The most beautiful views are captured on open balconies, especially when viewing the sunrises and sunsets in Florida. However, maintaining balconies and ensuring their safety comes with a cost. Because balconies are exposed to harsh elements like wind, salt, and water, it increases the probability of structural issues. Balconies commonly fail due to inadequate ledger connections, improperly installed moisture barriers, rotting wood, or loose fasteners and connectors.
Structural balcony failures,collapses, and loose railings can lead to severe injuries. Familiarity with balcony inspection requirements and proper maintenance, especially on elevated structures, can prevent structural problems and tragedies. Our expert team at Forum Forensics is knowledgeable in Florida’s state-mandated inspection requirements, as highlighted below.
Inspection Requirements
Florida Administration Code (FAC 61C-1.002 “requires an inspection of balconies, decks and railings on public lodging establishments every three years.” It is recommended that balconies be inspected yearly to ensure they remain structurally sound. Balcony inspections are required by law for good reasons: they help reduce the risk of accidents and help ensure that all safety features and the overall structure are adequately maintained. Regular evaluation by a licensed structural engineering professional can help identify and address potential problems quickly before they become major concerns. For more information on balcony building codes, please visit: CHAPTER 14 EXTERIOR WALLS,2023 Florida Building Code, Building, Eighth Edition | ICC Digital Codes(iccsafe.org)
Although the Florida state statute requires inspections every three years, it is recommended that balconies be inspected yearly to ensure they remain structurally sound. If a building owner chooses not to have a property inspected annually, there are visible signs that signal when to request a structural inspection.
Signs of Balcony Damage
The construction material of a balcony determines what kind of wear or damage will occur. There are four different materials including concrete, wood, steel, and aluminum. The most common materials used specifically for commercial balconies are typically concrete and steel.
With concrete balconies, some of the most obvious signs of damage include:
- Salt stains
- Rust stains
- Cracks
- Pits
- Tiny Potholes
- Spalling
In the case of steel balconies, noticeable defects include:
- Corrosion
- Deformation
- Cracks or peeling
- Metal concrete separation
- Broken welds
- Rust Stains
Wood balconies will present visible issues in the form of:
- Mold
- Deformation
- Split or cracked deck boards
- Gap at the ledger or tie-in of the building
- Loose screws or connectors
These visual cues are usually all results of underlying water damage and infiltration, which is why simple maintenance is essential. Doing nothing or waiting too long to correct the problem could quickly become a life safety issue for patrons and negatively impact the entire structure.
Unresolved Damage Risks
Over time, balconies will experience weathering,environmental damage, and structural issues that require repair. Minor problems arise, such as loose boards and small steel railing replacements, which are typically inexpensive repairs. If these minor issues are overlooked, they can lead to significant problems. Since balconies are attached to buildings or homes, different structural issues can surface from the movement between the elements. If significant repairs are required to the primary structure, it canbe very costly and even result in a condemned property. Besides construction costs, litigation can occur if a balcony does not adhere to current codes or leads to injury.
Whether the cause of damage is from aging, weather events, or construction defects, Forum Forensics can complete a detailed report that determines the extent of the damage and identifies the origin of the problem. Our team is well-versed in serving everyone on all sides of the inspection, including insurance adjusters, property managers, attorneys, and property owners. If you need a balcony inspected,contact our expert team today, Home-FORUM FORENSICS- Structural Damage Assessments.
Cited:
Florida HR7020 Balcony,Deck, and Railing Inspection - Property360 (thebuildinginspector.net)
CHAPTER 14 EXTERIOR WALLS,2023 Florida Building Code, Building, Eighth Edition | ICC Digital Codes(iccsafe.org)
