- Line post
- An intermediate post set between terminals along a straight run, spaced at regular intervals to hold the top rail and fabric. Its footing is smaller than a terminal's, but its depth and spacing determine how well the fence resists wind.
- Terminal post
- A post at an end, corner, gate or sharp change of direction that carries the pull of stretched fabric. It is larger than a line post and braced, and its footing is bigger because it resists the tension of the whole run.
- Tension band
- A flat metal strap that wraps a terminal post and holds a tension bar threaded through the fabric. Band count and spacing depend on fence height, and each one is a point where the pulled fabric anchors to the post.
- Tension bar
- A flat bar woven through the end row of chain-link fabric so the pull is shared across the full height instead of a few wire ends. It is what the tension bands clamp to the terminal post.
- Tension wire
- A heavy wire stretched along the bottom or top of a chain-link run, tied to the fabric to keep it taut and stop it from lifting or pulling away. It substitutes for a rail where rails are not used.
- Top rail
- The horizontal pipe along the top of a chain-link fence, passing through caps on line posts, that stiffens the fence and gives a finished edge. Its sleeves connect lengths, and it expands with heat, so joints are made accordingly.
- Knuckled selvage
- An edge finish on chain-link fabric where wire ends are bent into closed loops, making a smooth edge, usually the top, that is safer to touch. The opposite twisted finish leaves sharp barbs and is used at the bottom or on security fences.
- Galvanized-after-weaving fabric
- Chain-link fabric woven from bare wire and then dipped in zinc, so the coating covers the intersections too. It differs from galvanized-before-weaving wire, and the exam expects you to match each designation to its coating method.
- Fusion-bonded vinyl fabric
- Chain-link wire with a vinyl layer melted onto the metal so the coating is part of the wire and does not peel. This type, rated by its ASTM class, is chosen for color, appearance and corrosion resistance.
- Footing crown
- The slight slope of the concrete surface around a post, built to shed water away from the metal. A flat or sunken top lets water pond at the pipe and speeds corrosion where the post meets concrete.
- Embedment depth
- How far a post is buried below grade. For loaded posts, such as signs, flagpoles and tall solid fences, the depth is figured from lateral load, height and soil resistance, not only guessed by crew habit.
- Drop rod
- A vertical rod on the latch side of a double gate that slides into a hole in the ground to hold the leaf closed. It keeps the first leaf from swinging while the second is latched.
- Self-closing, self-latching gate
- A gate with hardware that shuts it from any open position and engages the latch without anyone touching it. It is a key feature of enclosures around swimming pools, where the release is placed out of a child's reach.
- Pool barrier
- A fence or wall required around a swimming pool that meets rules for height, ground clearance, opening size and gate behavior. These characteristics are unique to pools, and the exam may ask which one applies to a given design.
- Picket
- A narrow vertical board or bar attached to rails in wood, vinyl, aluminum or steel fences. Its width and gap determine privacy and whether a sphere passes between them, which matters around pools and play areas.
- Cantilever slide gate
- A gate carried on rollers that moves sideways along the fence line with a counterbalance extension, so nothing touches the ground. It needs a footing for its roller posts and clear space beside the opening.
- T-post
- A rolled steel post with a T-shaped cross-section and anchor plate, driven into the ground rather than set in concrete. It is the common line post for agricultural wire fences, holding woven or barbed wire at intervals.
- Fabric stretcher
- A come-along or bar-and-puller setup that pulls chain-link fabric tight against a terminal post before it is fastened. Stretching too little leaves sag, while overdoing it can bend the posts.
- Underground Service Alert ticket
- The record number issued when you notify the one-call center before digging. It starts a waiting period and a validity window, so the post hole work must happen within that period, and marks must be respected.
