SB326 Services Around Ventura, CA
SB 326 Overview
The state of California recently finalized into regulations a law that could require organizations to perform Deck Examinations once every nine years. The Deck Examinations will consist of Waterproofing components and structural component assessment. Deck Inspections have to be done by an authorized architect or structural expert. Deck examinations relate to structures that happen to be hardwood based over 6 feet in height and are equipped for foot traffic.
Why was SB 326 established in Ventura, CA?
SB 326 has been created as a way to discover dangers to residents pertaining to faltering structural elements in balconies. SB 326 states that multifamily organizations with 3 or more dwellings need to be examined once every nine years. SB 326 only pertains to condominium associations. SB 326 has been set up to safeguard against deck collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 was put into place because of the amount of balcony 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 involves Balcony Examinations being carried out on apartment buildings. There is a broader array of who are able to carry out these examinations for SB 721. Building contractors, structural engineers, and architects can perform Balcony Inspections for SB 721. Balconies need to be checked out once every six yrs under SB 721. Only 15% of every outside elevated component has to be inspected under SB 721.
Exterior Elevated Elements
Exterior elevated elements also referred to as EEEs are what need to be inspected within a new state regulation - SB 326. Exterior elevated elements consist of wooden based components above 6 ft. in height that have a load. External elevated elements include balconies, decks, walkways, staircases, landings, and cat walks. All railings and staircase contacts may also be looked over and considered an external elevated element. Exterior elevated elements are sometimes examined using bore scopes, moisture content meters, and infrared digital cameras. Exterior elevated elements should be looked at for structural reliability and waterproofing integrity.
January 1st, 2025
All visual assessments per SB 326 needs to be completed by the date of January 1, 2025.
Jan 1, 2025 is not really the deadline for repairs to get finished. If inspections are not completed by January 1, 2025, California could demand a fine until compliance is met.
Waterproofing Elements
SB 326 needs waterproofing elements be examined on balconies. Waterproofing components include numerous things. Waterproofing components are flashings, sealants, Doorway pans, outdoor patios, coatings, outdoor patio waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing elements are very important to inspect. Architectural breakdown begins with failed waterproofing elements. Waterproofing components fall short, and moisture passes through to the deck framework, leading to dried out rot. Waterproofing components will almost always be encouraged to get installed from a licensed specialty business which specializes in waterproofing elements.
Structural
Structural integrity is crucial to keeping residents safe on balconies. Architectural components consist of joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams and other blocking. Structural reliability is jeopardized when unintentional water vapors transferred through the balconies waterproofing component and saturate the architectural components. Without adequate ventilation these structural components stay wet for a extensive time period. With the architectural components retaining water, this weakens the wood and it is un-safe. Without structural dependability the balcony is unsafe for occupancy.
Balcony Law
In California, SB 326 is known as the Deck legislation. The deck legislation was made to keep people of multi family organizations, safe.
The deck law is focused on condominium, associations, and apartment structures. The balcony law was changed into a civil code section 5551 state law. The balcony legislation pertains itself to external elevated components. The deck law or SB 326 was written by senator Hill in the year 2018 following a deck collapse, in 2015, that ended in fatalities of college students.