We recently had a vehicle hit our cinder block wall (built between 1957 and 1975), and while there is some rebar in the wall blocks, many blocks and pieces of the blocks were sent flying projectile-style as much as 50 feet. What are the current California code requirements and do the current codes prevent this from happening? Do we have a case with the responsible party's insurance company to rebuild the entire wall and not just repair the damaged area?

You'd have to have a considerable pile of code books stacked in front of your wall to prevent a car from hitting it.

A wall is not, and cannot reasonably, be designed to withstand the impact of a car striking it at high speed.

Whether or not you have a case to rebuild the entire wall is a legal matter, but why would that be needed if the wall can be restored to its previous condition? I'm no lawyer, but I would guess that's all you're entitled to.

Thank you for your reply. I remember hearing back when the Malibu fires took place, that even though part of, or a portion of, a wall or fence was damaged, the entire wall or fence had to be replaced (at current code), due to the fact that you could not "band-aid" a portion of code and have any remainder of said wall or fence under the "old coding" that was connected to it. I am referring specifically to homes that were built there in the 1920s - 1950s, where many of the codes were grandfathered in since they were built and did not require to be changed/updated unless a redesign, repair or add-on was to take place to that particular "grandfathered" coded area. Yes, will check in to it with structural engineer and attorney.

I'm not sure about California, but around here there are provisions in most municipal codes that say existing structures can be repaired with "like materials and techniques" without bringing the structure up to the latest code.

quote:

You'd have to have a considerable pile of code books stacked in front of your wall to prevent a car from hitting it.

TOO funny, Rich! lol