Guard Rails Atop Retaining Wallas 1

[GoldDredger]

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"?

 

[Ron]

Definitely replace with pickets. The guardrails do not meet the code requirement.s

 

[MrBachelor]

I disagree. IBC does not apply to all areas of a site, especially areas where pedestrian traffic is not expected / allowed. If the site is laid out in such a way so that pedestrians will not be tempted to walk in front of their cars on this 3' of landscape space then the code should not apply. From a mere safety standpoint, yes, install barriers such that children cannot slip through the space. Chain link works for this and is fairly inexpensive and can be more decorative if vinyl coated, or you can add pickets. Three rail tubular fences provide near zero protection from falling over the wall other than to identify the ledge more clearly. For simple code compliance, ask the AHJ directly.

Nate

 

[Ron]

MrBachelor....the "Authority Having Jurisdiction" decides what does or does not apply with respect to the code. To have a guardrail in plain sight, with reasonable anticipation that people will access it, and that a guardrail is appropriate in the location, then not design it to meet guardrail requirements is a breach of the standard of care.....read liability to the designer.

If a guardrail is to go there, then the guardrail must meet guardrail requirements.

 

[MrBachelor]

Not all guardrails are created equal, nor should they be. To play the Devil's advocate in this case, should we not design the guardrail to stop the errant vehicular that crosses the curb as well? What about larger trucks? Where does the "standard of care" turn into self control and responsibility for one's actions?
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

http://www.ceieng.com

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Could you retrofit the existing rails? What if you attached some of the unclimbable small-opening chainlink mesh used for overpasses "hooligan fencing" to the inside face of the rail? Or does it specifically specify ballisters?