Balcony Safety

There have been a few recent tragedies involving the collapse of balconies. here is a great article from the Building Commission on reducing this risk through proper balcony maintenance.
Balcony maintenance

Inspection statistics have revealed numerous rotting balconies that could cause severe injury or death in the event of a collapse. The risk is greatest when they are heavily loaded at public functions, parties or similar occasions where people may congregate outside.

There are many things building owners should be aware of that can affect the structural adequacy of a balcony over time. These may include:

* Termites
* Wet rot
* Seaside and corrosive effects
* Loadings

As a safety measure, all home owners and commercial property owners with balconies should ensure that:

* It is constructed following the issue of a building permit
* It is inspected on a regular basis for any warning signs of potential collapse
* A maintenance program is introduced to extend its design life, and
* Where there is a doubt or a problem, an inspection by a Structural Engineer or other suitably qualified building practitioner, and remedial measures, as necessary, are arranged.

What you need to know about Maintenance of Balconies (564KB)

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