CA Balcony Inspections 101
On June 16, 2015, six people died and seven others were severely injured in a tragic residential balcony collapse in Berkeley, California. Structural analysis revealed that the wood framing of the balcony was severely weakened by dry rot from rainwater penetration due to improper sealing of the balcony to the main building. The investigation confirmed the balcony failure was due to rotted wood, which significantly weakened the structural framing. Water and heat combined caused the growth of fungus, which ate through the structure of the balcony. This condition is common, especially for buildings in the Bay Area. The building was only 8 years old.