# Retaining walls and rails **URL:** \ **Category:** Exterior Inspections\ **Created:** [May 7, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988 "2012-05-07T23:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![charper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/charper/32/72_2.png) [@charper](https://forum.nachi.org/u/charper)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/1 "2012-05-07T23:23:58Z")
Will somebody please enlighten me. I know that I’ve seen somewhere recently that a railing is required if a retaining wall is a certain height. Am I crazy or what? I believe it is fairly recent. Thanks Charlie ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/2 "2012-05-07T23:35:50Z")
Charles the same rules apply to decks if they are more than 24 inches high, a fall of at least that requires a guard rail according to here. ---
**Author:** ![charper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/charper/32/72_2.png) [@charper](https://forum.nachi.org/u/charper)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/3 "2012-05-07T23:36:54Z")
Would this qualify as needing a railing on top. It is 36" high. ![IMG_2791.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/a/6/a6853678ae63b7b05363c754e5f7b2ef0655f00f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/4 "2012-05-07T23:40:17Z")
Same as deck/porch landing, 30". \* If a retaining wall has a drop-off height greater than 30-inches, \* _a handrail detail shall be included in the plans and shall comply with Building Inspection requirements (typically vertical pickets at 4-inch spacing) (International Building Code 1003.2.11.1 and International Residential Code)._ ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/5 "2012-05-07T23:41:00Z")
> [@kwood](#): > > Charles the same rules apply to decks if they are more than **24 inches high** , a fall of at least that requires a guard rail according to here. Where do you get the 24" rule from? ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/6 "2012-05-07T23:49:27Z")
Charles this reminds me of a movie called **CLIFFORD** with the actor Martin Short. In it the Architect wanted to purchase a house on a cliff and the lady wanted to have Children a very funny movie for the whole family. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/7 "2012-05-08T00:10:54Z")
National building code 2005 and the new 2009 Deck building code guidelines. I will also mention that some have it set at 30" and this is what is in the “How to perform Deck Inspections” for InterNachi. ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/8 "2012-05-08T00:50:42Z")
> [@kwood](#): > > National building code 2005 and the new 2009 Deck building code guidelines. 2006 Deck Building Guide: Based on the 2006 International Residential Code: GUARD REQUIREMENTS: All decks greater than 30" above grade are required to have a guard [R312.1] 2009 Deck Building Guide; Based on the 2009 International Residential Code: GUARD REQUIREMENTS: All decks greater than 30" above grade are required to have a guard [R312.1] ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/9 "2012-05-08T01:13:58Z")
Slightly different than the National Building Code in Canada unless of course the guide is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![rmayo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmayo/32/59218_2.png) [@rmayo](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmayo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/10 "2012-05-08T01:32:38Z")
Charles IRC code does not address guardrails for retaining walls. I would recommend guardrail if there was a sidewalk next to the retaining wall or a reasonable expectation that people will be walking next to the retaining wall with a height greater than 30 inches. In all other cases if there was a significant drop off I would mention the safety issue to my my client if they has kids. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/retaining-walls-and-rails/68988/11 "2012-05-08T02:01:16Z")
The new OBC does Randy. I only recommend 24 inches if the fall is onto cement or paved surface. Grass is OK still to apply the 30". Interesting though it does not require a minimal height so I am using the deck as am example only.