SB326 Service Around Santa Barbara, CA

SB 326 Overview

The state of CA recently finalized into regulations a law that could call for associations to complete Deck Examinations once every nine years. The Deck Examinations will include Waterproofing features and architectural component examination. Deck Inspections needs to be done by an authorized architect or architectural expert. Deck assessments have to do with structures that are timber based over 6 ft. in height and are designed for foot traffic.

Why was SB 326 established in Santa Barbara, CA?

SB 326 has been written in order to identify hazards to people regarding failing structural elements in balconies. SB 326 says that multifamily associations with three or more dwellings have to be inspected once every nine years. SB 326 only pertains to condo associations. SB 326 has been set up to safeguard against deck collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 has been put in place mainly because of the quantity of balcony collapses in the state of Ca, that led to deaths.

SB 721 Overview

SB 721 was placed into legislation September of 2017. SB 721 is related to Deck Assessments being done on condo buildings. You will find a bigger array of who is able to perform these assessments for SB 721. Building contractors, architectural engineers, and architects can perform Deck Examinations for SB 721. Balconies need to be examined once every six yrs under SB 721. Only 15% of every exterior elevated component has to be examined under SB 721.

Exterior Elevated Elements

Exterior elevated elements often known as EEEs are what need to be examined within a new state regulation - SB 326. External elevated elements include hardwood based components above six ft in size that carry a load. Exterior elevated elements include balconies, decks, walkways, staircases, landings, and cat walks. All railings and staircase connections are also inspected and considered an exterior elevated element. External elevated elements are sometimes inspected using bore scopes, moisture content meters, and infra-red digital cameras. Exterior elevated elements have to be analyzed for structural integrity and waterproofing integrity.

January 1st, 2025

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

January 1, 2025 is not the due date for all repairs to get finished. If examinations arn't performed by Jan 1, 2025, the state of California could enforce a fine until compliance is satisfied.

Waterproofing Elements

SB 326 requires waterproofing elements be examined on balconies. Waterproofing components comprise of numerous items. Waterproofing components are flashings, sealants, Doorway pans, outdoor patios, surface finishes, deck waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing elements are very important to inspect. Architectural failure starts off with unsuccessful waterproofing elements. Waterproofing components fall short, and humidity passes right through to the deck structure, triggering dry decay. Waterproofing elements will almost always be recommended to get installed by a certified specialty business that are experts in waterproofing components.

Structural

Architectural reliability is key to trying to keep residents safe on balconies. Architectural members consist of support joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams and various blocking. Structural reliability is affected when unintentional water vapors transferred throughout the balconies waterproofing component and saturate the architectural members. Without having enough air flow these structural components continue to be damp for a extensive time frame. With the architectural elements retaining water, this weakens the wood and it is un-safe. Without having structural dependability the balcony is dangerous for occupancy.

Balcony Law

In the state of California, SB 326 is known as the Balcony legislation. The deck legislation was created to keep residents of multiple family associations, safe.

The balcony legislation targets condominium, associations, and apartment properties. The balcony law was changed into a civil code section 5551 state law. The deck legislation relates itself to exterior raised elements. The deck legislation or SB 326 was created by senator Hill in the year 2018 after having a balcony failure, in 2015, that ended in fatalities of students.