery to obtain the specified
penetration of preservative. Western red cedar will not require preservative treatment.
Fencing materials shall be cut to the correct length before pressure treatment.

Line posts shall be 3-inch minimum diameter round posts or nominal 3 by 3-inch square
sawed posts. If the posts are to be pointed for driving, they shall be pointed before
treatment. Line posts shall be at least 7 feet in length.

Pull posts and brace posts shall be 6-inch diameter round posts or nominal 6 by 6-inch
material not less than 7 feet in length.

Page 9-136

Fence and Guardrail

End, gate, and corner posts, and posts at an intersecting fence shall be 6-inch diameter
round posts or nominal 6 by 6-inch material not less than 7′ 10″ in length.

All sawed posts and timbers shall meet the requirements in the table under

Section 9-09.2

The preservatives used to pressure treat wood fencing materials shall meet the
requirements of

Section 9-09.3

The retention and penetration of the preservative shall be as follows:

Minimum Retention in Pounds Per Cubic Foot

Preservative

Sawed Posts

Round Posts

Creosote

10.00

8.00

Pentachlorophenol

0.50

0.40

ACZA

0.40

CCA

0.40

Minimum Penetration

for material 5 inches or less – 0.40 inches penetration and 90 percent of sapwood
for material 5 inches or greater – 0.50 inches penetration and 90 percent of
sapwood

9-16.2(1)C

Brace Wire

Brace wire shall be 9 gage wire galvanized to meet the requirements of AASHTO M 279,
Type Z, Class 1.

9-16.2(1)D

Staples and Wire Clamps

The staples used to attach the wire fencing to wood posts shall be 9 gage wire, 1½ inches
long, galvanized to meet the requirements of AASHTO M 279, Type Z, Class 1.

The wire clamps used to attach the wire fencing to steel posts shall be 11 gage wire,
galvanized to meet the requirements of AASHTO M 279, Type Z, Class 1.

9-16.2(1)E

Barbed Wire

Barbed wire shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO M 280, Type Z and shall
consist of two strands of 12½-gage wire, twisted with four point 14-gage barbs with
barbs spaced 5 inches apart (Design 12-4-5-14R). Galvanizing shall be Class 3.

Fence and Guardrail

9-16

9-16.2(1)F

Wire Mesh

Wire mesh shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO M 279, Type Z and shall consist
of eight horizontal wires with vertical stays spaced 6 inches apart. The top and bottom
wires shall be 10 gage, and the intermediate wires and vertical stays shall be 12½ gage.
The mesh shall have a total width of 32 inches (Design 832-6-12½). Galvanizing shall be
Class 3.

The zinc coated wire as represented by the test specimens shall be capable of being
wrapped in a close helix at a rate not exceeding 15 turns/minute around a cylindrical steel
mandrel having a diameter the same as the specimen being tested, without cracking or
flaking the zinc coating to such an extent that any zinc can be removed by rubbing with
the bare fingers.

9-16.2(1)G

Vertical Cinch Stays

Vertical cinch stays shall be 10 gage galvanized wire meeting the requirements of
AASHTO M 279, Type Z, Class 1.

9-16.2(1)H

Miscellaneous Hardware

Bolts, nuts, hinges, latches and other miscellaneous hardware shall be galvanized in
accordance with AASHTO M 232.

9-16.2(1)I

Wire Gates

Gate frames shall be constructed of galvanized pipe with a nominal diameter of not
less than 1 inch. The pipe shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO M 181 Type I,
Grade 1. Wire gates shall be not less than 48 inches in height and shall be designed to fit
openings of the width called for in the Plans or as indicated by the Bid items. Each gate
shall be provided with two upright braces of the same material as the frame, spaced at ⅓
points in the gate. All gates shall be provided with adjustable 5/16-inch diameter galvanized
diagonal truss rods from corner to corner. Galvanizing shall be in accordance with

Section

9-16.2(1)H

The gate frame shall be provided with wire mesh conforming to the requirements
specified in

Section 9-16.2(1)F

, except that it shall consist of 10 horizontal wires and have

a total width of 47 inches.

Each gate shall be furnished complete with necessary galvanized hinges and latch
designed for use with the type of gate posts used on the project. The hinges shall be so
designed as to be securely attached to the gate post and to enable the gate to be swing
back against the fence. Double gates shall be hinged in the same manner as single gates
and shall be provided with an approved galvanized drop bar locking device. Galvanizing
for hinges, latches, and locking devices shall be in accordance with

Section 9-16.2(1)H

9-16.2(1)J Concrete

All concrete for wire fence shall be as specified in

Section 6-02.3(2)B

Page 9-138

Fence and Guardrail

9-16.3

Beam Guardrail

9-16.3(1) Rail Element

The W-beam or thrie beams rail elements, backup plates, reducer sections, and end
sections shall conform to A Guide to Standardized Highway Barrier Hardware published
by AASHTO, AGC, and ARTBA. All rail elements shall be formed from 12-gage steel
except for thrie beam reducer sections, reduced length thrie beam rail elements, thrie
beams used for bridge rail retrofits, and Design F end sections, which shall be formed
from 10-gage steel.

The rail splices shall have a minimum total ultimate strength of 80,000 pounds at each
joint.

The 6-inch channel rails and splice plates shall conform to ASTM A36, except that the
channel rails may conform to ASTM A992. All fabrication shall be complete before
galvanizing.

The holes in the plate shall be slotted to facilitate erection and to permit expansion and
contraction. The edges of the rail shall be rolled or rounded so they will present no sharp
edges. Where the rail is on a curve, the plates at the splice shall make contact throughout
the area of splice. When the radius of curvature is less than 150 feet, the rail shall be
shaped in the shop.

9-16.3(2) Posts and Blocks

Posts and blocks may be of creosote, pentachlorophenol, waterborne chromate copper
arsenate (CCA), or ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA), treated timber, or galvanized
steel (galvanized steel posts only – no blocks). Blocks made from alternate materials
that meet the NCHRP Report 350 or MASH criteria may be used in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Wood posts and blocks may be surface four sides (S4S)
or rough sawn.

Posts and blocks shall be of the size, length, and type as shown in the Plans and shall
meet the requirements of the below Specifications.

Timber posts and blocks shall conform to the grade specified in

Section 9-09.2

. Timber

posts and blocks shall be fabricated as specified in the Plans before being treated.
Timber posts and blocks shall be treated by the empty cell process to provide a minimum
retention, depending on the treatment used, according to the following:

Creosote oil

10.0 lbs. pcf.

Pentachlorophenol

0.50 lbs. pcf.

ACZA

0.50 lbs. pcf.

CCA

0.50 lbs.pcf.

Treatment shall be in accordance with

Section 9-09.3

Galvanized steel posts, and base plates, where used, shall conform to either ASTM A36 or
ASTM A992, and shall be galvanized in accordance with AASHTO M 111. Welding shall
conform to

Section 6-03.3(25)

. All fabrication shall be completed prior to galvanizing.

Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction 2020 (M 41-10) - page 84