DANGER: Decorative Balconies. Fatal Berkeley Balcony Collapse

[WhatInThe]

A balcony collapsed in Berkeley California and killed at least 5. It's been revealed that the balcony in question was not meant for a group of people and more decorative in nature.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Berkeley-balcony-was-decorative-ex-member-of-6331841.php

Also revealed there was a lot of rotting wood in a newer structure which is the focus of the investigation now. Drainage could be an issue.

So when buying an apartment, house or condo with a small balcony it might only be decorative in nature and not meant for a group of people like let's say a deck which also have been known to collapse.

I would check or observe what water dose on your balcony as well. Does it drain or pool/sit on the balcony. Poor drainage is being blamed as contributing to rotting wood in the frame of the collapsed balcony.

 

[hollydolly]

Appalling!! A Balcony should only be deemed decorative if there is only a window and no door access to it..if there are doors which lead out onto it then it should be built strongly enough to take the weight of as many people as it can comfortable support..in the same way a small elevator does.

 

[WhatInThe]

Appalling!! A Balcony should only be deemed decorative if there is only a window and no door access to it..if there are doors which lead out onto it then it should be built strongly enough to take the weight of as many people as it can comfortable support..in the same way a small elevator does.

Just the doors or access to it would the average person to believe it was ment to have people or things on it. That being said I'm looking at the pictures and there were supposedly 13 people on it at the time of collapse. 13 people on that space??? If nothing else they should've had a weight limit or people capacity posted somewhere.

Unless they can prove the owner neglected obvious signs of that rotting wood this will come back on the builder/designer/architect.

 

[hollydolly]

Yes you have to take into consideration the lack of common sense with people as well I totally agree. Why on earth would 13 people want to cram themselves out onto that tiny space? Beggars belief really..what a tragedy!! I feel dreadfully sad for the families of those youngsters who died .