flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Codes and Standards

Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Regulations call for three-year inspections, new construction standards


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 16, 2015
Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse

Photo: Berkeley City Hall. Almonroth, Wikimedia Commons.

Apartment building balconies in Berkeley, Calif., will be subject to inspections every three years under new regulations adopted following a deadly collapse.

The city council also adopted a measure to require new balconies to be made of corrosion-resistant material and be ventilated to prevent a buildup of moisture.

Six students were killed and seven others were hospitalized when the apartment balcony collapsed during a birthday party in June.

Inspectors said the balcony was supported by wooden beams that rotted from water damage. Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the collapse.

Related Stories

| Oct 24, 2014

Seattle's Bullitt Center influencing codes and public policy on sustainability

The Bullitt Center in Seattle, which some say is the world's most efficient office building is not only influencing how other structures are built, it is contributing to revisions of codes and public policy.

| Oct 16, 2014

U.S. military concerned about climate change putting bases at risk from floods

Among the challenges the armed forces may face is rising sea levels that could put Navy docks and other installations under water in places like Norfolk, Va., Honolulu, and other coastal locations.

| Oct 16, 2014

Fannie Mae releases white paper on energy performance of multifamily buildings

The least energy efficient multifamily property may be spending $165,000 more in annual energy costs than a similar property operating the most efficiently, according to a new white paper released by Fannie Mae.

| Oct 16, 2014

Energy Department sets green building standards for federal agencies

LEED Silver may be used, and in some instances, the Green Globes program may be substituted, according to a new regulation by the U.S. Department of Energy.

| Oct 16, 2014

New York City’s climate plan includes tripling of solar energy

New York City’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 includes tripling the amount of solar power generated from city-owned buildings.

| Oct 15, 2014

Drones may soon assist code inspectors for construction in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Labour announced that they will start using drones to help inspectors record when construction sites are breaking laws.

| Oct 9, 2014

California authorizes increased use of design-build on state projects

Under the updated law, the Department of General Services and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may use design-build on projects in excess of $1 million. 

| Oct 9, 2014

New York City releases guide for retrofitting buildings against floods

Part of the city’s response to widespread flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the manual offers retrofitting strategies that will enable property owners to reduce the risk of damage and disruption from coastal flooding.

| Oct 9, 2014

Seattle puts restrictions on micro apartments

The Seattle City Council passed new rules that new studio apartments in the city must measure at least 220 sf and contain at least two sinks.

| Oct 9, 2014

Cities get creative with stormwater management

Cities around the world are crafting stormwater management policies that include natural and manmade methods to store and absorb runoff to reduce flooding.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021