CFI Fence Layout & Property Lines 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What color marking indicates underground electrical lines according to the APWA Uniform Color Code used by 811 utility locators?
- Blue
- Yellow
- Red (Correct answer)
- Orange
Correct answer: Red
The APWA Uniform Color Code designates red markings for electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables.
Question 2: When installing a fence on a sloped site and using the 'racked' or 'raked' method, what happens to the fence panels?
- The panels are cut to follow the ground slope at an angle
- The posts are set at varying heights while panels remain level
- The panels follow the contour of the ground, angling with the slope (Correct answer)
- The fence steps down in level increments at each post
Correct answer: The panels follow the contour of the ground, angling with the slope
A racked or raked fence has panels that angle continuously with the slope of the ground, maintaining a consistent gap between the bottom rail and the ground surface.
Question 3: What color marking indicates underground natural gas or oil lines per the APWA color code?
- Red
- Blue
- Yellow (Correct answer)
- Green
Correct answer: Yellow
Yellow markings identify gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous material pipelines under the APWA Uniform Color Code.
Question 4: A fence installer discovers the neighbor's existing fence is actually located 6 inches inside the client's property line. What is the best course of action?
- Install the new fence along the neighbor's existing fence
- Inform the client in writing and let them resolve the boundary dispute before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Install the fence along the true property line without notifying anyone
- Move the neighbor's fence to the correct location as part of the project
Correct answer: Inform the client in writing and let them resolve the boundary dispute before proceeding
Boundary disputes are legal matters between property owners; the installer should document and inform the client in writing so the client can resolve the issue before fence work proceeds.
Question 5: When using batter boards to establish fence layout, what is their primary function?
- Supporting fence posts during concrete curing
- Holding string lines at precise elevations to define the fence line and grade (Correct answer)
- Measuring the depth of post holes
- Securing corner posts before the concrete sets
Correct answer: Holding string lines at precise elevations to define the fence line and grade
Batter boards are horizontal boards attached to stakes set beyond the fence corners that hold string lines, allowing the installer to establish and re-establish precise fence lines and grades throughout the project.
Question 6: What is the purpose of checking for underground water lines (marked in blue) before fence installation?
- To plan fence drainage paths away from the water main
- To avoid excavating through pressurized water lines that could cause flooding and property damage (Correct answer)
- To ensure the fence does not block water meter access
- To reroute irrigation lines before post installation
Correct answer: To avoid excavating through pressurized water lines that could cause flooding and property damage
Striking a pressurized water line during post hole excavation can cause significant flooding, property damage, and service disruption, making it essential to locate and avoid these utilities.
Question 7: On a property with no visible survey markers, what is the most reliable method a fence installer should recommend to confirm property corners?
- Use the neighbor's fence as a reference
- Hire a licensed land surveyor to locate or re-establish the corners (Correct answer)
- Estimate based on the recorded lot dimensions from the plat map
- Use GPS coordinates from a smartphone mapping app
Correct answer: Hire a licensed land surveyor to locate or re-establish the corners
A licensed land surveyor is the only professional authorized to officially locate, verify, and re-establish legal property corners; other methods can result in costly placement errors.
CFI Fence Layout & Property Lines 2
What color marking indicates underground electrical lines according to the APWA Uniform Color Code used by 811 utility locators?