SB326 Services In Oxnard, CA

SB 326 Overview

The state of CA recently signed into laws a law designed to call for associations to complete Balcony Inspections once every nine years. The Balcony Inspections will consist of Waterproofing factors and architectural element examination. Balcony Inspections has to be done by an authorized architect or structural expert. Balcony inspections relate to structures that happen to be hardwood based over six ft. in elevation and are designed for foot traffic.

Why was SB 326 established in Oxnard, CA?

SB 326 was created to be able to recognize risks to residents regarding faltering structural elements in balconies. SB 326 states that multifamily associations with 3 or more dwellings have to be inspected once every nine years. SB 326 only refers to condominium associations. SB 326 was put in place to guard against balcony collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 has been put into place because of the amount of deck collapses in the state of California, that led to deaths.

SB 721 Overview

SB 721 was put into legislation September of 2017. SB 721 has to do with Deck Assessments being done on condo properties. There is a broader array of who is able to carry out these assessments for SB 721. Contractors, architectural engineers, and architects are able to conduct Deck Inspections for SB 721. Balconies should be examined once every 6 yrs under SB 721. Only 15% of each exterior raised element must be checked out under SB 721.

Exterior Elevated Elements

Exterior elevated elements also referred to as EEEs are what should be examined under a new state regulation - SB 326. External elevated elements include hardwood based components above six ft. in size that possess a load. External elevated elements include balconies, decks, pathways, staircases, landings, and cat walks. All railings and staircase connections may also be inspected and considered an external elevated element. Exterior elevated elements are often looked over using bore scopes, moisture content meters, and infra-red digital cameras. External elevated elements need to be looked at for structural reliability and waterproofing integrity.

January 1st, 2025

All visual examinations per SB 326 needs to be done by the particular date of Jan 1, 2025.

January 1, 2025 is not really the deadline for all the repairs to be done. If inspections are not completed by Jan 1, 2025, the state of California could impose a fine until conformity is achieved.

Waterproofing Elements

SB 326 demands waterproofing components be inspected on balconies. Waterproofing elements consist of numerous items. Waterproofing elements are flashings, sealants, Door pans, deck, coatings, outdoor patio waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing components are very important to inspect. Architectural failure begins with failed waterproofing components. Waterproofing components fail, and humidity passes through to the deck framework, triggering dried out decay. Waterproofing components are usually advised to be installed by a certified specialized organization which specializes in waterproofing elements.

Structural

Structural reliability is key to maintaining people safe on balconies. Structural members consist of support joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams along with other blocking. Structural dependability is compromised when unintentional water vapors passed throughout the balconies waterproofing system and saturate the architectural members. Without having sufficient air-flow these architectural members stay wet for a prolonged length of time. With the structural components retaining water, this weakens the timber and it can be unsafe. Without structural integrity the deck is unsafe for occupancy.

Balcony Law

In CA, SB 326 is referred to as the Deck law. The balcony law was made to always keep people of multi family associations, safe.

The deck law concentrates on condominium, associations, and apartment structures. The deck law was turned into a civil code section 5551 state law. The balcony law pertains itself to external raised components. The deck legislation or SB 326 was authored by senator Hill in the year 2018 after having a balcony collapse, in 2015, that led to deaths of college students.