California SB721 and California SB326 are two bills that were signed into law in California, with the aim of improving the safety and security of multi-family dwellings. These bills have significant implications for commercial developers, builders, and contractors. In this overview, we will provide an in-depth explanation of both bills, and what it means for having vents that are easily accessible for inspection.
California SB721
SB721 is also known as the “Balcony Inspection Bill.” This bill was introduced in response to the tragic 2015 balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, which resulted in the death of six people and serious injuries to seven others. The bill mandates the inspection of all exterior elevated elements of a multi-family residential building, including balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways, that are more than six feet above the ground.
Under the bill, building owners are required to have a qualified inspector conduct the inspection of the exterior elevated elements of the building. The inspector must be licensed as an architect, civil or structural engineer, or building contractor with at least five years of experience. The inspection must be conducted every six years, and building owners are required to notify tenants of the inspection schedule.
The bill also requires building owners to make necessary repairs to any exterior elevated elements that are found to be deficient during the inspection. Building owners are required to make the repairs within 90 days of receiving the inspection report, or within a shorter period of time if the inspector deems it necessary. If the building owner fails to make the necessary repairs, they may be subject to civil penalties and fines.
Implications for Commercial Developers
SB721 has significant implications for commercial developers who build multi-family residential buildings in California. Building owners are now required to conduct regular inspections of all exterior elevated elements of the building, which means that developers must ensure that the building design allows for easy inspection of these elements.
Developers must ensure that there is adequate access to exterior elevated elements, such as balconies and decks, to allow for inspections to be conducted safely and efficiently. Developers must also ensure that the building design takes into account the materials used in the construction of exterior elevated elements, as certain materials may be more prone to deterioration or damage over time.
Implications for Builders and Contractors
SB721 also has significant implications for builders and contractors who are responsible for constructing the exterior elevated elements of multi-family residential buildings. Builders and contractors must ensure that the construction of these elements meets the highest safety standards, and that the materials used are durable and able to withstand the elements over time.
Builders and contractors must also ensure that the construction of exterior elevated elements allows for easy inspection, as required under SB721. This means that builders and contractors must work closely with architects and engineers to ensure that the design of these elements takes into account the need for regular inspection.
California SB326
SB326 is also sometimes referred to by the “Balcony and Deck Inspection Bill.” This bill was introduced in response to the same balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, that led to the introduction of SB721. The bill mandates the inspection of all exterior elevated elements of a multi-family residential building, including balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways, that are more than six feet above the ground.
Under the bill, building owners are required to ensure that all balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways that are more than six feet above the ground have a waterproofing system that has been inspected by a licensed inspector. The inspection must be conducted every nine years, and building owners are required to notify tenants of the inspection schedule.
The bill also requires building owners to make necessary repairs to any exterior elevated elements that are found to be deficient during the inspection. Building owners are required to make the repairs within 120 days of receiving the inspection report, or within period of time if the inspector deems it necessary. If the building owner fails to make the necessary repairs, they may be subject to civil penalties and fines.
Implications for Commercial Developers
SB326 has significant implications for commercial developers who build multi-family residential buildings in California. Building owners are now required to ensure that all exterior elevated elements, including balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways, have a waterproofing system that has been inspected by a licensed inspector.
This means that developers must ensure that the building design allows for the installation of a waterproofing system that can be easily inspected. Developers must also ensure that the materials used in the construction of these elements are durable and able to withstand the elements over time.
Implications for Builders and Contractors
SB326 also has significant implications for builders and contractors who are responsible for constructing the exterior elevated elements of multi-family residential buildings. Builders and contractors must ensure that the construction of these elements includes a waterproofing system that meets the highest standards of quality and durability. Builders and contractors must also work closely with licensed inspectors to ensure that the waterproofing system is installed correctly and is able to be easily inspected as required under SB326. Additionally, builders and contractors must ensure that the materials used in the construction of these elements are able to support the weight of the waterproofing system and are resistant to deterioration over time.Implications for Vents
Both SB721 and SB326 have implications for the installation and accessibility of vents in multi-family residential buildings. The bills require that all exterior elevated elements, including balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways, be inspected regularly to ensure their safety and security. This includes the inspection of vents that are used for ventilation in the building.
In order to comply with the requirements of SB721 and SB326, building owners must ensure that vents are easily accessible for inspection. This means that vents must be located in areas that can be easily reached by inspectors, and that the design of the vents must allow for easy inspection.
Builders and contractors must work closely with architects and engineers to ensure that the design of the building takes into account the need for regular inspection of vents. This includes ensuring that vents are installed in locations that are easily accessible, and that the design of the vents allows for easy inspection.
Conclusion
California SB721 and SB326 are two bills that have significant implications for commercial developers, builders, and contractors who build multi-family residential buildings in California. These bills aim to improve the safety and security of these buildings by mandating regular inspections of all exterior elevated elements, including balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways.
Builders and contractors must ensure that the construction of these elements meets the highest safety standards, and that the materials used are durable and able to withstand the elements over time. Additionally, developers must ensure that the building design allows for easy inspection of all exterior elevated elements, including vents that are used for ventilation in the building.
Overall, compliance with these bills is essential for the safety and security of multi-family residential buildings in California. By working closely with licensed inspectors, builders and contractors can ensure that their construction projects meet the highest safety standards and comply with the requirements of SB721 and SB326.