Perhaps behind the wall is a part of your patio, a walkway, or a seating area in a restaurant. If that's the case, you'll want to put up a fence to keep people or pets from falling. In fact, International Building Code 1015, 2 requires the placement of guards (a fence) on any retaining wall over 30 inches high. For walls that are not engineered, the edge of the base of the fence must be placed at least 3 feet from the back of the retaining wall.
By base edge, we mean the edge of the hole and the edge of the concrete placed around the post. The International Building Code requires a minimum compensation of 3 feet. This ensures that there is enough space to distribute the load from the fence, so that it does not negatively affect the retaining wall. If you have to apply for a permit to build the fence, you must show that the fence is at least 3 feet away from the edge of the retaining wall or that the wall is designed to be a fence.
When safety is in question, you will be asked to build a fence. If behind the retaining wall is a walkway, seating area, or other part of the yard, it's a good idea to place a fence on top. This prevents people or animals from falling to the other side or falling to the other side. Some international building codes state that a fence is needed on any retaining wall over 30 m high. Fences, walls and gates do not require approval of building regulations.
Adding a retaining wall against your fence has practical benefits and can create a beautiful aesthetic in your landscape. If you use your fence and retaining wall as a barrier to property, review your plans with your neighbors. Usually, a fence has a minimum separation from the property boundary, unless both homeowners agree to place it on the property boundary. These units are advertised for segmental block retaining walls, but can be used behind any type of retaining wall. It's a good idea to consult an engineer to ensure that your fence will be built with high integrity and longevity in each case.
No amount of adhesive between the blocks can explain the fact that a retaining wall block of 75 pounds or less cannot withstand a side load of 500 pounds. If there is soil that rests against this fence, it can benefit the fence to protect your retaining wall. In this post, we'll take a closer look at what retaining walls are and the different options available for fencing your property. All concrete retaining walls must have a base of the appropriate size to support all loads on the wall, including a fence. Your city will want to inspect the construction of the fence or may have restrictions on building inside an easement.
Unless specifically designed by an engineer, installing a fence directly over a retaining wall is not recommended. The Sleeve-It* system is a pre-designed product developed to withstand the entire load of a fence and not affect the retaining wall. The method you choose may depend on the strength of your retaining wall, the material you used to build it, and the height of the fence.
