Sydney Balcony Collapse Sparks Safety Warning

The warning follows reports on Saturday night that five people had been taken to Westmead Hospital after a balcony collapsed in Sydney's north-west at Glenhaven where a first floor balcony collapsed into a backyard during a party.

Archicentre ACT & NSW State Manager Ian Agnew said anyone planning to hold a party or family function which will see a crowd of people occupying the balcony or deck should check that it is safe and not in danger of collapse.

"The dinner or party where people gather on the balcony for a drink or a barbeque are high risk activities".

"Many of these balconies or decks can be several metres off the ground heightening the danger."

Mr Agnew said often during pre-purchase housing inspections or specific deck checks, Archicentre Architects discover rotting timbers and rusty corroding steel fittings that could substantially weaken the deck's structure.

"In the last few years, balcony collapses in several states have resulted in a number of injuries and deaths with coastal properties in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings."

Mr Agnew said we urge everyone with a balcony or raised deck, whether it's timber, concrete or features steel supports, to check it out carefully for safety, including an inspection for rotting timbers, shaky hand rails and balustrades, rusting bolts and brackets, rust stains and cracking in concrete balconies.

"If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure to seek professional advice."

Archicentre has information available from the website on how to look out for a Balcony Collapse at www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries;
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Archicentre - Mobile: 0417 329 201