ASTM D6462-19
(Practice)Standard Practice for Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance
Standard Practice for Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Proper installation is critical to effective performance of silt fence. This practice presents procedures for installing and maintaining silt fence that have been shown to result in silt fence installations that effectively redirect and impound surface runoff and, thereby, provide effective sediment control.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers common installation and maintenance procedures for temporary silt fence applications. This practice is based on AASHTO M288.
1.2 This practice is applicable to the use of silt fence as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended soil from overland, non-concentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil particles from sediment laden water by intercepting and impounding water in an effort to slow the transport velocity and provide storage for sediment to be captured. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from the construction site by water runoff.
1.3 The practices presented herein are intended to ensure good workmanship and quality, but do not necessarily apply to the concentrated flow applications.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents, therefore each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 This practice offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 14-Jun-2019
- Technical Committee
- D18 - Soil and Rock
- Drafting Committee
- D18.25 - Erosion and Sediment Control Technology
Relations
- Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2016
- Refers
ASTM D4632/D4632M-15 - Standard Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of Geotextiles - Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2009
Overview
ASTM D6462-19: Standard Practice for Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance provides widely recognized guidance for the installation and maintenance of silt fences-key tools in sediment control at construction sites. The focus of this practice is ensuring effective performance by outlining procedures that promote the trapping of suspended soil in non-concentrated surface runoff, crucial for environmental protection and regulatory compliance. This standard, developed by ASTM International, supports consistent, quality installations, helping limit erosion and sediment transport from construction areas.
Key Topics
- Scope and Purpose
- Addresses common procedures for temporary silt fence applications, suitable as vertical permeable barriers.
- Designed to intercept, redirect, and impound sediment-laden runoff, slowing water transport and enabling particle settlement.
- Does not cover concentrated flow scenarios; best for diffuse, overland flow conditions.
- Material Specifications
- All materials must comply with ASTM D6461/D6461M requirements, ensuring durability and effectiveness.
- Certification of compliance must be provided by suppliers, and all materials are subject to sampling and testing.
- Installation Procedures
- Specifies proper fence height, post spacing, support requirements, and burial depth to prevent water bypass and ensure structural integrity.
- Details both trench construction and soil slicing methods, emphasizing the importance of compacted soil around the installed fence.
- Maintenance Practices
- Routine inspection after rainfall and during prolonged rain events.
- Prompt correction of deficiencies and removal of accumulated sediments when they reach half the fence height.
- Guidelines for repair, relocation, and ultimate removal, including restoration and revegetation of disturbed areas.
Applications
ASTM D6462-19 is practical for a variety of construction and land development projects, including:
- Construction Site Runoff Management
- Prevents loss of topsoil and sediment during grading, excavation, and infrastructure development.
- Essential for compliance with state, federal, and local stormwater permits and environmental regulations.
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
- Integrates easily into broader site management strategies to protect nearby waterways and minimize negative environmental impact.
- Helps meet requirements of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for sediment control.
Organizations benefit from this standard by:
- Reducing Environmental Impact
- Minimizing the transport of eroded soil offsite, thereby protecting adjacent properties and natural resources.
- Meeting Regulatory Requirements
- Satisfying common conditions in construction permits and environmental oversight programs.
- Promoting Site Safety and Quality
- Providing guidelines to avoid improper installations that may fail or cause harmful flooding.
Related Standards
For optimal silt fence installation and sediment control, reference to the following related standards is highly recommended:
- ASTM D653 - Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
- ASTM D3740 - Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
- ASTM D4632/D4632M - Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and Elongation of Geotextiles
- ASTM D6461/D6461M - Specifications for Silt Fence Materials
- AASHTO M288 - Specification for Geotextile Specification for Highway Applications
Conclusion
ASTM D6462-19 is an essential industry resource for anyone involved in construction, environmental management, or regulatory compliance regarding sediment and erosion control. Adherence to this standard helps ensure effective silt fence installations, environmental stewardship, and safer, more sustainable construction practices. For further detail and up-to-date requirements, always refer to the latest official standard documentation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D6462-19 is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Proper installation is critical to effective performance of silt fence. This practice presents procedures for installing and maintaining silt fence that have been shown to result in silt fence installations that effectively redirect and impound surface runoff and, thereby, provide effective sediment control. Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers common installation and maintenance procedures for temporary silt fence applications. This practice is based on AASHTO M288. 1.2 This practice is applicable to the use of silt fence as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended soil from overland, non-concentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil particles from sediment laden water by intercepting and impounding water in an effort to slow the transport velocity and provide storage for sediment to be captured. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from the construction site by water runoff. 1.3 The practices presented herein are intended to ensure good workmanship and quality, but do not necessarily apply to the concentrated flow applications. 1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents, therefore each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. 1.5 This practice offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Proper installation is critical to effective performance of silt fence. This practice presents procedures for installing and maintaining silt fence that have been shown to result in silt fence installations that effectively redirect and impound surface runoff and, thereby, provide effective sediment control. Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers common installation and maintenance procedures for temporary silt fence applications. This practice is based on AASHTO M288. 1.2 This practice is applicable to the use of silt fence as a vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended soil from overland, non-concentrated water flow. The function of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil particles from sediment laden water by intercepting and impounding water in an effort to slow the transport velocity and provide storage for sediment to be captured. The purpose is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from the construction site by water runoff. 1.3 The practices presented herein are intended to ensure good workmanship and quality, but do not necessarily apply to the concentrated flow applications. 1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents, therefore each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. 1.5 This practice offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D6462-19 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D6462-19 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D6462-03(2008), ASTM D3740-23, ASTM D3740-19, ASTM D6461/D6461M-16a, ASTM D6461/D6461M-16, ASTM D4632/D4632M-15, ASTM D653-14, ASTM D4632/D4632M-08(2013)e1, ASTM D4632/D4632M-08(2013)e2, ASTM D3740-12a, ASTM D3740-12, ASTM D653-11, ASTM D3740-11, ASTM D3740-10, ASTM D653-09. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D6462-19 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6462 − 19
Standard Practice for
Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6462; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice covers common installation and mainte-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nance procedures for temporary silt fence applications. This
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
practice is based on AASHTO M288.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This practice is applicable to the use of silt fence as a
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
vertical permeable interceptor designed to remove suspended
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
soil from overland, non-concentrated water flow. The function
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
of a temporary silt fence is to trap and allow settlement of soil
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
particles from sediment laden water by intercepting and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
impounding water in an effort to slow the transport velocity
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and provide storage for sediment to be captured. The purpose
is to greatly limit the transport of eroded soil from the 2. Referenced Documents
construction site by water runoff.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.3 The practices presented herein are intended to ensure
Fluids
good workmanship and quality, but do not necessarily apply to
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
the concentrated flow applications.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
D4632/D4632M Test Method for Grab Breaking Load and
each system may not be exact equivalents, therefore each
Elongation of Geotextiles
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
D6461/D6461M Specifications for Silt Fence Materials
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
2.2 AASHTO Standard:
with the standard.
M288 StandardSpecificationforGeotextileSpecificationfor
1.5 This practice offers an organized collection of informa-
Highway Applications
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
course of action. This document cannot replace education or 3. Terminology
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, see
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
Terminology D653.
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
4. Significance and Use
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
4.1 Proper installation is critical to effective performance of
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
silt fence. This practice presents procedures for installing and
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
maintaining silt fence that have been shown to result in silt
document means only that the document has been approved
fenceinstallationsthateffectivelyredirectandimpoundsurface
through the ASTM consensus process.
runoff and, thereby, provide effective sediment control.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Sediment Control Technology. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 15, 2019. Published July 2019. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6462 – 03(2008), Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
which was withdrawn February 2017 and reinstated in June 2019. DOI: 10.1520/ Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
D6462-19. http://www.transportation.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6462 − 19
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is to slow the velocity of the water flow and provide for additional silt
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the collection without the risk of harmful flooding.
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
8.1.3 Maximum post spacing shall be based on the fabric
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
support (wire or polymeric mesh) or, if unsupported, on
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
elongation as measured in accordance with Test Method
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
D4632/D4632M. Supported silt fence shall have a maximum
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors
post spacing of 3.0 m (10 ft). Unsupported silt fence with
elongation ≥50 % shall also have a maximum post spacing of
5. Controlling Material Specifications
1.2 m (4 ft). Unsupported silt fence with elongation <50 %
5.1 Allmaterialsusedfortemporarysiltfenceshallconform
shall have a maximum post spacing of 2.0 m (6.5 ft).
with the specification requirements of ASTM Specification
8.1.4 When using shorter silt fences, wood, steel, or syn-
D6461/D6461M unless otherwise specified.
thetic support posts having a minimum length of 0.9 m (3 ft).
may be used; however, in most cases a minimum 1.22 m (4 ft)
6. Certification
TPost or hardwood stakes would be recommended.The height
6.1 The contractor shall provide to the engineer a certificate
of the silt fence fabric would be the determining factor. The
of compliance from the supplier(s) of the silt fence.
posts shall have sufficient strength to resist damage during
installation and to support the applied loads due to material
7. Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance
build up behind the silt fence.
7.1 Silt fence materials shall be subject to sampling and
NOTE 3—See D6461/D6461M for recommended wood post dimensions
testing to verify conformance with the controlling material
or steel post requirements.
specification.
8.1.5 Wire or polymer support fence shall be at least 750
8. Silt Fence Installation and Maintenance mm (2.5 ft) high and strong enough to support applied loads.
Polymer support fences shall meet the same ultraviolet degra-
8.1 Materials—Silt fence materials shall conform to the
dation requirements as the geotextile. Wire or polymeric mesh
requirements of Section 5. Unless otherwise specified, the silt
suppo
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