Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/131533
72 • JUNE 2013 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Myths and facts about saw-cut loops continued from page 70 loops for a variety of reasons, including: • The insulation absorbs water – This can lead to intermittent loop failures caused by circuit drift. Loops wrapped with TFFN / THHN will often short to ground after heavy rain or drenching by morning sprinklers; when the groove dries out the loop will resume working again. • The insulation is easy to nick. • The insulation breaks down in hot weather and shorts to ground. After the temperature decreases, the shorting effect goes away, causing intermittent problems. • These types of wires are designed for home/building electrical wiring run through conduit; they were not designed for direct burial. You should visit http://www.bdloops.com/bdloops_lab.html to view our THHN / TFFN wire test. Many of the issues caused by TFFN / THHN wire can lead to frustrating repeat service calls for issues that are difficult to diagnose. The best wire options for loops are: • A preformed loop with a continuous flow outer jacket that prevents air pocket issues by not allowing wire movement. • XLPE or XLP (cross-linked polyethylene). This is the best wire to use for wrapping loops by hand. Bridgeport, CT Phone: 800-221-0340 Fax: 203-330-9578 Great Neck, NY Phone: 888-287-4942 Fax: 516-482-0808 A Division of Bushwick Metals, Inc. A Division of Bushwick Metals, Inc. www.bushwickmetals.com Marginal surface area – Should a loop be installed? I think we've all had nerve wracking loop installation jobs where we were expected to cut a loop into terribly cracked up asphalt or concrete. Sometimes these jobs have even had loops installed previously that have failed within the first year. This type of application was something we considered when designing our saw-cut loop. We found that a loop with a thick and durable independent outer jacket made out of a tough material such as polyethylene offers the best protection against a marginal surface. The independent outer jacket is essentially an additional layer of protection that helps prevent the wire insulation from tearing. The outer jacket also holds all the wire together and is more likely to stay at the bottom of the groove which will prevent individual wraps of wire from rising to the surface as the ground cracks and shifts. Fence ordinances from around the country Englewood, NJ Phone: 800-631-1543 Fax: 201-567-9530 Richboro, PA Phone: 800-221-7781 Fax: 215-364-2612 Your Metals Partner for Fencing and Guard Rail Products • Galvanized Pipe • Fence Tube • Galvanized Squared Tube • Guard Rail • Stainless Pipe and Tube Complete line of Carbon and Stainless Products loop size (What is the largest size loop you can install?); placement (How far should loops be installed from the gate? How about the curb? Or other loops?); sealant (What should you really be using?); and more. About the author: Ted Dickson is the owner of BD Loops, a designer of preformed direct burial and saw-cut inductance loops for the gate, door, and parking industries, in business for over 11 years. BD Loops products are available through over 220 distributors in the U.S. and Canada. BD Loops offers 46 standard preformed loop sizes, and all standard and custom loop sizes are ready to be shipped the same day. The company is a member of the following associations: AFA, IDA, NOMMA, IPI, CODA and IMSA. Visit www.bdloops.com and use the distributor locator to find a distributor near you. If you have any questions about this article, call 714-890-1604. Even with all the information we've packed into this article, we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to saw-cut loops. Be on the lookout for a follow up article that contains a wealth of information on SECURE GATE SYSTEMS, INC. Toll Free 866-725-6995 • www.securegatesystems.net The Original Manufacturer of Preassembled High Security Emergency Egress Gates. Opens Every Time with Patented Reliability. As part of an ongoing and longstanding series, World Fence News offers this "snapshot" of building ordinances which affect fence installations from municipalities across the United States and Canada. This information was taken from official internet sites, but you should always consult the appropriate building departments where you plan to work for specific requirements. Arlington, Texas A fence permit is required any time a fence is being replaced or installed on a corner lot; if you have a swimming pool in the rear yard; if you are changing the height, location, or materials of the fence (going from chain link to wood or from wood to wrought iron, etc.); or if you are installing a fence where one has never existed before. Many subdivisions have specific requirements for fencing materials. Some of these rules are city ordinances and some are private deed/HOA restrictions. The city will enforce city ordinances, but it is the homeowner's responsibility to know and abide by private deed/HOA restrictions. Note: If you are installing a fence over a driveway and wish to install gates that swing open, you may not allow those gates to swing into the right-of-way (or into an alley). Corner lots — When installing a fence on a corner lot with an alley (for continued on page 74