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The Fence Post

Childproof Structures for Zoos

June 30, 2016 | by Debbie Page

The Sad End of Harambe 

It was an incident that shocked the entire world, with both animal lovers and parents everywhere flabbergasted by the outcome of something that could have been easily prevented. The Cincinnati gorilla killing occurred on May 28, 2016, when a 3-year-old child managed to climb through and fall into a herbivorous ape’s enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo, overlooked by the eyes of his mother. Despite her negligence in failing to monitor her son’s behavior, the mother was not charged and instead, Harambe the gorilla was shot dead. To add an even bigger element of shock to the tragedy, footage released after his death exhibited the ape’s seeming protective behavior towards the young boy. 

Gorilla and Fence

Reconsidering Enclosures 

Following the death of 450-pound Harambe, who had celebrated his 17th birthday just the day before he was killed, investigations were demanded by animal rights groups, including Stop Animal Exploitation Now. Aside from the animal’s unfair end to life and the mother’s failure to know her son’s whereabouts, zoos everywhere are now wondering just how they can prevent future disasters such as this. So, what's the answer? To make sure structures are completely childproof.

Creating Enclosures: Finding the Right Fence, Hardware, Mesh, and Netting

Here are some ideas zoos may want to consider to ensure the health and safety of visitors at your wildlife park or zoological garden:

    • Fences – There are so many fence designs and styles to choose from for safety purposes, including class 1 galvanized fences that are coated with a layer of zinc and class 3 galvanized, which are stronger due to their thicker coating. Heavy duty fences and vinyl coated fences will also do the trick.
    • Hardware – Once fences have been installed, they can be strengthened with hardware in the form of earth anchors and ground staples. Consider this if the animals in your zoo are of a heavy weight or possess good climbing capability.
    • Mesh and Netting – The options really are endless when it comes to selecting mesh and netting. For superior safety and rust resistance, hexagonal wire netting will be a worthwhile investment, whereas lightweight sparrow netting will work best for zoo enclosures with small animals, such as birds. Keep in mind that mesh can also be used to reinforce concrete structures.
    • Welded Wire – Stainless steel, vinyl coated, galvanized before (GBW), or galvanized after (GAW) – the choice really is yours. Used widely for the containment of large animals, welded wire offers security that is impenetrable, making it ideal for childproofing purposes.

Barrier Strategy  

Being a zoo owner/supporter means that you are responsible for ensuring that both adults and young ones are safe in their surroundings. Making a decision about which childproof structure would be best for your zoo depends on what animals you house in your enclosures. For example, tall structures should be strategically placed to prevent children from being able to climb over the obstruction. Chain link mesh barriers would be best suited to keep smaller animals in their designated territory, as would net enclosures. Speaking to a professional who can provide you with bespoke solutions will guarantee that your structures are childproof for the long haul.     

Here's a video which describes the incident above in detail:                                                                                     

                                                                            Vinyl Coated Welded Wire Mesh

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Topics: welded wire, galvanized, hex mesh

Vinyl Coated Welded Wire Mesh Fencing Material

July 13, 2013 | by Duncan Page

vinyl coated welded wire fencing material

Delaying Rust and Corrosion

Vinyl Coated (VC) welded wire mesh has been coated with a layer of PVC after the mesh has been welded. This is significant because the vinyl covers the mesh and provides protection against the elements. Rust and corrosion are delayed much longer than with an unprotected Galvanized Before (GBW) mesh.

  • The good news - extended lifetime and attractive appearance
  • The bad news - more expensive than non-vinyl coated material
  • The reason -  addition of PVC coating provides an impervious barrier, protecting the underlying wire from the environment. The protected wire will not rust as quickly.

Looking for a product that is not only attractive but is also able to withstand environmental stresses? VC wire mesh is the perfect one to use!

Wire Gauges, Mesh Openings

It is very important to not only know what to look for, but also what is available when considering VC welded wire fencing materials. There are many choices - something ideal for any project you have in mind.

Wire Gauges: 23, 19, 16, 14, 12-1/2, 11, and 10-1/2

Mesh Sizes: 1/4" x 1/4", 1/2" x 1/2,", 1/2" x 1", 1" x 1", 1" x 2", 1-1/2" x 1-1/2", 1-1/2" x 4", 2" x 2", 2" x 3", 3" x 2", 2" x 4", 3" x 3"

Beware of Inferior Products

Higher quality vinyl coated fencing material costs more than cheaper inferior products. You get what you pay for. People are often fooled by false economy. When you consider the time, hassle and additional expense of premature replacement of your fence, it is clear that a higher initial investment can ultimately save you money.

It is safe to say that the best possible protection and longest life expectancy is offered by a product that is vinyl coated over GAW (Galvanized After Weld) wire mesh. You have rugged double protection with both the zinc and the PVC coatings. While difficult and probably impossible to find in big box retail stores, this mesh is well worth the time and effort of a search. You will not be disappointed. Many, but not all specifications are available with GAW core wires.

Understanding Levels of Quality

If you are concerned with quality, be aware that there are different levels of quality available.

The lowest quality products are those that have coating over plain steel, non-galvanized wire. There is no protective layer of zinc on the wire. In this case, the coating is virtually worthless. Usually, the PVC is not tightly bonded to the underlying wire. It can often be easily scraped off the wire with nothing more than a fingernail. Moisture migrates in between the vinyl and the wire and the mesh rusts from the inside out. It will look fine on the outside when you load it in your shopping cart. But when the wire disintegrates and falls apart you have a mess. Hopefully, this never happens to you.

The next best quality of vinyl coated welded wire meshes are those that have GBW (Galvanized Before Weld) wire under the PVC. The galvanizing protects the wire. But the intersecting areas of the mesh where the welds occur are not well protected. During the welding process, the zinc is burnt away. Although zinc will "flow back" in an attempt to recover the areas, they are the first areas to decay and corrode. It is important to check out how securely the vinyl is attached to the wire. It may or may not be tightly bonded. If you can peel it off with a fingernail, it probably will not last as long as fencing material with a superior coating.

As mentioned above, the best quality products are those with the following characteristics: 1) GAW wire mesh is underneath the PVC; 2) the vinyl is tightly bonded to the wire. The welded areas are thoroughly protected and the vinyl is not easily scraped off the wire. The vinyl coated welded wire fencing material with these characteristics are what you need if you want years of trouble-free service. It is worth the effort required to find them.

A Test for You to Do

The only sure way, though not always possible or recommended, is to try scraping off a small section of vinyl. If you can start it with your fingernail and slide the coating along the wire (see picture below) you know the coating is not tightly bonded. If the coating resists peeling and requires a sharp blade to scrape it off, you will know the coating is tightly bonded.

If the underlying wire is dark gray or black, this means there is plain steel beneath the coating. Make sure this is the product you really want to buy.

If the wire is bright and shiny it is galvanized. Check out the intersecting weld areas. If you see burns and blackened wire it is GBW. This is an example of non-bonded vinyl coating over GBW wire:

pvc peeling off wire mesh

Clumping that You Want!

If the wire is bright and shiny and the welded areas have clumps of zinc around them, the mesh has been galvanized after. This is what GAW mesh looks like:

galvanized after weld example

Check in with Louis Page

Keep in mind that you do have choices and do not have to settle for the products that are right in front of you, especially if they are (or might be) inferior. Be aware that the person working in the store probably knows less than you do about the differences in products and why a different item may be more suited to your needs. Consulting with the experts at Louis Page is a necessary first step.

Vinyl Coated Wire Mesh

Duncan PageDuncan Page signature

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Topics: welded wire, vinyl coated wire, galvanized after, galvanized before

Why Use Baby Saver Rabbit Cage Wire?

May 31, 2013 | by Rick Hoffman

Brown RabbitBaby saver rabbit cage wireGray Rabbit

Keeping Your Kits Safe


BABY SAVER
wire is designed specifically for protecting kits (baby rabbits) in rabbit cages. Unlike standard welded wire mesh which has a 1” x 2” mesh for the entire width, this wire mesh has a ½” x 1” mesh for the bottom 4” which prevents kits from falling or being pulled through the cage.

Even though baby saver wire is more expensive than the standard wire used for rabbit cages, the cost is more than worth it to prevent the loss of kits. After all, what good is a rabbit cage if it does not protect the kits?Baby saver rabbit cage with rabbits

Baby saver is welded from 14 gauge wire and is available in both GAW (Galvanized After Weld) and GBW (Galvanized Before Weld) finish. The GAW wire will last far longer than the GBW. After the welding process, the mesh is drawn through a bath of molten zinc. The weld spots and wires are thoroughly protected from rust and corrosion. Although more expensive initially, you will save the expense and hassle of replacement.

Ordering Details

Rolls are 18” x 100’. The bottom 4” has a mesh opening of ½” x 1” and the top 14” has a mesh opening of 1” x 2”. It is made of 14 gauge galvanized steel wire for strength and security.

Make extra sure those little limbs are safe with our 14 gauge, ½" x ½" baby saver wire.

Protect your kits from an untimely death by choosing baby saver wire so you and your rabbits can enjoy peace of mind! Your Mama rabbits will thank you!

Little red bunny

Baby Saver Rabbit Cage Wire

Rick signature  Rick VP sales Louis E. Page, Inc.

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Topics: welded wire, baby saver, galvanized after

Wire Mesh and Fencing Materials - Know What You're Buying!

April 8, 2013 | by Josh Lane

Woman Punching Men's Face
 
Baffling Big Box

Wire mesh and wire fencing are things in which people just don’t have much knowledge. It's rare that someone at the big-box home improvement store, or a relative or neighbor for that matter, might know something about how to select it. Wire fence is sort of a specialty item, and if you find yourself in need of it, information tailored for the end consumer can seem scarce. An ignorant seller can pass on this lack of knowledge to the customer and you end up with an unhappy buying-selling relationship. Even a good-intentioned seller can spread costly misinformation while meaning to help. The customer meanwhile is more inclined to believe what he or she is told, particularly when that means a lower price.

To Illustrate: A Fictional Conversation

How bad information can be circulated. 

Characters:

Big Box Bob--mowed lawns and weed-whacked as part of a grounds maintenance team, now in school to be an electrician and working as an apprentice.

Frugal Francine--Francine is an accountant by day and tends her garden and cares for her two Doberman pinschers on nights and weekends.

Scene: In the lawn and garden section of a local big-box retailer. 

Francine (approaches Bob): Hi. I want some fence to replace the rusty old chicken wire I put around my garden. There were a couple of rolls of it when I bought the house and I usually just replace it every couple of years when it gets too mangled to deal with. I’m sick of that though. I can’t be replacing the fence every year, and plant my garden, and still have time for my dobies. I’d rather just put something up that’s going to last. I’ve looked online a little and found that there are several options for a garden fence. They all sound like they are built to last a long time, but there is so much difference in price between the different types of...of...galvanized wire, and then even more disparity between the galvanized and the...the...vinyl coated wire. Incredibly, not even all vinyl-coated wire is the same price. Is there really that much difference in quality, or is it all a big scam? I’m so frustrated. I just want a fence that will be permanent. What I value, is reliability and I don’t want to pay for fancy stuff that I don’t need. Please help me!

Bob: Francine I totally understand your frustration and I think I can help. I’ve actually never worked with wire mesh or fencing, but I do have some knowledge about what galvanizing does and I have some thoughts about what you are paying for with some of the fancier vinyl-coated stuff.

Francine: Oh Bob, you're wonderful! Please! Tell me how it is.

Bob: Fran, It’s like this. Galvanizing is a process by which a protective zinc coating is applied to steel or iron so that it does not rust (Wikipedia). If the fencing is galvanized, then that is all you need for it to last indefinitely assuming it doesn’t get cut or trampled. All the other things like galvanized after weld and the different types of vinyl coating are for aesthetic purposes, or to make it stronger to keep animals in or something. So, if you want to save some moolah and still have a fence that lasts forever, I would just get the inexpensive, galvanized before weld, welded wire. Any other questions, Franny?

Franny: Hmm...what you say sure sounds technical and smart. I’ll admit that saving a few dollars would be really nice. I really appreciate you not pushing the pricey stuff on me. Are you sure galvanized won’t rust?

Bob: Yes. Sure, looked it up me-self. (First sentence about galvanization on Wikipedia.)

Fran: Okay Bob. I really appreciate your expertise. I’ll take a roll and some 6-foot steel posts, please.

Bob: Dealio!  (And...scene.)
 

Differences

So, you can see how there are no bad intentions here. Bob thinks he is being very decent and fair, and Francine feels as though she has been treated well and will never have to replace this galvanized fence. Unfortunately, Bob’s instincts have not served him well, and Francine’s trust has been misplaced. Galvanized does not last forever. The chart below from Bekaert Corporation gives an idea of how long galvanized can last and the difference between types of galvanized wire.

galvanized wire chart

First Signs of Rust

Depending on the type of galvanizing that is done, Francine could be looking at one year or less before she starts to see rust forming on her “rust-proof” fence. How will Francine feel about Bob when the first signs of rust appear at the weld points on her fence? What distinguishes a long-lasting fence from a semi-temporary one can be seemingly subtle differences. It is worth it to find someone who has taken the time to know the difference between the vast array of products available.

Josh signature      Josh Lane

Galv After Welded Wire Mesh

 

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Topics: wire mesh, welded wire, galvanized after

Take A Video Tour Of Oklahoma Steel's Fencing Materials Plant

July 30, 2012 | by Duncan Page

Very Proudly American Made 

From scrap to wire rod to finished woven and welded wire mesh fence materials - Oklahoma Steel and Wire does it all. Barbed and barbless wire, welded wire fence and panels, field and farm fence, high tensile deer and wildlife fence, sheep and goat fence, and 2" x 4" and V-mesh horse fence.  

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Topics: woven wire, welded wire, field fence

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