What Is CSI Section 32 31 00 for Fencing?

FenceTrac fence systems are specified under CSI Section 32 31 00 (Fences and Gates) on commercial construction projects where architects and engineers use the MasterFormat system to organize project specifications. This section covers the materials, fabrication, installation, and performance requirements for all fencing and gate work on a project, and it is where FenceTrac’s galvanized G90 steel, powder-coated frame, infill products, posts, and gate kits are documented in a commercial bid package.

The Short Answer

CSI Section 32 31 00 is the standardized specification section for fences and gates under the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat system. MasterFormat is the organizational standard that architects, engineers, and general contractors use to structure project manuals on commercial and institutional construction. When a project specification calls for fencing, the requirements appear in Division 32 (Exterior Improvements), Section 32 31 00 (Fences and Gates).

If you are bidding a commercial fence job, submitting a product for architect approval, or providing documentation for a government or institutional project, you will encounter this section number.

CSI Full Color Logo

How MasterFormat Organizes Construction Specifications

MasterFormat divides all construction work into numbered divisions. Each division covers a category of work, and each section within that division covers a specific product or assembly type.

Division 32 is Exterior Improvements. It covers everything installed outside the building envelope that is not part of the structure itself: paving, landscaping, irrigation, site furnishings, and fencing.

Section 32 31 00 is the top-level section for all fences and gates. Subsections break this down further by material or fence type. Common subsections include 32 31 13 (Chain Link Fences and Gates), 32 31 19 (Decorative Metal Fences and Gates), and 32 31 26 (Wire Fences and Gates). A modular steel-frame fence system like FenceTrac may be specified under 32 31 00 directly or under a subsection that the specifying architect determines best fits the product.

Cedar Wood Fence Metal Post Installation

What Section 32 31 00 Contains

A typical 32 31 00 specification section in a project manual includes several parts that define what the fencing must be, how it must perform, and how it must be installed.

Part 1: General

This part covers the scope of work, references to applicable standards (ASTM, ASCE, local building codes), quality assurance requirements, submittals, and warranty terms. For a FenceTrac specification, this is where the architect lists the ASTM E330 wind load test data, ASTM E84 fire rating (if fire-rated fencing is required), and the 20-year frame warranty.

Part 2: Products

This part defines the acceptable materials, manufacturers, dimensions, finishes, and performance criteria. A FenceTrac specification in Part 2 would include the galvanized G90 steel frame rails (3-inch horizontal, 2-inch vertical), powder-coated finish, post sizes (2.5-inch residential, 3-inch or 4-inch commercial), and the specific infill product: LuxeCore aluminum-core composite, UltraBlend PVC, aluminum boards, or another compatible infill option.

Color selections, panel heights (4, 6, or 8 feet), panel widths (6 or 8 feet), and gate configurations are also specified in Part 2.

Part 3: Execution

This part covers installation requirements: post embedment depth, concrete footing specifications, post spacing, fastener types, and alignment tolerances. For FenceTrac, this section references the manufacturer’s installation guidelines for post hole diameter (4x post dimension), concrete depth (3 to 6 inches below the bottom of the post, at least 6 inches below frost line), and the self-tapping screw and carriage bolt fastener system.

Why This Matters for Contractors and Architects

Understanding CSI Section 32 31 00 matters for two reasons.

For fence contractors bidding commercial work, the specification section is the document you are bidding against. Your bid must demonstrate that the product you are proposing meets every requirement listed in the spec. Submitting a product that does not match the spec section gets your bid rejected. Winning commercial fence jobs requires matching the specification precisely and providing the submittals the GC and architect expect.

For architects and engineers writing specifications, Section 32 31 00 is where you define the fence system performance, materials, and installation standards for the project. FenceTrac’s specifications page provides the technical data, material properties, and test reports needed to write or evaluate a 32 31 00 section for a modular steel-frame fence system.

Black Metal Fence Posts in Concrete

FenceTrac Documentation for 32 31 00 Specifications

FenceTrac provides the documentation that architects, engineers, and contractors need to write, evaluate, and respond to a 32 31 00 specification.

Product data sheets with material grades, dimensions, and finish specifications are available on the specifications page. ASTM E330 wind load test reports and ASTM E1886 missile impact test reports from QAI Laboratories document the system’s structural performance under 55.0 psf design wind load. ASTM E84-24 fire test reports document the Class A fire rating for aluminum infill configurations. Stamped engineering drawings are available upon request for projects that require site-specific engineering. Color samples, finish specifications, and CAD details support the submittal process.

For any documentation not available on the specifications page, contact the FenceTrac sales team directly. They can provide project-specific submittals, custom engineering, and additional technical data for your bid or specification.

Stamped Engineering Drawings

Related Questions

Does FenceTrac provide stamped engineering drawings? Yes. FenceTrac provides stamped engineering drawings upon request for projects that require site-specific engineering for permit approval or specification compliance. An engineering fee applies.

How do I request engineering documentation for a commercial fencing bid? Start with the specifications page for standard documentation. For project-specific engineering, stamped drawings, or custom submittals, contact the FenceTrac sales team with your project details.

See Also

FenceTrac architect and engineering specifications for downloadable technical data. Advantages of a modular fence system for commercial properties for a broader look at how modular systems fit commercial project requirements.

Get a Quote for a Commercial Fencing Project

FenceTrac ships fence systems nationally and has been supplying contractors, property owners, and commercial buyers since 2012.

Every system carries a 20-year warranty and is engineered for long-term performance with minimal maintenance.

Pin It on Pinterest