flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Codes and Standards

Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Regulations call for three-year inspections, new construction standards


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 16, 2015
Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Photo: Berkeley City Hall. Almonroth, Wikimedia Commons.

Apartment building balconies in Berkeley, Calif., will be subject to inspections every three years under new regulations adopted following a deadly collapse.

The city council also adopted a measure to require new balconies to be made of corrosion-resistant material and be ventilated to prevent a buildup of moisture.

Six students were killed and seven others were hospitalized when the apartment balcony collapsed during a birthday party in June.

Inspectors said the balcony was supported by wooden beams that rotted from water damage. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the collapse.

Related Stories

| May 3, 2012

Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto

A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.

| May 3, 2012

Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating

LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.

| Apr 26, 2012

Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino

Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

| Apr 26, 2012

OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.

| Apr 26, 2012

Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts

In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.

| Apr 26, 2012

Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales

Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.

| Apr 26, 2012

New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics

New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.

| Apr 23, 2012

AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum

AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021