Pitch Perimeter Fence Installation Guide

System Specification Summary

Confirm these apply to your order before starting. If anything does not match what you have received, contact us before digging any holes.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Site Survey & Mark-Out

   Begin with a thorough site survey. Establish your fence line at a minimum of 2,250mm from the edge of the playing area on all four sides — measured from the turf edge, not the painted line. Even where the FA or RFU minimum is 1,830mm, we recommend 2,250mm across all levels. It meets the FA Step 1 requirement outright and means the barrier never needs moving on promotion.

   Use string lines and corner stakes to mark the full perimeter accurately, checking both diagonals for square. Mark each post position at 2,500mm centres along the string line. Check your total perimeter length against your order before proceeding — any discrepancy should be queried with us before digging begins. Our measuring guide works through the arithmetic.

   Mark gate positions at this stage. We recommend two 3.0m double gates and two 1.5m single gates as standard on a full pitch, covering player, official, maintenance and emergency vehicle access. Confirm gate positions before digging, as gate posts are doubled up and need a wider excavation.

2. Dig Post Holes

   Dig a hole at each marked position to a depth of 750mm, at 300mm diameter — wide enough for a full concrete surround on all sides of the post.

   An auger or mechanical post hole borer is strongly recommended for any installation of more than 20 posts. Manual digging on compacted, clay or stony ground is extremely labour-intensive and produces inconsistent depths. Consistent hole depth is what gives you a level rail line — any variation shows in the finished fence.

   At gate positions, dig wide enough for two posts side by side with a full concrete surround. Gate posts are doubled up, two per hinge side and two per latch side, giving four posts per opening.

3. Set Posts in Concrete

   Lay a 150mm concrete base in the bottom of the hole and stand the post on it. The post is supplied at 1,800mm and sits at 600mm embedment, leaving 1,200mm above ground. Check it is perfectly vertical on two axes with a plumb line or spirit level. Have an assistant hold the post or use temporary bracing while you pour — this step needs two people minimum.

   Fill the concrete surround to 150mm below ground level. Do not fill to the top of the hole. That remaining 150mm is backfilled with soil once the concrete has cured, giving a clean grass finish at the base of each post with no concrete visible above ground.

   Recheck vertical alignment while the concrete is still wet and adjust if needed. Then leave the post undisturbed. Allow a minimum of 24 hours curing in normal conditions before fitting any rails or panels, and longer in cold weather below 5°C — concrete cures significantly slower at low temperatures.

   Repeat for all fence posts before moving on. At gates, set both posts for each opening together so the hinges and latch line up.

4. Install Rails

   Once all posts are set and the concrete is fully cured, fit the rails. Slide the rail ends into the mortise holes in each post — three per post, one for each rail. Each rail is 2,449.2mm overall with a 38.1mm tenon at each end; engage to the full tenon depth.

   At each post, leave a 10–12mm thermal expansion gap between the end of one rail and the start of the next. This gap is essential — without it the rails buckle in hot weather as the PVCu expands. Use a 10mm spacer offcut to set it consistently.

   Work systematically around the full perimeter, fitting all rails before moving to the mesh. Check the rail line is level as you go — any post that has moved during curing will show up at this stage.

5. Install Mesh Panels

   Mesh panels are supplied separately from the posts and rails. Each panel slots between the rails using the pre-drilled holes, engaging along the top and bottom edges and clipping into position. No additional fixings, screws or tools are needed for this step.

   Work bay by bay, fitting one panel per bay on single mesh or two on double mesh, and check each is fully seated before moving on. The pre-drilled system is quick — an experienced team fits a bay every two to three minutes once the rails are in.

6. Fit Gates

   Gate posts are installed using the same method as fence posts — 750mm hole, 150mm concrete base, 600mm embedment, concrete surround to 150mm below ground, soil backfill above. As noted, gate posts are doubled up, two side by side at the hinge position and two at the latch, for each opening. That doubling provides the rigidity to carry the weight of a swinging leaf and withstand repeated use, including by vehicles.

   Once gate posts are fully cured, fit the gate panels. Hang the hinges first, then the latch hardware. All gate hardware is Grade 304 stainless steel and will not rust or corrode outdoors. Fit the drop bolt to double gates so the gate can be secured open during machinery access.

   Check every gate opens, closes and latches freely, and that the drop bolt engages fully into the ground socket. Adjust hinge position if needed before fully tightening.

7. Final Inspection & Sign-Off

   Once all rails, panels and gates are fitted, walk the full perimeter before signing off.

   At every bay, check: rails correctly seated in the mortise holes at both ends · the 10–12mm expansion gap present at each post · mesh panels fully seated with no lifting edges or loose sections · no post moved from vertical during installation.

   At each gate, check: opens, closes and latches correctly · hinges tight · drop bolt engages the ground socket · the gap between gate and post consistent top and bottom.

   Finally, measure the setback from the playing area on all four sides and record it, and confirm there is no gap between the barrier and the spectator hardstanding — that is a published criterion and it is easily missed. For grant-funded projects, retain the measurements for your completion report.

Post foundation cross-section — 300mm diameter hole, 750mm deep. Post at 600mm embedment on a 150mm concrete base, with 150mm soil backfill at the surface.

Tools Required

Required or recommended for a standard full-pitch installation. Quantities depend on team size.

How Long Does Installation Take?

Installation time depends on team size, ground conditions and whether you have mechanical equipment. As a guide for a standard 11-a-side pitch of roughly 350m perimeter and about 140 posts:

Need Help? We're Available Throughout Your Installation

Every supply-only order includes phone support from our team throughout your installation. If you hit anything — ground conditions, corner details, gate alignment — call us on 01282 526428, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. We would far rather spend ten minutes on the phone than have something go wrong that shows in the finished fence.

Norvale Sport is a trading name of The Outdoor Look Limited, registered in England and Wales No. 11676614. VAT No. 232 7154 28.