Balcony Inspections

Did you know?

 

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation oversees the mandatory inspection of balconies, stairs, decks, and railings that are accessible to the public. These inspections must be conducted every three years, and Form HR-7020 must be submitted. A balcony is defined as any structure that is more than 17 feet above ground level. Decks at ground level or near ground level, which are no more than three feet high, are exempt from this inspection. However, this exemption does not release the owner from potential legal action in the event of a collapse. Stairs and railings, on the other hand, do require inspection. 

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The leading cause of physical injuries related to these building components is railing failure or collapse. The second most common cause of injury is the structural failure of the deck ledger board due to improper construction, fastening, wood rot, or metal deterioration from rust. Overloading the live load capacity of the structure (having too many people) is the third leading cause of injury. Rental properties, hotels, motels, or any business that provides an above-ground deck to its patrons should take this inspection requirement seriously. If you own or operate such a business or are considering acquiring one, it is highly recommended to have 'Tottwood Inspectors' evaluate these critical building components."

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The 2018 Florida Statues

509.2112 Public lodging establishments three stories or more in height: Inspection Rules.

The Division of Hotels and  Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is  directed to provide rules to require that:

(1) Every public lodging establishment that is three stories or more in height in the state file a  certificate stating that any and all balconies, platforms, stairways,  and railways have been inspected by a person competent to conduct such inspections and are safe, secure, and free of defects.

(2) The information required under subsection (1) be filed commencing January 1, 1991, and every 3 years thereafter, with the Division of Hotels and Restaurants and the applicable county or municipal authority responsible for building and zoning permits.

(3) If a public lodging establishment that is three or more stories in height fails to file the information required in subsection (1), the Division of Hotels and Restaurants shall impose administrative sanctions pursuant to s. 509.261.

 

Balcony Inspection.

(a) As provided in Section 509.2112,  F.S., every public lodging establishment which is 3 or more stories in height must submit to the division a certificate stating that any and all balconies, platforms, stairways, and railways have been inspected by a person who, through education and experience, is competent to inspect multi-story buildings and found by such person to be safe, secure, and free of defects. The term “balcony” is defined as a landing or porch that is accessible to or used by the public and shall include those portions of a building that are unenclosed, except by a railing,  guardrail system, balustrade, or parapet. It shall also include those portions of a building that are enclosed by screening or other non-permanent building material.

(b) It is the responsibility of the operator to verify the facts and credentials establishing the competency of the multi-story balcony inspector. Such verification shall be clearly stated on the applicable form.