Early reports: water damage to blame for deadly collapse

Early reports: water damage to blame for deadly collapse

“It shouldn’t take a tragic situation to make this a priority,” Councilman Jesse Arreguin said.

Rotten wooden beams, caused by water damage, are said to be the reason behind last week’s deadly fourth-floor balcony collapse in California, according to initial reports.

Berkeley city’s Building and Safety Division issued a summary of initial findings from the investigation of the fatal balcony failure a week ago.

The inspectors also noted that joists underlying the concrete balcony were “extensively rotted” at the place where the structure broke off, flinging 13 young adults five stories down to the street. Six students – five from Ireland – died, as a result.

While inspectors didn’t concretely say the structure’s rot was the cause of the collapse, they are calling for more frequent inspections, as well as several changes in the local building code.

“In addition, the proposed regulations would institute regular maintenance inspections for all such spaces for future buildings as well as those units already built,” officials said in a statement released by city spokesman Matthai K. Chakko.

Building and Safety Division staff also confirmed that the Approved Plans complied with the applicable California Building Code requirements in effect at that time, and also that all state building code-mandated inspections were conducted.

On Monday, Councilman Jesse Arreguin added his own proposals: mandatory posting of weight capacity on balconies, disclosure of whether they are steel-reinforced and a requirement that all new balconies have steel reinforcement.

“It shouldn’t take a tragic situation to make this a priority,” Councilman Jesse Arreguin said.

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