Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
(OP)
I have a site with multiple retaining walls, ranging from 5-15 feet. Guard rails were constructed on top of the walls in many areas.
These guard rails are horizontal tubular steel, (rows of 3), similar to what you might see along a handicap ramp.
The retaining walls are primarily located at the front of parking spaces, imagine a 20-foot parking space, curb, then approximately 3-feet of landscape, then the top of wall. In other words, the walls are not located adjacent to a sidewalk or a path of travel.
The local municipality uses IBC, which I believe calls for guard rails for any drop exceeding 30-inches. However guard rails need to have the vertical pickets, so that an object no greater than 4-inches can pass through. (like a child)
In your opinion, do the as constructed tubular rails suffice, or should they be replaced with pickets (42 or 48 inches in height) spaced at 4"?
These guard rails are horizontal tubular steel, (rows of 3), similar to what you might see along a handicap ramp.
The retaining walls are primarily located at the front of parking spaces, imagine a 20-foot parking space, curb, then approximately 3-feet of landscape, then the top of wall. In other words, the walls are not located adjacent to a sidewalk or a path of travel.
The local municipality uses IBC, which I believe calls for guard rails for any drop exceeding 30-inches. However guard rails need to have the vertical pickets, so that an object no greater than 4-inches can pass through. (like a child)
In your opinion, do the as constructed tubular rails suffice, or should they be replaced with pickets (42 or 48 inches in height) spaced at 4"?





RE: Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
RE: Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
Nate
RE: Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
If a guardrail is to go there, then the guardrail must meet guardrail requirements.
RE: Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas
I completely agree that pedestrian safety is paramount in design and part of our duty as Engineers. Our duty is also to the client in the form of a reasonable, cost effective design. If money were no object, every design would be overbuilt and every hard surface padded, but that is not the world we live in.
Bottom line, meet the code if the code applies. But as we all know, approval from the AHJ will not relieve the Engineer of liability.
Nate the Great
www.ceieng.com
RE: Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas