Selecting Your Temporary Fence: A How-To Guide

Temporary construction fencing is not only a necessity on today’s construction project, it is being required by insurance providers as it clearly has demonstrated a considerable return on investment.  It is difficult to imagine a large construction project today without a highly visible temporary construction fence.  However, it is not easy deciding on the location and type of fencing, screening, and gates.  Follow this step-by-step how-to guide to help you both locate and select your temporary fencing. 

Step One:

The first consideration should always be what are your intentions in providing a temporary construction fencing.

• Security!  Of course, security is your number one concern but there are also other important considerations. 
• Promotion.  You are building a testament to your capabilities as a contractor and you want the world to know who is building this monument.  What better way to promote your firm than pasting your name around the entire boundary of the site?  By most standards, this level of signage would be impractical, not per code, and expensive.  However, having your name printed on solid surface screening placed on the temporary fencing, is practical, inexpensive, and encouraged.
• Public Safety.  Your temporary fencing will shape how the general public engages your site.  Buttoning up any entrances, screening areas where construction may happen in close proximity, and using fencing to shape how the public travels back and forth along your site will have a significant impact on public safety. 

Step Two:

Only once you know how you best intend on utilizing your construction temporary fencing; you are ready for the next step which is locating where your fencing, screening, and gates.  In locating your fencing, you will want to consider the following:

• Will subcontractor and employee parking be allowed inside the site?  You may want to consider locating parking outside the fencing.  Vehicles located outside the site will make you less liable for vehicle damage and theft.  By creating a physical boundary between parking and your construction site, you will also reduce the likelihood of theft. 
• Establishing a clear zone.  Locate your temporary construction fencing so that you can establish a 5’ clear zone between the fencing and any construction activities, material storage, equipment, etc.  This removes areas where potential thieves may hide while breaking in and moving materials out.  A wide clear zone also removes any objects for others to climb to get over the fencing.   A continuous clear zone also provides a clear path for you to periodically check your fencing to be sure it remains secure and safe. 
• If promotion is one of your intentions, locate your screening so that it can be easily seen. 
• The location of your temporary fencing will greatly impact public access along the boundaries of your site.  If there is foot traffic along with your construction site, you may want to be sure to allow public access by pulling your fencing in so pedestrians do not have to walk in the street.  If your fencing is located along a busy corner, you may want to diagonal your fencing at corners to allow better visibility for both pedestrians and traffic. 
• Avoid placing your temporary construction fencing where it may have large gaps under the fence. If possible, avoid crossing drainage ditches, swales, and irregular terrain.  Fencing does not easily move up and down through changes in elevation.  Often, you are left with large gaps.  These gaps will invite thieves. 

Step Three:

After locating where your temporary fencing will be installed, you will want to locate any access points and gates.  Follow these considerations that are critical in locating your gates:   

• The fewer points of access appear to be a good plan to control public access and to reduce theft.  However, you will want to consider traffic flow through the site.  You do not want large vehicles attempting to back up in or out of the site.  Locate your access points and gates so that deliveries can easily flow through the site. 
• Place gates on less busy streets and intersections to avoid accidents as vehicles attempt to exit the site. 
• Place gates and access points in highly visible locations.  By placing access points in obscured locations, you are providing thieves an easy point of entry where they will be undetected. 
• Consider snow removal.  If snow cannot easily be pushed through and out the site, you may end up with a lot of snow piles instead of material storage areas and parking.
• Always consider separating your vehicle access points and pedestrian access.  It is good to establish a general rule on-site that all pedestrians access the site through the pedestrian gates and not the drive gates.  This will reduce the likelihood of personal injury accidents and also better control job site theft. 

Step Four:

If you have successfully accomplished steps one through three of this how-to guide, you are ready to consider the design of your temporary fencing. 

There is a wide range of fencing types and options.  Contractors should clearly specify their temporary construction fencing much like they specify products used in building their new facility.  We at American Fence Rental provide a full set of temporary fencing specifications, CAD, and PDF details.

• Do you want panels and stands or post and fabric temporary fencing?  Panels and stands are less impacting to the site and easily relocated. Post and fabric use driven posts which provide a more secure solution. 
• How tall do you want your fence?  6’ tall is typical but 8’ is often used to provide ultimate security.  You will want to check your code restrictions before choosing your height.
• Do you want barbwire on top of your temporary fencing? Barbwire is an anti-trespassing measure to better prevent others from climbing over your fence. 
• Deciding to provide solid screening provides a more professional look to your site.  It removes from public view stored materials, debris, and unfinished work.  It also reduces theft as items are kept out of sight. 

Step Five:

The next step to finishing your temporary fence selection is the selection and size of your gates.  In most cases, your temporary fencing remains untouched while on-site.  However, your gates are constantly being used and abused. 

• Will your gate openings require traffic to both come and go?  Be sure your openings are wide enough to allow for not only traffic coming and going but also turning into the site with large tractor-trailers. 
• Will your swing gates swing in or out?  If your gates must swing out, you will want to be sure these do not swing out into the street, block walkways, and obscure vision.  If swinging in, you will want to be sure these do not block job site traffic or pedestrian walkways. 
• Consider a cantilever slide gate in lieu of swing gates.  Cantilever slide gates are stored along the fence line so no concerns with the swing and storage of the gate.  Cantilever slide gates are also more reliable and easier to operate as these gates are cantilevered over the opening and travel on industrial rollers. Learn more about cantilever slide gates here.

Step Six:

The final step in finalizing your temporary construction fence design is your selection of signage. Providing a physical barrier is not enough. You will want to consider signage that tells others to stay out and stay clear.  Proper signage will also help reduce liability as you are communicating with others the potential dangers that exist behind the fence. 

• The governing rule recognized by authorities is a “No Trespassing” sign every 20′. 
• You may also want to consider additional signage that identifies pedestrian access, and job site dangers (e.g. “No Smoking,” “PPE Required,” “Check-In Before Entry,” etc.).

American Fence Rental is pleased to provide this how-to guide in support of your temporary construction fencing needs.  Temporary fencing is an important part of any construction project.  It is the only barrier between your site and the general public for safety, accidents, and theft.  American Fence Rental encourages you to work with our staff in any of our operations in navigating through these six important steps.

Contact us to speak with a representative or schedule a free quote.

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