Balconies can be the source of serious, and sometimes fatal, injury, due to falls from balconies or by being hit by objects that fall from balconies.
A balustrade is a row of small columns topped by a rail, generally along staircases and balconies. Faulty construction of the balustrade can lead to collapse or structural failure, particularly if there’s overloading, overcrowding, or deterioration.
Other factors that contribute to falls may include:
As a preventative measure, building managers should set clear rules and undertake regular compliance audits. These rules should be regularly reviewed to ensure they have kept pace with changes in regulations and within the complex.
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 sets out specific guidelines for when balustrades are required and how they must be constructed. Balconies for apartment buildings (Class 2 Building) are dealt with in NCC Volume 1, Section D2.16.
For example, a continuous balustrade or other barrier must be provided along the side of a balcony, deck or verandah “if the trafficable surface is one metre or more above the surface beneath”.
Some of the main requirements for barriers include:
The above requirements are subject to change depending on where the barrier is located. Please refer to the NCC 2019 for more detail on barrier requirements.
The NCC 2019 has requirements for wire balustrades that are significantly different to rigid balustrades. The code includes regulations for minimum wire tension, maximum allowable deflections, support post spacing and wire spacing for various wire diameters and wire lays. The maximum allowable wire spacing for a wire balustrade is 100 millimetres, but may vary depending on the factors mentioned above .
To reduce the risk of personal injury in relation to falls of people or objects from heights, management and other qualified persons should conduct an initial survey of the property including:
These issues should then be further assessed, prioritised and controlled. The following ongoing procedures should be implemented:
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/building-and-renovating/after-you-build-or-renovate/deck-and-balcony-safety
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050
https://www.nsw.gov.au/news/window-safety-locks-required-apartments
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/during-a-tenancy/health,-safety-and-security
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/balconies-decks-balustrades
https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/maintenance-modifications/decks-balconies
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