ASTM F2000-00a
(Guide)Standard Guide for Fences for Ballfields and Other Sports Facilities
Standard Guide for Fences for Ballfields and Other Sports Facilities
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum requirements for various types of fences used in softball and baseball ballfields and other sports facilities and practices for installation.
1.2 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate construction and fabrication practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI values stated in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F 2000 – 00a
Standard Guide for
Fences for Ballfields and Other Sports Facilities
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2000; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope CPSC Staff Recommendations
2.3 ASA and Other Ball Sports Associations:
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum require-
Staff Recommendations
ments for various types of fences used in softball and baseball
2.4 BOCA Document:
ballfields and other sports facilities, and practices for installa-
BOCA National Building Code/1993 – 12th Edition
tion.
2.5 NFPA Documents:
1.2 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety
Staff Recommendations
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC)
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
2.6 ANSI/IEEE Document:
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
ANSI/IEEE C2 National Electric Safety Code
limitations prior to use.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3. Terminology
as standard. The SI values given in parentheses are for
3.1 See Terminology F 552 for definitions of terms relating
information only.
to chain-link fencing.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fence, n—a type of barrier that surrounds and deters
2.1 ASTM Standards:
balls, bats, and passage to or from the playing area.
A 392 Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link
3.2.2 field, n—the outdoor area that has been either desig-
Fence Fabric
nated, designed, constructed, or otherwise used for softball or
A 491 Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Chain-
baseball, or both.
Link Fence Fabric
3.2.3 grade, n—the finished elevation at any specified point
A 700 Practices for Packaging, Marking, and Loading
of the ground or pavement outside or inside the playing area.
Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipment
3.2.4 outdoor, adj—site located outside of a completely
F 552 Terminology Relating to Chain-Link Fencing
2 enclosed building or other structure.
F 567 Practice for Installation of Chain-Link Fence
F 626 Specification for Fence Fittings
4. Summary of Guide
F 668 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)-Coated
2 4.1 Thisguideisbasedinpartuponrecommendationsofthe
Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
task groups concerned with baseball and softball of ASTM
F 1043 Specification for Strength and Protective Coatings
2 Committee F08.
of Metal Industrial Chain-Link Fence Framework
4.2 This guide is directed to outfield fences, side or foul line
F 1083 Specification for Pipe, Steel, Hot Dipped Zinc-
2 fences, and player seating-box fencing.
Coated (Galvanized) Welded, for Fence Structures
F 1183 Specification for Aluminum Alloy Chain-Link
5. Significance and Use
Fence Fabric
5.1 This guide sets forth minimum standard requirements
F 1345 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal
2 for use in local codes and ordinances relating to ballfield
Alloy-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
containments.
F 1664 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)-
2 5.2 This guide does not have the effect of law, nor is it
Coated Steel Tension Wire Used with Chain-Link Fence
intended to supersede local codes and ordinances of a more
2.2 CPSC Document:
restrictive nature.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F14 on Fences and is
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F14.10 on Specific Applications.
Current edition approved July 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally Available from National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park,
published as F 2000–00. Last previous edition F 2000–00. Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.06. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 2000
5.3 Studies, as listed in Annex A1, have been referenced as dance with Specifications A 392, A 491, F 668, or F 1345.
the basis for certain recommendations in this guide and will Other materials shall have blunt edges.
assist those who intend to provide protection against injuries or
6.2 Portable Outfield Fence:
fatalities associated with anticipated thrown or hit balls and
6.2.1 Portable outfield, and often sideline, fencing is gener-
bats as well as passage to or from a ballfield or other sports
ally used when it is necessary to reconfigure the playing field
environment, thus restricting and deterring passage. This
boundary for games in which the classification will change or
would include, but not be limited to, state and local govern-
when the field is to have multiple uses. The potential for injury
ments, model code organizations, building code groups, and
caused by an outfielder colliding with a fence that does not
consumers.Itisunderstoodthattheformatwillvarydepending
meet resiliency, break away, or fall-down requirements is
upon the specific use and local conditions.
significant. The added criteria that must be considered is the
5.4 Articles and studies have noted that fencing for baseball
stability of the cross or horizontal pieces, supports, the panel
or softball sports, or both, should exist for baseball and softball
fabric opening, the vertical pieces and their give away, and the
sports outfields, player seating, and sidelines.
height. Portable fence systems made of specially formulated
polymers in approximate 10-ft (3.05-m) lengths with break-
6. Dimensions and Materials
apart connections and stable support should allow panels to
6.1 Permanent Outfield Fence:
release and fall down in sections when impacted. The collaps-
6.1.1 Height—The top of the fence shall be a minimum of
ibility feature should prevent cartwheeling over the fence and
96 in. (2.4 m) above grade measured on the side of the fence
allow the outfielder to be lowered to the ground in a fall. The
that faces away from the ballfield (see 3.2.3 for the definition
downed panel should quickly and easily return to its original
of grade specific to this guide). The height is to be such that
position and be snapped into place.
players in the outfield can safely attempt to catch a fly ball
6.3 Wood Outfield Fence:
without impaction on the kidneys, back, or head. However, in
6.3.1 Height—The top of the fence shall conform to height
circumstanceswhereitisnecessarytoprotectpeopleorobjects
for other fence types.
outside the fences, the height should be increased accordingly.
6.3.2 Ground Clearance— The clearances shall conform to
Top rail padding systems may also be used. A mid rail is not
prior appropriate sections to eliminate foot entrapment.
needed, in accordance with Specification F 668.
6.3.3 Panels—The panels should conform to prior appro-
6.1.2 Ground Clearance—The maximum vertical clearance
priate sections with the flush side inside the playing area and
between grade and the bottom of the fence shall be no more
shall be covered with a wall padding.
than a 1 in. (25.4 mm) reveal or space, measured on the side of
6.4 Foul Line Fencing:
the fence that faces the ballfield, to avoid entrapment of feet.
6.4.1 Height—The top of the fence shall be a minimum of
6.1.3 Panels—Solid barriers and safety padding that does
not have openings, such as plastic, plywood, or canvas, shall 96 in. to 8 ft (2.44 m) above grade measured at the side of the
fencefromtheballfieldwhereanysidelineobstructionsexistor
not contain indentations or protrusions, except for normal
construction tolerances and joints. Such indentations shall not where objects such as other activity areas, parking lots, and so
forth have to be protected.
be deeper than 0.375 in. (9.5 mm) and should be flush facing
the ballfield.
6.4.2 Ground Clearance— The clearance shall conform to
6.1.4 Horizontal and Vertical Members—Wherethefenceis prior appropriate sections to eliminate foot entrapment.
composed of horizontal and vertical members, the structural
6.4.3 Panels—The panels should conform to prior appro-
members shall be located on the side opposite of the play
priate sections.
environment to prevent encountering the member. The spacing
6.4.4 Horizontal and Vertical Members—The horizontal
between the vertical or horizontal members shall not exceed
and vertical members shall conform to prior appropriate
1 ⁄4 in. (4.44 cm). If of a lattice design, the members shall be
sections.
diagonal.
6.4.5 Diagonal Members—The diagonal members shall
6.1.5 Diagonal Members:
conform to prior appropriate sections.
6.1.5.1 Where the fence is composed of diagonal or other
6.4.6 Fabric or Mesh—Thefabricormeshshallconformto
angular positioned members, such as in a lattice fence, any
prior appropriate sections.
opening created by the diagonal members shall be a maximum
6.5 Spectator Protective Fencing:
of1 ⁄4in.(4.44cm)measuredinitslargestdirection,toprevent
6.5.1 Height—The top of the fence shall be a minimum of
toe holds. Such members should be on the side away from the
8 ft, 0 in. (2.44 m) above grade or of a greater dimension that
ballfield.
ensures protection of spectators from a fouled line drive or
6.1.5.2 Diagonal bracing members extending from one cor-
related trajectory.
ner to the opposite corner, creating a ladder effect on all styles
6.5.2 Ground Clearance—The clearance shall conform to
of fences and gates, are not permitted where spacing of vertical
prior appropriate sections to eliminate
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