Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)

A390: Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)

When designing secure and durable enclosures for livestock or protecting sensitive areas, specifying the right fencing material is paramount. ASTM A390 provides the essential technical framework for ensuring the quality and performance of zinc-coated (galvanized) steel poultry fence fabric, a critical component in agricultural and construction applications. This authoritative standard offers engineers and designers the confidence that the materials they select will meet rigorous performance criteria.

What is A390?

ASTM A390, "Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)," is an industry-leading standard that defines the requirements for galvanized steel wire fabric used primarily for poultry enclosures and general area containment. Originating from ASTM Committee A05, its primary purpose is to establish a comprehensive set of criteria for manufacturing, material properties, dimensions, and coating quality, ensuring reliable and long-lasting fence performance.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the manufacturing and quality assurance of three primary types of zinc-coated steel fence fabric: hexagonal mesh poultry netting, rectangular mesh poultry-and-garden fence fabric, and chick fence fabric (featuring closer bottom spacing). It specifies requirements for the base metal, zinc coating weight and application, dimensional tolerances for mesh size, height, and wire spacing, as well as workmanship standards for fabrication. The standard does not cover the specific installation methods or structural design of the fence system itself, but rather the inherent properties of the fence fabric material.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, Product Designers, Purchasing Agents, and Manufacturing Supervisors.
• • Industries affected: Agriculture, Livestock Farming, Manufacturing (fence production), and Construction.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but often mandated by procurement specifications and contractual agreements.
• • Enforcement: Typically enforced through quality control inspections, third-party testing, and purchaser acceptance criteria.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that the base metal used for the fence fabric be of good commercial quality steel wire. Professionals must ensure that the zinc coating applied meets specific weight and adhesion criteria, tested in accordance with ASTM A90/A90M. Key provisions include adherence to specified dimensions for mesh openings, fabric height, and wire spacing, with defined permissible variations to accommodate manufacturing processes. The standard also outlines acceptable workmanship practices for wire splicing, joint wrapping, and the overall uniformity of the fabric.

Related Standards & References

ASTM A390 often works in conjunction with other ASTM standards. Proven complementary standards include:

• • ASTM A90/A90M: Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings, which provides the detailed methodology for verifying coating weight.
• • ASTM B6: Specification for Zinc, ensuring the quality of the zinc used for galvanizing.
• • ASTM A902: Terminology Relating to Metallic Coated Steel Products, offering standardized definitions for terms used within A390 and related standards.