Queenslanders urged to check balcony standards

PROPERTY NEWS

Vendors and real estate agents should avoid the risk of unwittingly selling or renting a home with an unsafe balcony which could collapse, killing or injuring people, by having scheduled maintenance checks.

That’s the advice of Ian Agnew, Queensland state manager of Archicentre, who says people buying properties with large decks, or high balconies, especially Queenslanders and those in coastal areas, should request a copy of the building permit for the structure and an independent current assessment of its safety by a registered inspector from a reputable organisation.
Mr Agnew said it is important people purchasing homes have access to appropriate building permits to gain an understanding of when the deck was built and approved by the local council.
Archicentre's pre-purchase home inspection statistics show that approximately 6 per cent of Australian homes have a timber balcony or deck and that about 2 per cent of these (8000) are potentially fatal. Following another balcony collapse in New South Wales recently, where 12 teenagers were injured, Mr Agnew said selling a house with an unsafe balcony could be compared to selling a car with no brakes.
In recent times in Queensland we have seen a tragic incident where a balcony floor gave way causing a baby to be dropped resulting in a death.
“The potential for multiple law suits against agents and vendors of homes sold with illegally built or unsafe balconies is a very real issue given the fact that many of the collapses can happen with large numbers of people on the deck.
“Anyone who purchases a home with a balcony that is in disrepair and which collapses injuring people or themselves could find themselves in no man’s land with insurance claims as they are responsible for maintaining their home in good order."
Archicentre stresses there is a need for people to continually inspect their decks and balconies for rotting timbers and rusty corroding steel fittings which could lead to life threatening balcony collapses.
Mr Agnew said in the last few years, balcony collapses in several states have resulted in a number of injuries and deaths with Queenslanders and coastal properties in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings.
“As a safety measure, all homeowners should continually thoroughly check the timbers, fixings and structure that support and attach the deck to the home, and check the bracing members and support beams of the deck, timber posts and steel columns looking for soft, spongy sections of compressed timber and rusting steel.”
“If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure to seek professional advice of an architect, engineer or registered builder.”