Max driveway grade
Max driveway grade
(OP)
An architect friend of mine is grading a driveway for a house with a slope of 25% down from the street to the parking pad. I told him that this was too steep, especially during ice storms. However I am from a flat part of the world and may not be thinking about this correctly. I appreciate any input that you may have.





RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
Have y'all checked the local development codes (building, site, subdivision, and zoning)? Also check out your State insurance regulations regarding such (and how those relate to ADA requirements).
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tsgrue: site engineering, stormwater
management, landscape design, ecosystem
rehabilitation, mathematical simulation
http://hhwq.blogspot.com
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
Delivery trucks would have major problems.
I've seen buildings that were that far below the street designed with a garage at street level and stairs down thru the bulding. That's just one option.
The 25% is asking for problems.
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
Biggest issue to have the Architect think about is emergency vehicle access, which should be a much bigger concern than moving van access. In my area (big-time snow), emergency vehicles generally do not attempt to access any homes via a driveway grade over 10%. Depending on the length of the driveway and the weather conditions, this could significantly increase the response time of a paramedic or fire department, and this increase in time could be the difference between life or death.
Tell the Architect this and he may/should be more willing to spend the time/money necessary to lessen this grade.
If you have any involvement in this design, I would highly recommend that you limit your liability, or just have him find another engineer.
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
RE: Max driveway grade
I lived in a house with a 18% driveway and I agree with all the concerns and comments issued above. Lots of shoveling and de-icing in the winter, friends would not visit, and delivery trucks had to stop in the street.
Avoid such a plan under all circumstances.
RE: Max driveway grade
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering