CFC CFC Site Preparation & Layout 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When setting fence posts in concrete, how should the top of the concrete footing be finished?
- Flush and level with the surrounding ground surface
- Slightly crowned above grade to shed water away from the post (Correct answer)
- At least 6 inches below ground level
- At least 12 inches above grade as a visible cap
Correct answer: Slightly crowned above grade to shed water away from the post
Crowning the concrete slightly above grade directs water away from the post base, reducing moisture intrusion that causes rot in wood posts and corrosion in metal posts.
Question 2: Which post type is required at corners, ends, and gate locations due to the greater structural loads at these positions?
- Line post
- Terminal post (corner or end post) (Correct answer)
- Splice post
- Decorative accent post
Correct answer: Terminal post (corner or end post)
Terminal posts are larger and set deeper than line posts because they anchor the tension of the entire fence run and must resist greater lateral and pulling forces.
Question 3: A fence post that is not plumb after being set in fresh concrete is best corrected by:
- Pouring additional concrete around the base
- Adjusting the post position before the concrete cures (Correct answer)
- Adding extra rails to stabilize it
- Replacing the post after the concrete sets
Correct answer: Adjusting the post position before the concrete cures
Plumb corrections must be made while the concrete is still workable; once cured, the post cannot be adjusted without demolition and resetting.
Question 4: To prevent premature rot, wood fence posts that will be embedded in the ground should be:
- Painted with latex paint on the above-ground portion only
- Pressure-treated with preservative rated for ground contact (UC4B or higher) (Correct answer)
- Sealed only with linseed oil
- Set in sand to allow drainage
Correct answer: Pressure-treated with preservative rated for ground contact (UC4B or higher)
Ground-contact pressure treatment (UC4B or UC4C) penetrates the wood fibers with preservative chemicals that resist fungal decay and insect attack below grade.
Question 5: For a chain-link fence installation, what is the typical maximum spacing between line posts?
- 6 feet
- 8–10 feet (Correct answer)
- 12–14 feet
- 20 feet
Correct answer: 8–10 feet
Chain-link line posts are typically spaced 8 to 10 feet on center; closer spacing may be needed for taller fences or high-wind areas.
Question 6: Before installing a fence along what the homeowner believes is the property line, the safest action for the contractor is to:
- Begin immediately based on the homeowner's verbal description
- Obtain a current survey or verify the boundary using a recorded plat map (Correct answer)
- Ask adjoining neighbors to confirm the line
- Use the existing landscaping as the boundary reference
Correct answer: Obtain a current survey or verify the boundary using a recorded plat map
Only a licensed survey or official plat provides a defensible legal boundary; proceeding without verification risks encroachment disputes, removal orders, and liability.
CFC CFC Site Preparation & Layout 2
When setting fence posts in concrete, how should the top of the concrete footing be finished?