The California Building Standards Commission recently approved emergency regulations enhancing the California Building Code (CBC) balcony and walking surface construction requirements.
The new provisions, which are similar balcony code change proposals recently approved for publication in the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and Existing Building Code (IEBC), went into effect on Jan. 30. They apply to multifamily residential, hotels, motels, state-owned buildings, and public schools in California.
The new regulations are consistent with ASCE-7 design loads, and require additional ventilation, detailing, and inspection for exterior balconies and elevated walkways exposed to the weather.
A Building Standards Commission Info-Bulletin is available at:
https://www.documents.dgs.ca.g
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