Fencing (C-13) · Lesson 4 of 6

Chain-Link Takeoff: Posts, Braces, Fabric, and Fasteners

"Chain-Link Takeoff: Posts, Braces, Fabric, and Fasteners" is lesson 4 of 6 in the Fencing (C-13) Learning Hub. It opens with "Split the Line Into Runs" and works through 5 short steps, then a worked example you can check yourself against.

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Steps in this lesson

  1. Split the Line Into Runs
  2. Line Posts: Round Spaces Up, Subtract One
  3. Brace the Terminal Posts
  4. Fabric Quantity and Specification
  5. Bands, Ties, and Tension Wire

The worked example in the course applies this lesson to a realistic job in 6 steps, from "Line posts" through "Ties and tension wire".

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain the main idea of "Chain-Link Takeoff: Posts, Braces, Fabric, and Fasteners" in plain language you can use on the exam.
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Brace the Terminal Posts".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Fabric Quantity and Specification".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Bands, Ties, and Tension Wire".
  • Test yourself on the worked example and the quick-check quiz inside the classroom.
Chain-Link Takeoff: Caltrans Std Spec 80-3One 183 ft run, 6 ft non-slatted fabric, two end postsRUN ELEVATION (NOT TO SCALE). . .72 in. fabricEnd posts braced to nearest line post9.63 ft o.c.(10 ft max)18 line posts+ 2 end postsFootings drawn small; see Standard Plan A85TAKEOFF FOR 183 FT183 / 10 = 18.3: 19 spaces, 18 line postsPosts: 18 + 2 end = 20Post length = 30 + 72 - 4 = 98 in.Braces: 2 + 2 truss rods (3/8 in.)Fabric: 183 ft, 11 gauge, 20-1/2 countBands: 72 / 12 = 6 each, 12 totalPost ties: 72 / 14 = 6 x 18 posts = 108Wire ties: 183 x 12 / 18 = 122 x 2 = 244Tension wire: 2 x 183 = 366 ftRun is under 1,000 ft, so no bracedline post is needed.RESULT: 20 posts, 2 braces, 183 ft fabric, 12 bands, 352 tiesSource: Caltrans Std Plan A85; Std Specs 80-3.02B-D, 80-3.03 (pp. 1153-1155); CSLB C-13 Study Guide, sample Q1.CC
The diagram for this lesson, exactly as it appears in the Learning Hub.

The first steps of this lesson

Step 1: Split the Line Into Runs

Start by laying out runs between terminal posts. The 2025 Caltrans Standard Specifications §80-3.01B (p. 1152) define a corner as a change in line where the angle of deflection exceeds 30 degrees, and "posts and braces" include the line, end, latch, and corner posts. §80-1.03 (p. 1147) says to measure post spacing parallel to the ground slope, and §80-1.04 measures the fence length parallel to the slope along the fence, not including the width of openings. Count each run separately.

Step 2: Line Posts: Round Spaces Up, Subtract One

Standard Plan A85 shows line posts at 10 ft maximum spacing. Divide the run length by 10 and round UP to get the number of spaces, then subtract 1 for the number of line posts between the two terminal posts. A 250 ft run is 25 spaces and 24 line posts. The actual spacing is the run length divided by the spaces, which is always 10 ft or less. Each post length is the footing depth plus the fabric height less 4 in. (§80-3.02B).

The remaining 3 steps, the worked example and the quiz are in the course. This is a preview. The full lesson, with the step-by-step explanations, a worked example and a quick-check quiz, is inside the classroom.

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