Report on Berkeley balconies imminent

A report on the inspection of thousands of buildings in Berkeley is to be published in the next fortnight, following the balcony collapse that claimed the lives of six Irish students in the Californian city last summer.

New building codes passed by the City of Berkeley last July stipulate that all “exterior elevated wood and metal decks, balconies, landings, stairway systems, guardrails, handrails, or any parts thereof in weather exposed areas” were to have been inspected within six months by designated professionals to ensure they are in safe condition, working order, and free of dry rot or deterioration.

That deadline passed two weeks ago, and a spokesperson for the City of Berkeley said it has sent thousands of letters to property owners about the new ordinances, and have received thousands of replies in kind.