With the warm weather setting in, Australians love to be outdoors. And it's a common sight to see a crowd packed around a barbecue on a balcony.
But recently there has been a spate of balcony collapses.
Nineteen people were injured during a Halloween party in Perth at the weekend.
Seven people attending a wake were injured when the deck on a house collapsed at Morayfield in Brisbane last month.
And a 48-year-old mother was killed last November when 27 people who fell about three metres when the balcony of the Queenslander home (pictured) collapsed.
It's important to check if your balcony is safe.
The Building Services Authority in Queensland urges all homeowners to consult a structural engineer if they have concerns about the structure or safety of their balcony.
General manager Ian Jennings recently said a safety check would give peace of mind and the small cost should be part of normal home maintenance.
Here are a few tips from Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects:
Check council records for proof of building approval.
Have your balcony inspected by a structural engineer or a specially-trained architect.
Timber balconies
Observe for any compression or deformation of the structural members.
Probe timber with a screwdriver. Decayed timber may feel soft and spongy.
Check connection points at the beams with a screwdriver for deterioration.
Make sure the timber balcony is properly fixed to the house or that the members run into the house.
Concrete Balconies
Look for signs of deflection. If the balcony leans, there is a problem.
Examine the underside. Rust stains on exposed steel reinforcing is dangerous.
Check handrails are not rotted, loose or unstable.
For a detailed checklist, click on the link:
http://www.archicentre.com.au/Balconytips.pdf
You can also visit the Archicentre website or phone 1300 13 45 13.
