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Media Release |
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Put Decks and Balconies on Safety Watch after Floods and Storms
Friday, 28 October 2011 10:01
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The resident's foot disappeared through a tiled floor on the balcony of a unit. |
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Archicentre Queensland State Manager Ian Agnew said, following the vast flooding in many areas of Australia, which could weaken structures, and with summer holidays just around the corner, home owners should be checking their decks and balconies.
"It is important to take action now to allow time to fix any problems before the holiday period."
"December through to January, including Christmas gatherings and New Year's Eve parties, are times where deck or balcony collapses are likely to occur because of the sheer weight of the number of people who may go out onto the deck or balcony to party."
Mr Agnew said large birthday parties and wedding celebrations on decks and balconies at anytime can be highly dangerous.
"Balconies are usually used by a small family group of three to four people, however, when fifteen to twenty adults gather on a balcony the stress on the structure often reaches breaking point and the balcony collapses causing serious injury. Added to this weight factor is often the large BBQ, plus tables, chairs and heavy planter boxes filled with flowering plants to brighten the 'alfresco dining' area! Large stone tables have also become a trend for outdoor living along with steel and cast iron outdoor furniture, which increases the load factor on the deck or balcony."
"Balconies and decks, whether constructed of timber, steel or concrete, are exposed to the extremes of climate and need to be periodically checked for deterioration, because of their height and deterioration of materials, or in some cases illegal and poor building practices." Mr Agnew said if unsure of the condition of the balcony or deck, home owners should request a safety report by a qualified registered person such as an architect or engineer. "In the past few years with ongoing injuries and deaths of people involved in collapsing balconies and decks, each event has left a potential trail of expensive legal and medical expenses for home owners and people involved." "These cases have highlighted the need for home owners to have regular checks on the safety of their decks or balconies to avoid injury and potentially costly court cases." With the number of increasing enquiries from investors leasing properties with decks and balconies, home owners selling properties with decks and balconies, and home owners wanting the safety of their decks checked, Archicentre is urging property owners to arrange an inspection to cover deck and balcony safety. Archicentre expects more balcony collapses as spring progresses and people head outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather. Another factor contributing to an expected spike in balcony collapses is the trend for more people to incorporate balconies and decks into home designs as a way of adopting the 'alfresco' lifestyle. Apartments Archicentre is also being called in to inspect more and more apartment balconies, and the problem is often the same...poor workmanship or inappropriate material selection that has not been checked during construction. In some cases a lack of maintenance compounds the problem. One of the Archicentre architects recently inspected the balcony of a unit after the resident's foot disappeared through a tiled floor. Their findings were frightening...unsuitable materials and un-checked construction had resulted in extensive substrate rot and the inevitable failure. Even more worrying was the continual water leakage through the balcony structure on to an electrical light fitting below! The challenge to home owners, property owners and building managers, when responsible for balconies or decks, is to find out which ones present a safety hazard before a collapse occurs. 1. Check Documentation: 2. Check Timber: 3. Check Concrete: 4. Be Wary of Loads: As well as the trauma of a collapse and the injuries, there is the cost to repair damage and even the possibility of legal action as claims are taken out against the home owner or Owner's Corporation, so make sure your decks and balconies are checked. Media Enquiries:
Buyers should ask to see evidence of building approval before purchasing a property as decks can easily be built without the statutory checks and balances.
Have timber decks checked for rot and rust as timber or metal fixing failure can trigger a collapse.
Have concrete balconies checked for cracking or flaking as water may penetrate and corrode steel reinforcing, particularly in coastal areas.
Large, well-watered pot-plants can accelerate timber deterioration whilst a large group of guests gathered for a photo in one corner of a deck or balcony can bring a party to an abrupt end.
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre - Mobile: 0417 329 201