Hi,
I know this question is a little misplaced, but hopefully someone can lend me some advice. My wife, kids and I are building a small fort for our kids. A very simple project became more complex and we’re in the process of making a nice 4 ft by 8 ft fort. The height is about 7 ft. It’ll be framed with 2×4’s and plywood will be the siding. Right now we have the whole thing resting on 4 concrete deck blocks (the 10 inch kind that accept 2×4’s) and 4 cinder blocks.
It seems sturdy and very unlikely to move. But I’m wondering if this seems safe enough to more experienced builders. I tried giving it a good shove at the top this morning and couldn’t get it to budge.
Any advice?
Rich
Replies
If the deck blocks are on top of well-compacted soil or fill (that's not apt to erode), and if the posts connected to them are very well braced laterally and diagonally, then there should be little need to worry.
I'd want some legs sunk in the ground to hold it steady. I assume there is some sort of upper deck. 3 or 4 kids up there horsing around on one side could tip it over.
7' High, 4' base?
I'd be concerned too with tipping potential with such a structure. Kids (you didn't say how old) might tend to climb the walls (there's a roof on this?) which could cause tipping. Lots of variables but with such a narrow base & nothing anchoring it, a worst-case event is not welcome.
If your soil type is suitable, and if you can figure out away by which the attachment points for ground anchors -
http://www.e-rigging.com/half-inch-x-thirty-inch-eye-anchor?gclid=CKOU9K3rts4CFQuMaQodjx4K1g
- could be made safe from contact, adding three or four to each long side would markedly improve stability.
Ideally these'd be used when setting out your base blocks then whatever floor substructure you devise would be secured to these along both edges. Then the structure itself would cover the attachment points. Adding them later, on the exterior, could create a hazard in an of itself where someone tripping on or falling onto could be hurt.