High Rise Balcony Safety? Top Answer Update

Many properties such as houses, apartments, restaurants, theaters, concert halls and more have balconies. If they are not properly cared for, the balcony can collapse. Victims can suffer serious injuries. In addition, catastrophic injury or death can also occur to those under the balcony. Traumatic brain and other head injuries, spinal injuries, paralysis and broken bones are just a few of the injuries that result when a dangerous balcony collapses.

What are the causes of balcony collapses?

Property owners are obliged to build and maintain a balcony professionally. Many of the reasons for balcony collapses are the owner’s failure to correct a known defect in the balcony. Common causes of these scary accidents include:

Failure to repair or replace worn support beams

Let too many people out on the balcony

Non-compliance with building code regulations when erecting the balcony

when constructing the balcony, failure to replace joints, screws, bolts and other components of the balcony if necessary

Failure to replace rotten or otherwise damaged wood

Failure to repair or replace loose or damaged railings

Failure to regularly inspect the balcony for defects and repair issues

Who might be liable for compensation in a balcony collapse accident?

In a balcony collapse accident, there can be multiple potentially liable parties. An experienced slip and fall accident attorney can help you determine who is responsible for compensating for your injuries. Depending on why the balcony collapsed, these parties could be to blame:

builder . If the builder uses inferior products, faulty construction methods, or fails to comply with building codes and industry standards, they can be held liable if the balcony collapses.

. If the builder uses inferior products, faulty construction methods, or fails to comply with building codes and industry standards, they can be held liable if the balcony collapses. Manufacturer . If the cause of the balcony collapse is related to the manufacture of the materials used to construct or repair the balcony, the manufacturer could be held liable under a product liability lawsuit.

. If the cause of the balcony collapse is related to the manufacture of the materials used to construct or repair the balcony, the manufacturer could be held liable under a product liability lawsuit. property owner or manager. Some property owners hire a manager to inspect the property – including the balcony – and make any necessary repairs. If a balcony is left derelict, the manager and the owner may be negligent depending on the agreement between them and the circumstances that led to the balcony collapsing.

If you’ve sustained injuries in a balcony collapse accident, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you determine the cause of the collapse and who is responsible. We will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve. Learn more about how we can help you by calling our office to schedule a free consultation today.

Often a buyer is confused as to which floor is best for their home. Most Indian cities are now growing vertically as urban populations are increasing and space to accommodate the growing numbers remains limited. Therefore, real estate developers in India are developing high-rise projects, both in luxury and affordable categories, in order to reach a large number of homebuyers with different income brackets.

One of the tallest residential towers in the world “World One”. (TheWorldTowers.com)

So if you are a homebuyer and want to know which floor to choose and buy in a high rise residential project or the best floor to live in, read on.

High or low, each floor has its own pros and cons. Before making a decision, weigh all the factors involved and decide what better suits your lifestyle.

PropGuide lists some factors to help you when buying a home:

View: Obviously, higher floors offer better views, especially if the tower is near a scenic spot. If this is important to you, opt for higher floors.

Top floor view of Keerthi Gardenia, Bengaluru. (Wikimedia)

Rental Yields: Property surveys have proven that lower floors yield better rental returns as Indians in general have an affinity for staying closer to the ground. If you are buying a property for investment purposes, the best floor in a high-rise building for you is the ground floor. People, particularly in Mumbai and Bengaluru, prefer upper floors, while buyers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and Chennai prefer ground floors. Climatic differences could be given as a reason for the different selection. More information on real estate in Mumbai and Bengaluru can be found here and here.

Privacy: However, in metropolitan areas, living on the lower floors may not offer much privacy. If you love solitude and want to avoid any kind of unwanted intrusion, a higher floor might be better for you.

Noise: Many homebuyers prefer higher floors to minimize street noise or avoid the noise of other residents walking through the common passageway. However, if the ground floor apartment is not in the common hallway and also far from elevators, stairwell or clubhouse, then the noise would not be a problem for you at all.

Energy Consumption: Electricity consumption increases with altitude. This is because you need to keep your air conditioning units (ACs) running longer in the summer. Also pulling water with motor pumps could be another high energy consuming task.

Safety: Ground floors pose a comparatively increased risk of crime as it is easier for anti-social elements to break into apartments on the lower or lower floors. Overall, it also depends on the construction of your high-rise building and the security measures taken by the administration of your housing association.

Also Read: Should You Buy High-Rise Buildings Overlooking Slums?

Access: For most of us, waiting for the elevator can be time-consuming. Choose whether you want to live on the ground floor or in the basement, so that you can easily take the stairs.

Consideration of the family: When children and elderly parents are around, it is always good if your home is on a lower floor. In addition to the safety aspect, it also contributes to the comfort factor. Also, if you or anyone in your family has mobility issues or are afraid of heights, consider living closer to the ground.

Light and ventilation: Apartments on the ground floor have comparatively little light and ventilation compared to those on the upper floor. Not only that, the upper floors are also not subject to mosquito intrusion.

Water Infiltration: It is observed that in general the attic and ground floor suffer from water infiltration and drainage problems. It also depends on the drainage and sanitation of the condominium.

We hope these tips will help you make the right choice.

Lightweight balcony pots are the key to a beautiful and safe balcony. After all, balconies are often credited with supporting much more weight than they are designed for. You may have heard the horror stories of balconies collapsing under the weight of too many people or things.

For the most part, small balconies were never meant to hold 10 people or 15 heavy planters full of large plants or small trees. Too much heavy stuff on your balcony will of course reduce the amount of extra weight the structure can support. Hence the popularity of light pots for balconies.

The great thing about TerraCast planters is that they are lightweight compared to other similar sized planters. Although our planters can be made to mimic the look of stone and other solid, heavy materials, they weigh a fraction of stone or concrete planters. Shop our wide range of lightweight pots and planters.

The true weight of planters

Your planters may not seem so heavy if you originally put them on your balcony. However, remember that a planter will gain weight over time. Just after adding soil, some water and a plant, a planter will already weigh a lot more than before.

Can you pick up the planter when it’s full? This is a good question for determining how heavy a planter really is. As the plant grows and more water is added to the soil, the planter will continue to gain weight.

How much weight can your balcony really support?

Each balcony can safely hold different weights depending on how it was designed, when it was built and what materials were used. You should never base your decision solely on information you read on the internet. Instead, it’s important to consult a structural engineer to ensure you don’t overload your balcony. Overcrowding a balcony can create a safety hazard that puts you or others at risk. That being said, balconies are generally rated at 50-100 pounds per square foot. However, there is a chance that your balcony was structurally built as a patio, which can change its load-bearing capacity.

Other factors to consider when determining how much weight your balcony can support:

Snow – if it’s snowing in your area, remember that the weight of the snow piled up on the balcony adds weight.

When it comes to decks, the length of the joists as well as the material from which the joists are made are important considerations. Southern yellow pine logs, for example, retain a higher bearing capacity than ponderosa pine, which retains a higher bearing capacity than cedar. Wooden balconies are also constructed from different types of wood, so it is important to know what your balcony is made of in order to determine its load-bearing capacity.

It also matters how far apart the joists are positioned as this changes the deflection value of the joists.

how old is your balcony A balcony suffering from water damage, dry rot or other problems will remain less strong.

Self-watering planters for balconies – what to look out for

Lightweight balcony pots are the first step in ensuring safety and stability, but how you water your plants can also help. Water is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to breaking down materials commonly used to make balconies such as: e.g. wood. Self-watering planters are great for many reasons, they reduce the risk of root rot, prevent root drowning and can even help save your plants in case you forget to water them. However, when it comes to balconies, certain types of self-watering planters can cause more problems. For example, if you simply cut a hole in the bottom of your planter and allow the water to seep out, you could be water damaging your balcony and reducing its strength over time.

The solution? Make sure you invest in containers that planters can sit in, which will collect excess water and prevent it from spilling all over your balcony day after day. This allows you to drain the collected water elsewhere outside of your balcony. This will prevent water from accumulating, which could damage your balcony over time.

We offer a unique self watering planter that doesn’t just pour water out the side. Instead, we created an attachable reservoir or chamber that sits under the planter and collects excess water. When the plant is thirsty, it can stretch the tops of its roots into the chamber to draw water when needed. Our customers have told us that their 40-60 inch self-watering planters can survive 3-4 weeks before the reservoir needs additional water. So it can not only help save your balcony but also your plants in case you forget to water them. This is a win-win situation!

Find out more about our self-watering planters

According to Epidemiology of Balcony Fall-Related Injuries, United States, 1990-2006 (American Journal of Emergency Medicine, February 29, 2011), there were 86,500 falls (including 8 fatalities) during the period studied. This estimate was based on injuries requiring emergency medical treatment, and 5,600 cases are reported to have involved structural failures. The available information did not allow the study authors to assess whether the structural failures were due to overloading or to defective floors or railings.

To distinguish between balconies and decks, the International Building Code of 2006 defines an exterior balcony as “an exterior deck projecting from and supported by a structure without additional supports” and defines an exterior deck as “an exterior deck system resting on at least two opposite sides is supported by an adjacent structure and/or posts, piers or other independent supports.” It is likely that the paper’s authors were unaware of the difference and included falls from decks in some of their statistics. Still, the numbers are worrying.

Recent reports in the local press may have given the impression that fatal accidents mainly involve wooden balconies, but reports from the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and Brazil describe cases involving concrete balconies. Over the past decade, there have been several serious structural balcony accidents in New York City (NYC), some involving balconies of relatively recent construction. Balcony accidents can refer to events where occupants fall or pedestrians are struck by falling debris. Three types of balcony failure can be distinguished – cantilever slab failure, local deterioration of the cantilever surface and railing failure. This article covers damage to balconies that have been investigated as a result of accidents or described in reports prepared under NYC’s required periodic inspection of facades.

Exterior balconies in NYC apartment buildings

In NYC before World War II, balconies were constructed almost exclusively as components of exterior fire escapes. A significant number still exist, but their condition will not be discussed here, as they are rarely present on buildings higher than six stories. It’s worth noting that some wrought iron fire escapes from the 1910s still look good.

In the early decades of the last century it was not uncommon to adorn facades with decorative terracotta balconies (i.e. balconies). They were only intended to convey the optical illusion of a balcony and, due to their width, could not be used by tenants. In many cases the terracotta balusters on these balconies had cracked or come loose and had to be repaired or removed. A serious accident occurred in 2008 when a significant part of one such balcony net collapsed (Figure 1) as corrosion of the embedded steel cantilevers caused cracks in the terracotta floor. This building’s facade had recently been subjected to regular inspection, but the required repairs consisted only of patching cracks in the terracotta. Similar terracotta problems prompted some builders to remove the balconies, to the desperation of preservationists.

In the early 1950s, balconies were built as a special convenience for high-end homes, but soon after they were incorporated into the design of mid-range developments. At the time, the typical structure of the NYC high-rise apartment building was the “concrete slab,” and consequently the typical balcony since then has been a concrete cantilever, usually no wider than 4 or 5 feet. The 1960s were marked by massive efforts to replace slums with new housing. The major projects were made possible by federal funds. The balcony became a common feature of high-rise residential buildings, primarily due to targeted financial incentives in favor of apartments with balconies. Compared to the entire NYC building stock, the high-rise buildings constructed in the last 50 years can be categorized as newer structures, constructed using engineered materials and construction principles not significantly different from those used today.

The New York City Buildings Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC) dispatches inspectors when notified of major facade incidents. The inspectors’ initial reports are recorded in a database. The main sources of notifications for these major incidents are the city’s emergency services (e.g. fire department or police). As a rule, these are reports of accidents that have just happened or appear to be imminent. The data includes almost all major incidents, but also many incidents where damage to facades might not have resulted in injury. The database contains only a subset of the facade damage total, as a good number of minor facade damage do not reach the EOC. An analysis can therefore only allow conclusions to be drawn about the type and course of the facade deterioration.

The data in Table 1 is an extract from the facade events recorded from 2007 to 2017. Data has been filtered to exclude events not relevant to this article (walls, ornaments, accessories).

Incidents involving buildings less than 6 floors were not counted, so all but two of the balconies were concrete. Regular facade inspections are only required for buildings with more than 6 floors, so a significant number of the incidents counted in the table occurred in buildings that were not subject to these regular facade inspections.

There are too many variables involved to conduct an accurate, thorough statistical analysis, but a simple examination of the numbers shows that balconies represent the majority of incidents. No wonder – a defective facade component entails a higher risk of falling if it rests on a protruding element. (In addition to gravity, a lateral force is required to displace a section that has support at the bottom.)

In the author’s view, it is significant that the number of balcony accidents has exceeded parapet accidents for buildings constructed over the past 50 years, when balconies became a common building feature. There are some key similarities – both parapets and balconies are exterior, unheated structures exposed to the elements (temperature changes, rain and wind). They differ in material (concrete vs. brick) and some exposure conditions – balconies are exposed to standing water and parapets are exposed to higher wind pressure. The importance of the comparison lies in the fact that parapets have historically been a major cause of accidents.

Structural performance of the cantilever structure

Special live loads for balconies and railings were introduced in the 1968 NYC Building Code. While the live load in ASCE 7 of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, varies by edition, the NYC regulations apply a constant 150% of the load of the adjacent occupied area specified. It is interesting to note that while there is some evidence that an apartment in NYC with a balcony commands a higher price, the actual use of the balconies by the owner is very low. As a result, there is limited information on the performance of balconies under payload. There may have been a few instances of excessive deflection; but according to the author’s observations over the past fifteen years there has been no report of a concrete slab balcony collapsing due to payload.

A balcony is a non-redundant structure; Design or construction flaws cannot hide as the cantilever does not have the advantage offered by multiple load paths nor the additional capacity made possible by voltage redistribution. Some reports of balcony failures published elsewhere mentioned congestion. However, in the cases studied, the author found that the failure of the concrete structure was mainly due to improper placement of reinforcement (Figure 2).

Improper rebar placement can be the result of careless design execution or insufficient detailing. Architectural details require the top of the balcony slab to be slightly lower than the interior floor to prevent rainwater or snow from entering the apartments. The design and details must recognize the drop and also the need for a larger concrete cover dictated by the weather conditions. Missing or installed reinforcement can cause the balcony to collapse under its own weight. We have seen this occur immediately after removing banks (Figure 2). In the case of laid reinforcement bars, it is conceivable that the tensile strength of the unreinforced concrete is sufficient to absorb the dead weight stresses, but failure can occur later under human load. Insufficient reinforcement can also lead to excessive balcony deflections. Such deflection or creep is likely to alter the intended path of stormwater collection or possibly force deformation of the railing installation.

local deterioration

The NYC Periodic Facade Inspection Act has included some balcony condition ratings since it was promulgated in 1980. The reports, produced in conjunction with regular inspections, provide useful information on how concrete balconies are deteriorating. The failure phenomena described are typical for weathered concrete (concrete spalling, cracking, rusting and related consequences). The condition will most likely worsen if both faces are exposed to the weather. Because they can allow accumulation or stagnation of rainwater, balconies are more prone to deteriorate compared to the vertical surfaces of the facade of the same building. Architectural paneling and even carpets can affect rot rate. The deterioration is more pronounced at the outer edges of the balcony (Figure 3).

Probably the most common surface defect is chipping at the outside corner due to corrosion of the baluster (Figure 4). Galvanic corrosion can occur even at the base of aluminum studs when in contact with steel rebar. Patching cracked concrete can last five to 10 years, but eventually the corroded rebar and damaged concrete will need to be replaced (Figure 5). While the technical principles of concrete repair/replacement are simple, the difficulty of working from suspended scaffolding makes it sometimes very expensive to execute. Most of the balconies from the 1960s have now been repaired or reconstructed at the edges.

failure of railings

In 2010, a young man fell from a 24th floor balcony. The department’s investigation determined that the fall occurred through the opening created by the failure of the metal plate beneath the handrail. The original balcony railing installation was found to meet the code’s strength requirements, but was defective in that it did not prevent upward movement of the slab. As a result of the lack of restraint, a slight upward pull on the panel (under minor loads not necessarily specified in the code) could bend the panel into a potentially dangerous position that could become permanent. Inspectors observed several permanently deformed panels on other floors (Figure 6).

Collapse was possible only due to a design flaw – lack of vertical restraint at the ends of the panels. Calculations showed that had the restraint been in place, the collapse would not have occurred.

After the accident, a citywide search identified six other high-rise balcony residential buildings that shared the same inadequate panel joint details. These balconies were cleared pending the repairs. The New York City Building Code of 2014 includes an additional requirement for the design of components; “a concentrated upward load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) applied at the most critical point”. (New York City Building Code 2014, Section 1607.7.1.2). A separate analysis of several recurring facade test reports showed that the testers were primarily concerned with the danger to pedestrians below and less with the stability of the railings. The department alerted the industry to the issue and ordered additional inspections, specifically focused on the condition of balcony railings, recesses and patios. Common defects observed included: 1) rusted slats, 2) displaced or loosened railings, 3) guardrail assemblies that slide easily under a slight force, 4) open cracks around the pitch pockets of railing posts, 5) deterioration of end railing attachments to walls , and 6) loose connections. The safety of railings is greatly affected by the deterioration or deterioration of the concrete at the edge of the balcony, as discussed above.

According to the data in Table 1, railing, balcony and glass breakages appear to be more common in new construction. This could be due to the impact of newer trends in architectural design, as well as the time lag it takes for building codes to adapt and regulate to newer systems. According to the Expert Panel on Glass Panels in Balcony Guard Report – 2012 (Ontario Department of Housing), the top causes of failure include defects in railing installation, impact-related incidents and nickel sulfide contamination in the glass.

A detailed technical discussion of glass in balcony railings is beyond the scope of this article, but the few instances of glass failure in balcony railings are consistent with the expert panel’s findings.

In 2010, a microburst of moderate intensity winds collapsed a 10 x 30 foot glass enclosure from full height onto a 52nd floor balcony (Figure 7). When it fell, the glass destroyed the skylight roof of a public space on the ground floor. The collapse occurred when the interior was depressurized by opening a window in the apartment. In another instance, a wind-blown wicker chair left on a 45th-floor penthouse terrace smashed into a glass pane, injuring five pedestrians underneath. A 42-story building on Fifth Avenue repeatedly had its balcony railing broken. The repair solution required a complete glass replacement and framing system change. To improve the robustness of glass panels, the 2015 version of the International Building Code eliminates toughened glass by stating: “Glass used in a handrail, railing, or guard section must be laminated glass, which consists of fully tempered or heat-strengthened glass.” .”

Conclusion

In 2014, a tenant sat on the railing of a 16-story balcony. A bolt connecting the rail to the wall broke off and the tenant fell. Of course, this was not normal or expected use of the railing. According to data in Epidemiology of Balcony Fall-Related Injuries, only 1 in 15 falls is due to structural or material failure. One should not take much confidence from such a relationship, since a fall from a high-rise balcony will be a fatal fall. A balcony allows residents to be close to the front edge of the building. People’s behavior does not always conform to technical standards. Engineers and architects should exercise extreme caution when designing and building balconies and associated railings and parapets. ▪

A self-supporting balcony system is the safest balcony system

Self-supporting balcony systems or screw balconies are the safest balcony systems compared to cantilever wooden balconies. The reason self-supporting balcony systems are safer is illustrated by the tragedy of cantilever balconies in Berkeley, California. The tragedy shows how hidden cantilevered timber beams conceal dangerous structural decay conditions, while self-supporting balcony systems have visible building connections to maintain life security.

The recent timber balcony system tragedy in Berkeley, California raises awareness of the potential catastrophic failure of cantilevered timber balconies. Engineers who inspected the site said there was clear evidence that the wooden beams supporting the deck had rotted from exposure to water.

In 2015, little three-year-old Freddie Coulton from East Sussex, UK, slipped between the balustrades of a balcony railing and fell ten feet. The poor boy ended up on the carpeting in historic Lewes Town Hall and luckily (and miraculously!) walked away with little more than a few bruises.

It doesn’t always end so happily. Approximately 140 fall deaths in children under the age of 15 occur annually in the United States. Another 3 million require emergency treatment for fall-related injuries. Fortunately, modern building codes dictate that railings must be built with child safety in mind. There are also railing options that eliminate the risk of being pinched between balusters. But balustrades aren’t the only consideration when it comes to kids and railings. There are also environmental and even lighting factors to consider when choosing a child-safe balcony railing.

Prevent falls with modern building codes

Due to the risk of railings coming loose or children slipping or getting stuck between the balustrades, railing systems manufactured and installed today must comply with regulations. In particular, they must comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) or the International Building Code (IBC), depending on the exact criteria of the house. This means that every product you buy today meets quality requirements and is safe for children. Responsibility for proper installation – by following the manufacturer’s instructions and using appropriate hardware – lies with whoever installs the product, be it a contractor or yourself.

Modern building codes require that all clearances of deck and balcony components, such as balustrades and posts, be small enough to prevent even a very small child from getting their head between the balustrades. It also requires railings to have a minimum level of strength and height to reduce the risk of falling.

Correct baluster spacing for a child-safe balcony railing

If spacing between balustrades is still an issue, there are railing system options that simply have no balustrades. All-glass railings use a sheet of glass attached to posts with either very little or no clearance between the glass and the post, depending on the design. This creates less space for children to put arms, legs or objects through.

Glass railings are made of tempered glass, which is much stronger than regular glass and can be hit with a blunt object without breaking. One thing to keep in mind about glass is that while these railings are easy to clean, they’re also pretty easy to smudge and get dirty. This is especially true if you have young children. The good news is that cleaning glass railings is usually as simple as wiping it down with a soap and water or vinegar solution. When using the vinegar solution, be careful not to get the vinegar on exposed aluminum, cast iron, or waxed surfaces. The metals can react chemically and vinegar can strip the wax. Both home improvement and home improvement stores carry outdoor glass cleaners that come in a bottle that’s meant to attach to your hose. If you decide to use one of these products, all you have to do is twist on your hose and spray down the jar.

lighting and security

Let’s not forget the lighting! Adequate lighting is key to making your home and balcony safe. For many people, lighting is an afterthought, but poor lighting contributes to over 18,000 U.S. household deaths each year.

The lighting of stairs, balconies and decks must also comply with the regulations. As a homeowner, you can even be held liable if guests are harmed by poor lighting on your property. Stairs and decks with slope access (i.e. stairways or other areas that are not level) must both be illuminated.

Residential lighting regulations also require that at least 75% of all incandescent and permanent lighting fixtures in your home be highly efficient. Examples of high efficiency lighting are compact fluorescent lamps (CLF) and LED lighting. Some railing manufacturers produce highly efficient LED lighting options for your railing system, such as LED railing post lights or baluster lights that meet energy efficiency and lighting regulations.

Other railing systems

As previously mentioned, modern railing systems manufactured and installed in the United States must follow the IRC or IBC in order to be safe for you and your family. However, horizontal types of railing can be dangerous for children due to the “ladder effect”. To prevent children from climbing and falling over railings, avoid horizontal cable railings.

Vertical cable railings use learned stainless steel wires instead of traditional balustrades. The cables are made of unpainted, polished stainless steel, so your child cannot be exposed to toxins in the paint. They are very simple and easy to clean, requiring minimal time and effort. This type of railing is highly recommended for children.

Steel can also be a good choice for children, depending on the quality of the finish. Paint should be non-toxic and will need touch-ups and monitoring for chipping, but high quality finishes such as powder coatings are non-toxic, inert and extremely unlikely to chip or rust.

Aluminum is also strong, non-toxic and will not rust. Like steel, it can be purchased with a powder paint finish which is very durable and is inert and non-toxic.

Vinyl is also a good choice as it can be easily wiped clean if children get dirty. One downside is that vinyl is prone to mold, which can be bad for your health. This is easy to clean but requires regular inspection.

Wood is beautiful to look at, but it can require a lot of maintenance. You should inspect your wood railings regularly to make sure there is no rot, insect damage, chipping or paint chipping. Neglecting wooden railings can lead to cracking or rot, which can make railings dangerously weak. Unpainted wood railings can also be difficult to clean, while painted railings can pose toxic hazards from the paint.

Decks and balconies pose several hazards – the most serious being that your child could slip through the railing and fall or become wedged in the railing and choke. Luckily, with supervision and a few simple steps, you should be able to prevent these accidents from happening.

If the railings on your patio or balcony create gaps wider than 4 inches, you’ll need to make some modifications to prevent your child from crushing through them. One option is to cover the railings with plastic garden fencing, shade cloth, clear plastic sheeting, or rigid Plexiglas sheets.

If the railing has a series of ladder-like horizontal bars – which your child could use to climb up and over the top – make sure you use these barriers and attach them to the inside of the railing.

Plexiglas is the most attractive option, but it’s expensive (about $2 to $4 per square foot at hardware stores) and a bit difficult to work with. You will need some serious carpentry skills or the help of a professional to cut it to the right measurements.

A roll of clear “balcony sign” or “railing protection,” available from sites like Safe Beginnings, is less expensive (about $1 per square foot) and much easier to cut and install, but it’s only good for indoor applications.

Cover nets are more suitable for outdoor use. You can set up shade or garden fences without much effort or expense. A black mesh canopy lets in a surprising amount of light and doesn’t detract much from your view.

You can attach any of these materials to the railing with screws or plastic cable ties. Avoid using staples. If they come loose, they pose a serious choking hazard.

As an alternative to covering your patio or balcony, you can add additional vertical battens or spindles to fill in the gaps in the railing. This is a particularly attractive alternative if your railing is made of wood.

When you childproof your railings, don’t forget to childproof outdoor stairs as well. If you have stairs leading down from your balcony or patio, build or buy a gate to match your existing railing. Make sure the gate’s locking mechanism is childproof or high enough that it is out of reach.

Try to make it a habit to keep patio furniture off the railing. You don’t want to give your child a chance to climb up and go over the edge.

You should also consider putting latches on any doors or windows that lead to your balcony or patio. These latches should be placed out of your child’s reach.

When you’re in a hotel or visiting someone’s house, you don’t have the ability to close gaps between spindles or put deadbolts on doors. If there is a child-sized space between the spindles, it is best to keep your child completely off the balcony or patio, even if supervised. Curious kids can be extremely fast, and it only takes a kid a second to sneak away.

It seems like kids can find a way to make almost anything dangerous! I’m right?! Deciding what is and isn’t kidproof in your home is a challenge, but the ultimate goal is finding a good balance for your family, somewhere between “bubble wrap everything” and “fingers crossed they survive.”

Obviously, baby safety is no substitute for good parenting, but there are some dangers that are just too great to overlook. In our house – that hazard is the horizontal railing in our hallway on the second floor, right between our boys’ bedrooms.

When we bought the house, that railing seemed innocent enough, but the moment we had kids, I realized it was really nothing more than a ladder that little boys begged to climb up… and then into the first stick to fall.

This is not only a serious danger, but one that children will not easily outgrow. I can see this railing being just as tempting for an 8 year old to climb as it is for a 2 year old. So we knew we had to find a way to make this railing child proof enough that we could live with it for many years to come.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something I recommend, you’ll pay the same price, but I may get a small commission.

One thing I quickly learned about baby safety is that there are many options to choose from, but finding products that actually work for your home’s configuration can be a huge challenge.

Baby gate for difficult areas

Take baby gates, for example. Adding a gate to the stairs is one of those kid-safe staples, especially in a house with three steep 20-step staircases! But finding gates that actually work on our stairs gave us a huge headache! Most security gates can’t be angled properly – but due to the height of our baseboards and the positioning of our handrails, an angle was a must. I finally found a super sturdy option that gave us the flexibility we needed and we installed these baby gates on all three flights of stairs in our home. Thanks to these gate clamps {which we painted black} we were even able to attach a gate to our black railing without drilling into our metal railings. Best of all, the deadbolts on these gates are secure enough that the kids could never pick them!

Child Resistant Railings: Works for horizontal railings, cable railings, and unsafe railing gaps

There are also many options for child-proof railings. A popular product is a railnet – basically a net that you stretch around the inside of the railing. While this probably works well for vertical railings because it would discourage children from sticking their heads between railings that are too far apart or letting toys through, the netting is stretchy and really wouldn’t stop a child from putting their feet on the horizontal rails, if they were determined to climb.

I’ve finally found the perfect solution for our horizontal railings – a roll of thin, durable, shatterproof, clear plastic that forms a barrier around the railing while allowing an unobstructed view!

I measured the length of our railing and then ordered a 15 foot roll of railing sign

You will find that the roller looks too short for our railings, but is actually just the right height to cover the span from the top rail to the bottom rail leaving only a small gap under the bottom rail and the floor. The plastic roll is 33 inches.

Simple tools to install the railing protection

Railing Sign

11″ black cable ties (or other color to match your railing)

Sharpie

tape measure

scissors

Hole punch (use your own, not the flimsy one that comes with it)

yard stick

Tongs

How to install Banister Shield

We started by unrolling the railing protector and measuring the length of one side of our railing. We marked the length with a sharpie and used a folding ruler to mark a straight line. Be sure to draw your sharpie line on the side of the plastic that is covered with a removable protective sheet.

The plastic is very easy to cut through with a pair of simple scissors.

Installing the railing protection is quick and easy. Use a hole punch to make holes in the plastic and use zip ties to secure the plastic to the railing. Be sure to place the side of the plastic with the protective film facing out for easy removal after assembly.

The easiest way to mount the railing protection is with two people – at least until the upper corners are tight. You will need one person to hold the plastic in place while the other person uses the sharpie to mark the spot where the first two holes will be punched to wrap the zip ties around the top rail and side rail (as shown in the photo above).

Once you have secured the top corners, smooth out the railing protector and mark the locations where you will attach the railing protector along the sides and bottom of the railing. Again, don’t worry about leaving Sharpie marks since you’ll remove the protective film later.

Use a hole punch to create a hole at the marked location.

It didn’t come with a hole punch when I bought this plastic, but recent reviews on Amazon mention that it comes with a flimsy hole punch that doesn’t work very well. I recommend using your own hole punch. We used a standard from an office supply store and had no problems.

Then wrap a zip tie through the hole and around the side rail.

You’ll want to make sure the zip tie is as tight as possible, so use pliers if you can’t tighten it by hand.

Once the zip tie is secure, use your scissors to trim off the excess. I recommend positioning the cut end on the outside of the railing to ensure no potentially sharp points are within reach of pinky fingers.

After both sides of our railing were covered with the plastic railing protector but before the protective film was removed it looked like this…

After the installation was complete, we were able to remove the foil. Starting in one corner, we slowly peeled back the film to reveal the crystal clear plastic.

If the foil is removed from the right side, but not yet from the left side, you can see the drastic difference. On the right, the plastic railing protection is almost invisible, but makes up for a few reflections here and there.

Now I don’t have to worry about the boys climbing those railings at all!

Of course you know I love solutions that are both functional and stylish so it’s a great added bonus that the clear plastic railing protector doesn’t get in the way. It’s almost invisible, and even the cable ties practically disappear on our black metal railings.

It’s so great to have peace of mind that these two little men can safely run and play in this hallway without the temptation to scale the horizontal railing.

I used to look at this railing and see nothing but a dangerous ladder, but now I have peace of mind knowing it’s impossible to climb!

Update five years later:

December 2019: We’ve had this railing sign in place for five and a half years. Our boys are six and eight now and I don’t trust them to climb the railing, but we still have friends with younger children who visit us often. The railing protector still looks as good as new – which means it’s still almost invisible – so I don’t plan on taking this railing protector down any time soon.

Cardinal Gates Railing Sign Frequently Asked Questions:

I get emails and questions about this railing sign quite often, so I thought it would be helpful to address some of the frequently asked questions here:

Home » News » High Rise Syndrome in Cats

With the arrival of warm weather comes the time when we open our windows wide and enjoy the time relaxing on the balcony with the door left open. Out comes your cat for a visit while you enjoy the late evening breeze. But open windows and unobstructed balconies can pose a serious threat to curious kittens.

What is high-rise syndrome?

Every year, as the temperature rises, so does the incidence of “skyscraper syndrome.” High-rise syndrome is a term coined in the early 1980s when a New York City animal treatment center (Animal Medical Center) treated over a hundred cats that had fallen out of a “high-rise building” for five months. The cats brought to the clinic had chest trauma, head and facial injuries, and broken limbs.

Do cats jump or fall?

Cats like to sit up high, which can create a dangerous situation. Cats are not afraid of heights and like to sit high up. Cats can and do fall off balconies quite often, especially when concentrating on a bird or squirrel, startled by a noise, or even rolling off a threshold or railing while they are sleeping. While cats can cling to tree bark with their claws, they aren’t as good at gripping the slippery surfaces of window sills and balcony railings, making it easy for them to slip and fall. Cats don’t usually jump off balconies, but will try to jump onto something if they lose their balance or miss their landing and fall.

Many cat owners think their cat won’t fall, or if it does, it will “land on its feet.” Cats’ reflexes allow them to turn right side up when falling, and they often land on their feet when falling from a height of more than 1-2 feet. Cats that fall from a first or second floor are likely to right themselves, but aren’t necessarily perfectly positioned to land without incident. How they fall or what surface they fall on determines the nature of an injury, which can sometimes be serious. Falling from a height allows the cat to sprawl in the “flying squirrel position,” which slows the rate of fall. Cats that survive the initial fall have a high survival rate, but often sustain traumatic injuries. Not all cats survive falls from tall buildings.

What to do if your cat falls out of the window

If your cat falls out of a window or balcony, take them to your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency room immediately. Even if your cat seems fine, it can have internal injuries, including bruising of the heart and lungs, head injuries, a ruptured bladder, and fractures of the hips, pelvis, jaw, and limbs. Survival rate is good for high rise syndrome victims IF they receive prompt veterinary care.

How can I prevent my cat from getting high-rise building syndrome?

Keep window screens firmly secured

Close windows when you don’t have screens

Open the upper part of the window and not the lower one if the windows are double-hung

Don’t let your cat on your patio or balcony

Make sure there are no gaps around window air conditioners that a cat could squeeze through

Enjoy the summer breeze for sure!

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Protecting dogs and puppies from the myriad of ways they can potentially injure themselves is a challenge and it can sometimes test our patience. At times it seems as if our dogs are drawn to danger and will specifically seek out the riskiest situations they can find – such as possibly falling or jumping from balconies and heights.

As more and more people live in buildings with balconies or in high-rise buildings, the risk of dogs jumping or falling from balconies has increased. In this guide I explain how dogs or puppies fall from balconies and how to pet your dog.

Do dogs know not to jump off balconies? Most adult dogs know not to jump off balconies. Dogs understand heights, but there are risks in puppies or dogs with vision problems or when they are excited. In such cases, dogs can jump from balconies.

That’s the short answer, but I want to explain more because you should never assume that your dog won’t jump off a balcony regardless of their age. I also include tips on how to make a balcony dog-friendly.

Can you leave your dog on a balcony?

In the US, more and more people are choosing to live in apartments, often with dogs that they leave unattended on the balcony.

Unfortunately, over the years this has resulted in more and more dogs falling off these balconies, suffering serious injuries or even dying.

So while you can theoretically leave your dog on a balcony, I don’t recommend it. Dogs don’t think rationally, and when excited they might jump and fall from a height.

In fact, just recently in Vancouver, Canada, there was a report of a dog jumping to its death from a balcony. According to a report by CTV News, the following statements were made:

“The dog that fell from a balcony of a Vancouver neighborhood high-rise over the weekend appeared to be trying to get back inside. The Australian Shepherd fell to his death from the 21st floor while bystanders looked on helplessly. The animal was not thrown or pushed, but investigators are still trying to determine whether cruelty charges are warranted against the person responsible for putting the dog in this dangerous situation.”

Do dogs know not to jump off balconies?

Based on the evidence and examples in the news, although rare, dogs don’t usually jump off balconies, but they don’t always know not to jump off balconies. They are dogs and often lack sanity as they are unlikely to assess risk.

You should never leave your dog unattended on a balcony, no matter the situation or circumstances. Although most dogs are reluctant to climb over the edge of a balcony, it’s not uncommon for smaller dogs to accidentally squeeze through the bars and fall.

When the risk of a dog jumping off the balcony is greatest

If you are the owner of a smaller breed, be careful about letting them out onto the balcony as in most cases a fall will be fatal. Similarly, puppies should never be allowed onto balconies without constant supervision from their owners.

The same goes for larger dogs, which have been known to misjudge height and attempt to escape from balconies by jumping.

Typically, this behavior is most likely to occur in male dogs after smelling a bitch in heat.

As such, you should only allow your male dog onto the balcony if he is neutered or the area is completely dog-safe (tips below on balcony dog ​​safety).

Similarly, females in heat are notorious for brilliantly escaping the home and should be encouraged to remain indoors until their cycles are over.

Dogs that are either extremely territorial or very energetic should also be watched closely. If your pooch can see over the balcony, either by standing on his hind legs or by jumping onto a vantage point (e.g. a chair), there is a risk that he will spot another dog underneath and try to reach him.

Unfortunately, this desire can sometimes override a dog’s natural instinct to shy away from great heights, leading to dangerous situations.

After all, loud noises like fireworks can make even the quietest of dogs jump, and as such, you should keep your pup indoors at any type of loud celebration.

Are dogs then height aware?

In general, most dogs develop an understanding of heights by the time they reach adulthood.

Through trial and error, they begin to tell the difference between a dangerous jump (or fall) and a safe one, intentionally avoiding areas where they could injure themselves.

In fact, you’ve probably noticed this behavior before taking your dog for walks through the countryside.

For example, it is not uncommon for dogs to shy away from steep cliffs and other areas that pose dangerous challenges to their mobility and balance. Similarly, this trait can sometimes be seen in urban areas as well, where many nervous dogs refuse to walk over bridges or other high areas that make them uncomfortable.

Do puppies know heights and balconies?

Unlike their more mature and older counterparts, puppies rarely have an understanding of size or the dangers of balconies.

Just like human babies, they need time to develop some sort of distance perception, which often explains their amusing habit of bumping into things or tripping over objects.

Unfortunately, when left to their own devices, young puppies can fall or jump from balconies or easily find themselves in situations where they risk falling off and seriously injuring themselves.

Although falls from balconies are the most dangerous, falls from stairs, tall furniture, and even beds can potentially result in a trip to the vet for your pup.

Because of this, it is important that you dog-proof your home before introducing a new puppy into the household, which we will discuss in more detail later in this article.

Can dogs be afraid of heights and balconies?

Interestingly, it’s not uncommon for dogs to develop a fear of heights. Like humans, dogs can be afraid of absolutely anything, from cars, strangers, skateboards, and even small animals, although this is rare.

As previously mentioned, as dogs age, they develop a natural height awareness that helps them survive.

Therefore, when placed in a situation where they could fall, such as B. on a high balcony, experience a fear reaction and avoid approaching this area in the future.

However, sometimes certain dogs develop extreme phobias of heights, refusing to go near the balcony or even struggling to climb the stairs.

Generally, dogs suffering from this mental condition have experienced a traumatic event in their life, such as B. a fall that resulted in serious injury or at least significant pain.

Still, it’s not uncommon for dogs to pick up on other pooches’ fears, and from time to time they might inherit this behavior from other dogs or pets in the household.

How do you make a balcony dog-friendly and safe?

Luckily, there are many different methods you can use to pet and dog proof your balcony. With a little ingenuity, this area of ​​your home can quickly become a place where your dog can safely relax without fear of jumping and falling from great heights.

First of all, it should be mentioned that some balconies are more suitable for our four-legged companions than others. For example, balconies with screened enclosures are often very safe and almost unavoidable for most dogs.

Still, it’s worth checking the screens for cracks or gaps before allowing your dog to stay in there for any length of time.

1. Buy a balcony net or privacy screen

It’s the same stuff designed for kids that can help dog proof your balcony but create a net to close any gaps that smaller dogs and puppies could potentially squeeze through.

You can buy the stuff on Amazon, here are some I found.

Look closely at your railing and see if your dog can squeeze through. Keep in mind that some dogs have a lot of fur and this can often be misleading as to their actual size.

If you don’t want to buy this Amazon suggestion, try filling the gaps between the railings with mosquito nets, plexi sheets, or other suitable materials.

Also, make sure whatever you use is purchased and non-toxic to dogs. Another option you can try is using tall and heavy dog-friendly plants to fill in the gaps.

However, you should make sure your pooch can’t push them out of the way or knock them over.

2. Remove any furniture or objects that dogs can stand on

When it comes to more open balconies, the first step in making that area pet-safe is to move any furniture you own away from the edge.

In most cases, dogs only fall from a balcony because they could reach a higher vantage point and jump.

Conclusion

The life of a dog owner can be stressful, especially when we have the nagging doubt in the back of our minds that if we turn our backs on them, they could get hurt.

Jumping off balconies is a very real fear.

Naturally, this has left dog owners wondering if their furry friends have an understanding of heights or if they are unaware of these dangers.

As previously stated, while it can be rare in older dogs, make sure your balcony secures your dog and keep an eye on them at all times.

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Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-balcony-home-on-brown-canine-4113859/

In 2015, little three-year-old Freddie Coulton from East Sussex, UK, slipped between the balustrades of a balcony railing and fell ten feet. The poor boy ended up on the carpeting in historic Lewes Town Hall and luckily (and miraculously!) walked away with little more than a few bruises.

It doesn’t always end so happily. Approximately 140 fall deaths in children under the age of 15 occur annually in the United States. Another 3 million require emergency treatment for fall-related injuries. Fortunately, modern building codes dictate that railings must be built with child safety in mind. There are also railing options that eliminate the risk of being pinched between balusters. But balustrades aren’t the only consideration when it comes to kids and railings. There are also environmental and even lighting factors to consider when choosing a child-safe balcony railing.

Prevent falls with modern building codes

Due to the risk of railings coming loose or children slipping or getting stuck between the balustrades, railing systems manufactured and installed today must comply with regulations. In particular, they must comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) or the International Building Code (IBC), depending on the exact criteria of the house. This means that every product you buy today meets quality requirements and is safe for children. Responsibility for proper installation – by following the manufacturer’s instructions and using appropriate hardware – lies with whoever installs the product, be it a contractor or yourself.

Modern building codes require that all clearances of deck and balcony components, such as balustrades and posts, be small enough to prevent even a very small child from getting their head between the balustrades. It also requires railings to have a minimum level of strength and height to reduce the risk of falling.

Correct baluster spacing for a child-safe balcony railing

If spacing between balustrades is still an issue, there are railing system options that simply have no balustrades. All-glass railings use a sheet of glass attached to posts with either very little or no clearance between the glass and the post, depending on the design. This creates less space for children to put arms, legs or objects through.

Glass railings are made of tempered glass, which is much stronger than regular glass and can be hit with a blunt object without breaking. One thing to keep in mind about glass is that while these railings are easy to clean, they’re also pretty easy to smudge and get dirty. This is especially true if you have young children. The good news is that cleaning glass railings is usually as simple as wiping it down with a soap and water or vinegar solution. When using the vinegar solution, be careful not to get the vinegar on exposed aluminum, cast iron, or waxed surfaces. The metals can react chemically and vinegar can strip the wax. Both home improvement and home improvement stores carry outdoor glass cleaners that come in a bottle that’s meant to attach to your hose. If you decide to use one of these products, all you have to do is twist on your hose and spray down the jar.

lighting and security

Let’s not forget the lighting! Adequate lighting is key to making your home and balcony safe. For many people, lighting is an afterthought, but poor lighting contributes to over 18,000 U.S. household deaths each year.

The lighting of stairs, balconies and decks must also comply with the regulations. As a homeowner, you can even be held liable if guests are harmed by poor lighting on your property. Stairs and decks with slope access (i.e. stairways or other areas that are not level) must both be illuminated.

Residential lighting regulations also require that at least 75% of all incandescent and permanent lighting fixtures in your home be highly efficient. Examples of high efficiency lighting are compact fluorescent lamps (CLF) and LED lighting. Some railing manufacturers produce highly efficient LED lighting options for your railing system, such as LED railing post lights or baluster lights that meet energy efficiency and lighting regulations.

Other railing systems

As previously mentioned, modern railing systems manufactured and installed in the United States must follow the IRC or IBC in order to be safe for you and your family. However, horizontal types of railing can be dangerous for children due to the “ladder effect”. To prevent children from climbing and falling over railings, avoid horizontal cable railings.

Vertical cable railings use learned stainless steel wires instead of traditional balustrades. The cables are made of unpainted, polished stainless steel, so your child cannot be exposed to toxins in the paint. They are very simple and easy to clean, requiring minimal time and effort. This type of railing is highly recommended for children.

Steel can also be a good choice for children, depending on the quality of the finish. Paint should be non-toxic and will need touch-ups and monitoring for chipping, but high quality finishes such as powder coatings are non-toxic, inert and extremely unlikely to chip or rust.

Aluminum is also strong, non-toxic and will not rust. Like steel, it can be purchased with a powder paint finish which is very durable and is inert and non-toxic.

Vinyl is also a good choice as it can be easily wiped clean if children get dirty. One downside is that vinyl is prone to mold, which can be bad for your health. This is easy to clean but requires regular inspection.

Wood is beautiful to look at, but it can require a lot of maintenance. You should inspect your wood railings regularly to make sure there is no rot, insect damage, chipping or paint chipping. Neglecting wooden railings can lead to cracking or rot, which can make railings dangerously weak. Unpainted wood railings can also be difficult to clean, while painted railings can pose toxic hazards from the paint.

Safe stay in high-rise buildings and apartments

High-rise buildings such as blocks of flats and apartments have been designed primarily with fire safety in mind. The doors, walls and floors of a dwelling are all designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading to other areas of the building, but this requires the doors to be closed and not left open.

Every building is different and your housing association/building manager can give you specific fire safety advice on how and when to evacuate your home.

No combustible materials or furniture may be stored in common areas such as stairwells or hallways. Keeping these areas clear protects escape routes and reduces the risk of intentional fires.

Parking spaces for emergency vehicles should be kept free to allow firefighters quick access to hydrants and the building in the event of a fire.

In most high-rise buildings, the following advice usually applies. However, you should contact your housing provider for details or if you have any concerns:

When there’s a fire in your apartment

Try to stay calm. Call to inform everyone in the apartment. Then get out and stay out. Don’t stop for valuables. your life is more important

Don’t look for the fire.

Do not open doors if they are warm to the touch.

If there is a lot of smoke, crawl on the ground. The air is clearer there. Tell your neighbors about the fire. Bang on their doors on the way out.

Call the fire and ambulance services. It’s free to dial 999 from any phone.

If you’re trapped, go out onto the balcony. But don’t think about jumping. Wait for the fire and rescue services.

Do not use the elevators. Tell everyone in your house what the escape plan is. Tell everyone where the door key is. Practice what you would do if you had a real fire.

If you can’t get out because the fire is blocking your escape, get everyone to a safe room. Pack pillows, sheets, pillows, and towels at the bottom of the door to block the smoke. Open the window and wave a leaf to let the firefighters know you’re there.

Make an escape plan and make sure everyone knows it.

If there is a fire in your building

Advice from fire and rescue services is based on buildings being equipped with effective fire safety precautions, including proper fire separation and suitable escape routes.

If your home is on fire, you should always evacuate yourself and everyone else in your home by following your escape plan and closing the front door behind you. You should then alert the fire and ambulance services by calling 999 once you are in a safe place.

If there is a fire anywhere in your building, in most cases your home should be designed to provide you with adequate shelter, but if the fire, heat or smoke affects you then you should evacuate.

Check with your landlord or housing provider for details on the evacuation strategy for your building.

If you stay at your home, call 999 for advice and to let incoming firefighters know your location.

Use the stairs, never use the elevator.

Fire safety tips for your home or apartment

Make sure you have a smoke detector. Test it regularly – if the alarm doesn’t work, contact your housing association/property manager to have it fixed.

If the alarm has a battery, change the battery every year even if it still works.

Never tamper with internal fire mains (dry riser) inlets on pedestals – these supply water to firefighters in the event of an emergency. It could cost lives if they fail to function properly in a fire. If you discover that a dry riser has been vandalized or damaged, report it to your housing association/building manager immediately.

Create an escape plan for your home. If there is a fire, how to get out during the day and night?

Garbage bags, combustible materials or furniture may not be stored in common areas such as stairwells and hallways. By keeping these areas clear, escape routes are protected.

Contact details for housing providers:

Cheshire East Social Landlords and Housing (opens in new window)

Social Landlords and Housing for Cheshire West and Chester (opens in new window)

Halton Social Landlords and Housing (opens in new window)

Social Landlords and Housing for Warrington (opens in new window)

Book a home security check

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service conduct home security visits to any person living in a high rise to provide advice and conduct home security checks.

To arrange a viewing, please use the link below:

Book a home security visit

Conduct your own home security check

Complete our online home safety check and you will receive a personalized fire safety plan that includes advice on how to prevent fires in your home.

Do the online home security check

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Last updated: Friday 30 June 2017

Is your balcony secure? 3 Warning Signs!

Is your balcony secure? 3 Warning Signs!

In California, you must have heard of the tragic balcony incident that killed six people at a Berkeley apartment building in June 2015. And just last month, another balcony collapse injured 5 people, including a child, in Los Angeles, California.

Balcony outages have been making the news lately, and these are not isolated incidents; In fact, in 2017 there were 4 incidents reported within a few days.

In light of all these incidents, lawmakers created SB721 to regulate decks and balconies and hopefully prevent these tragic incidents. When you step onto the balcony, the last thing on your mind is security and structure. Finally, through novels/movies like Romeo and Juliet and Pretty Woman, balconies have symbolized a romantic sentiment. However, safety and structure are our main concerns now as we have only heard tragic stories that have happened because balconies were not coded.

Even if we don’t want to hear it, the awful truth is that balconies and patios pose a real security risk. An estimated 500 people are injured by deck collapses each year, and an estimated 50% of the 40 million decks in the US are NOT built to code. Even if your deck was built to code, the possibilities of wood rot and other environmental factors can compromise the integrity of the structure. This may also vary in areas of extreme weather.

As with any other hazard, your best chance of safety depends on knowledge and preventive measures. Below are the 3 warning signs to tell if your deck is compromised:

Do nails hold your balcony or terrace?

Do nails hold your patio/balcony? If so, your balcony does not comply with the regulations. Nails were not designed for structural work. You wouldn’t use a nail to hold a heavy mirror or frame around your home, so why use it for your patios and balconies? Nails cannot grip the wall or support the frame and once you realize this you will know that a deck with nails is a deck not nailed down. And you don’t want to be seen standing on it.

how old is your wood

As metal rusts, wood rots. Especially in a humid climate. You should have your deck professionally inspected after ten years of original construction and every three years thereafter. Look for porous, flaky wood. Poke it with screwdriver or umbrella. If it can crumble, it can crumble. There’s no point in using all those screws and bolts if they have nothing to hold on to. replace it!

Are you Rails Sturdy?

Your railings should be sturdy and at least 36 inches high (42 inches for commercial buildings). If it is not stable, immediately replace any loose or rotten railings.

Now it’s time to check your patio and/or balcony! Don’t be surprised if your deck falls into the 50% unprogrammable. It’s not uncommon for subdivisions and other mass-produced homes to take shortcuts that no one can see. If you have even the slightest concern, contact an IQV Construction & Roofing professional. Chances are you’re due for a professional deck inspection anyway, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

IQV Construction & Roofing can get the job done efficiently while keeping everyone safe. If you need a repair, call us at 408-638-5500 or request a quote online.