SB326 Services In Camarillo, CA

SB 326 Overview

The state of California has signed into regulations a law that will demand organizations to execute Deck Examinations once every 9 years. The Balcony Assessments will contain Waterproofing elements and structural component assessment. Balcony Examinations has to be performed by a certified architect or structural engineer. Balcony examinations have to do with structures which are timber based over 6 ft. in elevation and are equipped for foot visitors.

Why was SB 326 established in Camarillo, CA?

SB 326 was written as a way to recognize risks to occupants pertaining to failing structural elements in balconies. SB 326 says that multifamily associations with three or more dwellings need to be examined once every nine years. SB 326 only is applicable to condominium associations. SB 326 was put in place to guard against balcony collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 was put into place due to the volume of balcony collapses in the state of California, which in turn ended in deaths.

SB 721 Overview

SB 721 was placed into law September of 2017. SB 721 is related to Balcony Assessments being done on condominium complexes. There is a bigger range of who can carry out these examinations for SB 721. Building contractors, structural engineers, and architects are able to conduct Balcony Assessments for SB 721. Balconies should be examined once every 6 yrs under SB 721. Only 15% of each outside raised element should be inspected under SB 721.

Exterior Elevated Elements

Exterior elevated elements also known as EEEs are what have to be examined within a new state regulation - SB 326. External elevated elements include timber based components above six feet in height that have a load. Exterior elevated elements include balconies, decks, walkways, staircases, landings, and cat walks. All railings and staircase connections are also looked over and considered an external elevated element. External elevated elements are sometimes looked over by the use of bore scopes, moisture meters, and infrared cameras. External elevated elements must be examined for structural integrity and waterproofing integrity.

January 1st, 2025

All visual inspections per SB 326 must be done by the particular date of Jan 1, 2025.

January 1, 2025 is not really the deadline for all repairs to get finished. If inspections arn't performed by Jan 1, 2025, the state of California could impose a fine until compliance is satisfied.

Waterproofing Elements

SB 326 requires waterproofing elements be examined on balconies. Waterproofing components include a variety of things. Waterproofing elements are flashings, sealants, Doorway pans, outdoor patios, surface finishes, outdoor patio waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing components are essential to examine. Architectural failure starts off with failed waterproofing components. Waterproofing elements fail, and humidity moves to the deck structure, resulting in dry rot. Waterproofing components will almost always be recommended to get installed by a accredited specialized organization that focuses on waterproofing elements.

Structural

Architectural reliability is key to maintaining occupants safe on balconies. Structural components consist of support joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams as well as other blocking. Architectural reliability is jeopardized when unintended water vapors transferred through the balconies waterproofing system and saturate the structural members. Without enough air-flow these architectural members stay moist for a extended period of time. From the structural components retaining water, this weakens the wood and it can be unsafe. Without structural reliability the deck is harmful for occupancy.

Balcony Law

In the state of California, SB 326 is referred to as the Balcony law. The deck legislation was made to always keep occupants of multi family associations, secure.

The deck law targets condo, associations, and apartment buildings. The balcony law was turned into a civil code section 5551 state law. The balcony legislation relates itself to external raised elements. The deck law or SB 326 was authored by senator Hill in the year 2018 after having a balcony collapse, in 2015, that ended in deaths of students.