29/10/2009

Brisbane Deck Collapse Timely Warning

The collapse of a timber deck at Morayfield, north of Brisbane yesterday, where seven people were injured and taken to hospital, is a timely warning for people organising end of year events or parties at their home, Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects said today.

About 15 people were on the timber deck, which was about three metres off the ground, when it gave way.

Archicentre's pre-purchase home inspection statistics show that approximately 6% of Australian homes have a timber balcony or deck and that about 2% of these are potentially fatal.

Mr Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said these figures indicate around 8,000 balconies in Australia could be life threatening and there is a need for people to inspect their decks and balconies for rotting timbers and rusty corroding steel fittings which could lead to life threatening balcony collapses.

"In the last few years, balcony collapses in several states have resulted in a number of injuries and deaths with coastal properties in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings."

Archicentre says anyone intending to hold a Christmas or New Year's function which will see a crowd of people occupying their balcony or deck, should check that it is safe and not in danger of collapse.

"Failing to check the balcony or control the number of people on it could create serious legal or insurance problems for owners.

"The dinner or party, where people gather on the balcony or for a drink or a barbeque are high risk activities."

Mr Caulfield said we urge everyone with a balcony or raised deck, whether it's timber, concrete or features steel supports, to check it out carefully for safety, including an inspection for rotting timbers, shaky hand rails and balustrades, rusting bolts and brackets, rust stains and cracking in concrete balconies.

"If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure to seek professional advice.

"Holidays are also the time when many home owners decide to build a balcony themselves and we are urging them to do it properly and ensure that they obtain council building approval."

Archicentre has information available from the website on How to look out for a Balcony Collapse at http://www.archicentre.com.au/Balconytips.pdf