SB721 Services Around Granada Hills, CA

SB 326 Overview

The state of California has finalized into legislation a law that will call for organizations to do Balcony Inspections once every nine years. The Balcony Assessments will include Waterproofing elements and structural component examination. Deck Assessments have to be done by a qualified architect or architectural expert. Balcony inspections relate to structures which are timber based over six ft. in height and are equipped for foot visitors.

Why was SB 326 established in Granada Hills, CA?

SB 326 has been written as a way to detect dangers to occupants associated with declining architectural components in balconies. SB 326 says that multifamily associations with three or more dwellings need to be examined once every nine years. SB 326 only refers to condo associations. SB 326 has been put in place to safeguard against balcony collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 had been put in place because of the volume of deck collapses in the state of California, which in turn resulted in fatalities.

SB 721 Overview

SB 721 was put into law September of 2017. SB 721 concerns Balcony Inspections being done on condominium buildings. There is a broader range of who are able to conduct these inspections for SB 721. Building contractors, structural engineers, and architects are able to conduct Balcony Inspections for SB 721. Balconies have to be examined once every six yrs under SB 721. Only 15% for each outside elevated component should be examined under SB 721.

Exterior Elevated Elements

External elevated elements also called EEEs are what have to be inspected under a new state regulation - SB 326. Exterior elevated elements include hardwood based components above 6 feet in size that possess a load. External elevated elements include balconies, decks, pathways, staircases, landings, and cat walks. All railings and staircase connections can also be examined and deemed an external elevated element. Exterior elevated elements are often looked over using bore scopes, moisture content meters, and infra-red cameras. External elevated elements should be analyzed for structural integrity and waterproofing integrity.

January 1st, 2025

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

January 1, 2025 is not the due date for all repairs to be done. If inspections arn't completed by January 1, 2025, the state of California could enforce a fine until compliance is achieved.

Waterproofing Elements

SB 326 demands waterproofing elements be inspected on balconies. Waterproofing elements comprise of many different items. Waterproofing elements are flashings, sealants, Doorway pans, deck, surface finishes, outdoor patio waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing elements are very important to inspect. Architectural breakdown starts with failed waterproofing elements. Waterproofing components fail, and humidity moves to the deck structure, causing dry decay. Waterproofing elements are always suggested to be installed by a accredited specialized company which specializes in waterproofing elements.

Structural

Architectural integrity is vital to maintaining people safe on balconies. Structural components consist of support joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams along with other blocking. Structural reliability is affected when unintended water vapors transferred throughout the balconies waterproofing component and saturate the architectural components. Without having enough ventilation these architectural components keep damp for an extended period of time. From the architectural elements keeping water, this weakens the wood and it is unsafe. With out architectural reliability the balcony is unsafe for occupancy.

Balcony Law

In CA, SB 326 is called the Balcony law. The deck law was made to keep residents of multiple family organizations, safe.

The deck legislation targets condo, associations, and apartment buildings. The balcony law was changed into a civil code section 5551 state law. The deck legislation pertains itself to outside elevated elements. The deck legislation or SB 326 was written by senator Hill in the year 2018 after having a deck collapse, in 2015, that led to deaths of students.