A fence is your first line of defence, and as such, every component, especially the fencing post, plays a vital role in the structural stability and rigidity of your barrier of protection. Fences fail when strainer posts aren’t embedded in soil at the correct depth, when corner posts haven’t been properly placed, and when the spacing between intermediate posts is irregular. As the leader in fencing fabrication and supply, we at Chemvet Steel & Fencing would like to take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of fencing posts and how, without them, your choice of fence would be ineffective.
Ensuring Your Fence Line Remains Stable
Just as a building requires a foundation, walls, windows, and a roof, fencing requires various posts, stays, and cross braces to ensure that the fence line remains intact.
-
Straining Posts
The purpose of a strainer fencing post is to provide the structural element to a fence line. Straining posts are required at the start and end of a fence line, when the topography changes, as well as when the fence changes direction. As these posts are subjected to horizontal and vertical forces, they need to be installed deep into the soil. Generally, it is advisable that they are embedded at a depth of two and a half times the length of the other posts. For electrical and security fencing, straining posts are placed in accordance with the type of fence line. For example, a free-standing electrical fence has straining posts installed at a maximum of 100 metres apart, whereas a piggy-back electrical fence requires 30-metre post intervals.
-
Corner Posts
As the name suggests, corner posts are placed at the corners of your fence line. Together with straining posts, this fencing post is set deep into the corners so that it can support the fence and withstand the strain put on it. Installing them approximately 1 metre into the ground provides adequate support, especially when constructing barbed wire and field fencing.
As the horizontal wires are off the ground, we at Chemvet Steel & Fencing stress that it is imperative that the bracing is done correctly to achieve the correct tension and rigidity along the wires. As much as straining posts as relied upon to provide the structural support and longevity of the entire fence line, corner posts are needed to give the fence additional strength.
-
Intermediate Posts
With the supporting strength provided by the strainer and corner fencing post, intermediate posts are placed in equidistance between them to maintain the height and firmness of the fence line. Intermediate Y-standard posts are ideal for several types of wire fencing as they have notches in them which aid in holding the horizontal lengths of wires firmly in place. Ideally, the spacing between intermediate posts should be approximately 2.4 metres; however, this is dependent on the type of fence being installed.
Handy Post-Spacing Tip
The setting of your straining, corner, and intermediate posts needs to be done correctly to ensure the performance of the fence line. Due to the loads and stresses placed on fencing, especially stock fencing, if posts are not placed at regular intervals, it will be detrimental to the longevity and durability of the fencing.
Considering the critical part that fencing plays in agriculture as well as in protecting property, wouldn’t it be wise to put your faith in a company that has set the benchmark in steel products for over 40 years, Chemvet Steel & Fencing? Contact us and we will gladly assist you with your fencing requirements.
