Geotech review overkill?

[Yikes]

My structural engineer's plans for a generic site light post footing includes this note:

I've never had geotech review a generic solid footing for a lamppost for "Waterproofing" or "Drainage system". Here's the detail:



Under what scenario might waterproofing or drainage be an issue for a lamppost footing? Am I missing something, or is this just CYA by my structural engineer?

 

[ICE]

The engineer must have confused your project with another. Perhaps he hit a wrong button. Will you have any of that stuff? If you do, I am curious about the drainage system.

 

[Msradell]

How big is that Ftng? What is the rebar specified to be and what kind of soil do you have where you will be installing this? All of those make a difference although I've never seen a requirement that strict for a lamp base

 

[tmurray]

Probably a general note they forgot to delete.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Probably a general note they forgot to delete.

Either that or they were sued for a basement that leaked sometime in the past.

 

[steveray]

They want to get paid to design it but not be responsible for the implementation...Sounds about right....

 

[north star]

& * &

Yikes, there are a lot of variables and maybe's here......Maybe it's a CYA Factor, ...maybe
the soils there are unstable, ...maybe a high acidic condition, ...maybe it's a
"revenue generator", ...maybe it is indeed a "hold over" \ generic statement included
on all their designs, ...maybe that GeoTech has an OCD level that's off the charts, and
on and on and on and on.

& * &

 

[Yikes]

How big is that Ftng? What is the rebar specified to be and what kind of soil do you have where you will be installing this? All of those make a difference although I've never seen a requirement that strict for a lamp base

2' diameter and 3.5' below grade.

 

[Msradell]

2' diameter and 3.5' below grade.

That's a pretty standard size, some of the ones around here even a little deeper. I thoroughly agree with a couple of the previous comments, it would probably just a cut-and-paste error!

 

[ICE]

2' diameter and 3.5' below grade.

Too shallow unless it’s a ten foot pole.

 

[Yikes]

Too shallow unless it’s a ten foot pole.

Sorry for the delayed response, I was on vacation. The pole is about 12’ high.