Hey all, We are doing a bunch of HDU signs for a good long time customer. One is a 10'x8' sandblasted sign. We are building a welded steel mounting structure out of 6" square tubing to support this monster. We are not installing this sign, but want to make sure its done right. In a conversation with the customers maint. guys, (who will install this sign) we recomended going at least 4 1/2 feet deep and cementing posts in ground. They proceded to say there is no way to get that deep here, the property is on a lake, and they have run into rock after 2 feet on every hole ever dug. Scratching our heads, the next day we called the city building code, and found the code says for an 80sq.foot sign, posts need to be 8 feet inground for direct burial. Not sure if this is for a single post (ours will have 2) What to do?? This is private property and is not on a public thurofare. (sign will be installed inside the property) How do we make sure code is followed? Should we care? We will be sending them a disclaimer (to sign)stating we are not responsible for damage caused by installation. 95% of all work we do is out the door, not many installs. And not much exp. with codes. How would you handle this one? Any suggestions on installing this one , or dealing with this situation would be great. Hopefully i will be posting a picture of the finished sign soon. Thanks Brad
This is where a concrete base is needed. You or they should have an engineer to sign off on a plan to pour a concrete base with approved threaded rods placed deep into the concrete. A metal plate is welded to the bottom of the legs of the sign and then the legs are bolted to the concrete. This should meet code without any problems.
If the install was your responsibility, then the need for having it engineered would be valid. Looks like it's theirs to deal with.
There's the bigger base possibility when the depth issue arises. It's all based on wind load calc's. An engineer's stamp releases municipalities from liability. This should be suggested.
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