How to Read Fencing & Product Specifications

How do I read a fencing specification?

Read each number with its unit and product type. Height, aperture, wire diameter and roll length describe different properties. A slash-separated title is a compact description, not a complete technical certificate.

Start with the actual WFSA item and current quotation. Check the title, detailed description and required project drawing together. Where these disagree, obtain confirmation rather than choosing the most convenient value.

What do common product descriptions mean?

These examples teach the reading method. They do not imply that every example size or finish is currently stocked. The high-strain mass example uses the actual reviewed ±50 kg description rather than silently turning it into exactly 50 kg.

What is the difference between height, aperture and diameter?

Roll height is the width of the material when installed upright. Roll length runs along the fence. Aperture describes an opening; wire diameter describes the wire itself. A 50 mm mesh opening does not mean 50 mm wire.

For rectangular openings, For hexagonal or diamond patterns, ask how the nominal aperture is measured. A similar number across different constructions does not prove identical clear opening or containment.

Panel width and installed post-centre module are also different. Posts, brackets and end details can affect the installation module. Confirm the drawing before setting foundations.

Which Wholeview aperture dimensions should I use?

WFSA manufactures its current Wholeview range with a 75 mm horizontal block width. High Secure uses 12.7 mm vertical × 75 mm horizontal block width; Medium Secure uses 25 mm × 75 mm; Secure uses 50 mm × 75 mm. Standard panel width is 3,000 mm, with typical 3 mm horizontal × 4 mm vertical panel wire.

Typical confirmed panel information includes 3 mm horizontal wire, 4 mm vertical wire and 3,000 mm panel width. These are separate from aperture and must be matched to the actual supplied panel. Read the Wholeview / Clear View Guide.

High-secure opening, finish, posts, fixing clamps and gate details must still be confirmed for the order. Powder coating, Aluzinc wire and an enhanced polymer option are different specifications, not interchangeable names.

What does a field-fence pattern describe?

In the relevant pattern notation, the first number counts horizontal line wires, the second gives approximate height in centimetres and the third gives approximate horizontal aperture / block width in centimetres. Thus 13 / 188 / 30 does not describe 13 mm wire or a 188 m roll.

The code does not state every horizontal gap or wire diameter. Graduated spacing can produce different openings towards the bottom and top.

A 15 cm block-width version has a denser pattern across the run than a 30 cm version. Choose for animal size and the containment objective rather than calling the closer pattern universally better. See Field Fence.

Are coil mass and metres interchangeable?

No. Diameter, section geometry, material density, coating and actual net mass affect metres per kilogram. Round and oval wire cannot be compared by one nominal dimension alone.

Net product mass, gross shipping mass and a nominal mass designation are different. Do not convert an unexplained shipping field into a certified kg/m value. Where length is stated

A 50 kg label cannot establish tensile strength or coating. Ask for the supplied specification and tolerance if these properties are required. The High-Strain Guide shows the current 2.24 mm listing.

How do I read coating labels?

For the complete explanation of zinc, alloy and outer coating systems, read the WFSA Corrosion, Galvanizing & Protective Coatings Guide.

Coating selection should be based on environmental exposure, project specification and required service life. A colour or a silver appearance is not technical evidence.

What do strength and compliance words mean?

Tensile strength is a material stress value; breaking force also depends on cross-section. Working fence tension is a different design quantity. Do not treat a high-strain name as a published MPa value or a command to pull harder.

HD, standard, Econo and commercial-value are range descriptions. They do not by themselves establish a structural grade, SANS compliance or certification. Request evidence identifying the actual supplied material where the project requires it.

Confirm the required standard when ordering, including current edition and applicability. Historical references must not be presented as current without checking their status.

How should reinforcing and steel labels be checked?

REF193 with 4.8 mm Econo wire is not an automatic substitute for the user-confirmed 5.6 mm SABS-labelled REF193 product. Both may use the family name, while actual material differs. All WFSA reinforcing mesh sheets are confirmed as 2.4 × 6 m; wire and spacing remain separate items.

For hollow steel, external dimensions and wall thickness define the section. Length, finish and grade are additional. The theoretical weight calculation uses geometry and density with stated assumptions; it is not proof of structural capacity or actual delivered weight.

For roofing, distinguish effective cover from overall sheet width and check whether the thickness label refers to base metal or coated total. The roof design determines supports, fixings, laps and drainage.

What should a complete order or quotation specify?

List product type, dimensions with units, construction, finish, grade/strength where required, roll or panel length, net mass if relevant, quantity and any required documentation. Attach the drawing or technical schedule rather than relying only on a trade name.

Separate each width, diameter, coating and range. Specify usable coverage and cut lengths where necessary.

Do not substitute an economy product where a tender, engineer, customer or project specification requires a defined diameter, coating, strength, mass, standard or certification. Resolve contradictions before installation.

Raw Reinforcing Steel: Surface Discolouration and Damaging Corrosion

Reinforcing mesh, Y-bar and certain Brickforce products are supplied as raw or black steel without a protective zinc coating. When raw steel is exposed to humidity, rain, condensation, water or wet storage conditions, a light orange-brown layer of surface oxidation can develop quickly. Light surface rust is normal on uncoated reinforcing steel and does not by itself mean that the material is defective or unsuitable for use. Heavy flaky or scaly corrosion, deep pitting, or significant loss of steel section, mass or dimension is different and should be assessed against the applicable product and project specification.

This guidance applies to raw / black / uncoated reinforcement. Galvanized Brickforce, galvanized steel and coated reinforcement have separate protective-coating specifications and must be assessed accordingly. Surface oxidation does not establish steel grade, compliance or structural suitability; the applicable project specification and responsible engineer determine acceptance where required.

Read the reinforcing mesh and Y-bar surface-condition guidance and black-wire Brickforce guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Supply Descriptions Beyond the Online Shop

The WFSA online shop contains only part of the supply range. A Y-bar description separates nominal diameter from length: WFSA supply diameters are 5.6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25 and 32 mm, with 6, 12 and 13 m lengths. REF sheets are 2.4 × 6 m; Specimesh sheets are separately listed at 2.4 × 1.2 m. Read the reference/range, each wire size, spacing and finish together; names and certification documents serve different purposes.

For the complete tables see reinforcing mesh and Y-barSpecimesh and Brickforce. Request the exact configuration and current branch availability.

Related Technical Guides