Balcony Inspections
Deck Inspections
Fire Escape Inspections
Ladder Inspections
Fire Escape Load Tests
SB 721 California Balcony Inspection
>in effect 2019
>apartment buildings
>wood decks, balconies, elevated walkways, guardrails and handrails
>weather exposed surfaces, concealed wood framing and 15% of EEEs
>reinspection every six years
>repairs must happen within 240 days
>inspections performed by licensed general contractor, architect, engineer and certified building inspector
On January 1, 2019 SB 721 went into effect applies to apartment buildings with three or more units.
Also SB 326, signed in 2019, applies to community associations or condominiums with three or more attached units.
Balcony failures due to age, overload, termite damage, dry-rot and long term structural deterioration. Certain balcony units on one building may be higher prone to failure because of these factors:
- water damage from watering plants on the balcony
- overloading balcony spans with dead loads
- termite damage (usually through beam cracks)
- windward side of building causing waterproofing to fail
- Drainage from roof that damages balcony joists
- no waterproofing
- no drainage from balcony
- poor railing connections
- earthquake damage
- ground settlement