allseason Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Today I inspected a house with the garage in the basement. There are masonry brick veneered retaining walls on each side of the driveway. The rest of the property is level. At one wall there is a railing at the top due to a sidewalk to the front entry. On the other side of the driveway at the top of the other wall is a turf area, no walkways. The wall is 7'6"high from the base of the garage entry to the top and 22" above grade at the top where the turf area meets it. Is a railing needed at the top of the this section of wall? Click to Enlarge 33.5 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 . . . Is a railing needed at the top of the this section of wall? Only during the first few milliseconds before someone falls over the edge. All the rest of the time, it would just sit there doing nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted January 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 . . . Is a railing needed at the top of the this section of wall? Only during the first few milliseconds before someone falls over the edge. All the rest of the time, it would just sit there doing nothing. required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Required? Code cite please. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted January 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I meant required to replace needed in my OP. I can't find a referance but it makes sense anyway so I am telling them to have rails installed. While I was at the property a young relative was walking along the top of the wall near the sidewalk and holding the railing at the higher portions. That was enough to make the call. It's like falling into the deep end of the pool, with no water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 The garage is going to fill up like a swimming pool in the first place. I know, I know ... different construction in all parts of the country. Just wondering about snow, ice, etc.. No way in hell is one getting out of that garage and entering (on ice) will be "quick". ! I know there is 'some' ice/snow in NJ. I lived there once or twice in my prior lifetimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted January 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Trough drain at the base of the driveway into a sump pit in the garage, another set of issues. Snow, ice and inclines are a way of life. Sub-terranean garages have been around for a long time. It's the way to fit a garage when you can't meet property line setbacks. I wouldn't do it, doesn't mean someone else can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emalernee Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 JK is in fine form tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 That little strip of shrubs is supposed to keep people away from that side. Didn't your mom ever tell you to stay outa the flower beds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The IRC requires a guard at "open-sided walking surfaces". In my judgment, the right side of your photo doesn't meet that criteria. A guard would certainly make it safer (...but you already knew that). What's the height of the drop-off on the left side where the guard ends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I agree; it's not a walking area, it doesn't need a guard. The other area @ the left, imho, does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allseason Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The way I see it is that I tell them to install a guardrail on the wall. If they don't and someone gets hurt then they were forewarned. Even though there is no walkway on the right side it is an access to the rear yard as there is a fence and gate on that side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrid Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The way I see it is that I tell them to install a guardrail on the wall. If they don't and someone gets hurt then they were forewarned. Even though there is no walkway on the right side it is an access to the rear yard as there is a fence and gate on that side. [:-yawn] and what did the forewarning accomplish? It's not needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Not responsible for advice given but not followed. Does the term CYAWP sound familiar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrmnk Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 I recommend them in those situations (based on my personal professional opinion and experiences), and advise why I feel it's a potential safety hazard. Lots of things that can hurt people used to not be in codes, but are now. Even if it's not required by code doesn't mean it can't seriously hurt you. It's obviously up to them whether it is a concern to them or not to have a rail installed, but make the case for why I feel it should be. A lot of times people don't even think about the potential hazard until something bad happens. I also recommend flip up cover grates on basement egress window wells on the exterior, even though they aren't required by AHJs here. I simply put it in perspective of kids running around outside playing, and falling into it (or in this case off of it). That is, if they get out from in front of the TV to go outside. Have been in the fire service for many years and have pulled a few seriously injured people out of situations where simple guards could have prevented the falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.