SB721 Service Near Ventura, CA

SB 326 Overview

The state of California recently signed into laws a law that will call for associations to complete Balcony Examinations once every nine years. The Balcony Examinations will include Waterproofing components and structural element assessment. Balcony Assessments must be done by a licensed 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 Ventura, CA?

SB 326 was created in order to identify dangers to residents regarding failing structural components in balconies. SB 326 claims that multifamily associations with 3 or more dwellings must be inspected once every nine years. SB 326 only is applicable to condominium organizations. SB 326 has been set up to guard against balcony collapses. SB 326 went into effect January 2020. SB 326 was put into place as a result of amount of balcony collapses in the state of Ca, which often ended in deaths.

SB 721 Overview

SB 721 was put into law September of 2017. SB 721 has to do with Balcony Assessments being carried out on condo buildings. There is a wider array of who are able to perform these examinations for SB 721. Contractors, structural engineers, and architects are able to perform Deck Assessments for SB 721. Balconies need to be checked out once every 6 yrs under SB 721. Only 15 Percent for each outside elevated element has to be inspected under SB 721.

Exterior Elevated Elements

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

January 1st, 2025

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

Jan 1, 2025 is not the deadline for repairs to be completed. If inspections are not done by Jan 1, 2025, the state of California could enforce a fine until compliance is met.

Waterproofing Elements

SB 326 needs waterproofing elements be examined on balconies. Waterproofing components include a number of things. Waterproofing components are flashings, sealants, Door pans, deck, coatings, deck waterproofing, post penetration sealing ect. Waterproofing components are necessary to inspect. Structural failure begins with failed waterproofing elements. Waterproofing elements fall short, and humidity moves right through to the deck framework, causing dried out rot. Waterproofing components will almost always be suggested to get installed from a accredited specialty business which specializes in waterproofing components.

Structural

Structural integrity is vital to keeping residents safe on balconies. Architectural members contain support joists, ledgers, sheeting, beams and other blocking. Architectural dependability is compromised when unintended water vapors transferred through the balconies waterproofing system and saturate the structural components. With out enough ventilation these architectural members continue to be wet for an extended period of time. With the architectural components retaining water, this weakens the wood and it is compromised. Without having architectural integrity the deck is hazardous for occupancy.

Balcony Law

In California, SB 326 is referred to as the Deck law. The deck legislation was made to continue to keep occupants of multi family organizations, secure.

The balcony law concentrates on condominium, associations, and apartment properties. The balcony law was converted into a civil code section 5551 state law. The balcony legislation relates itself to outside raised components. The deck legislation or SB 326 was authored by senator Hill in 2018 after a balcony collapse, in 2015, that ended in deaths of students.