Construction mistakes may be cause of condo balcony collapse
by Brooks Jarosz
ABC 6
19 June 2017

A condominium balcony at the Falls at Hayden Run collapsed, injuring two and prompting 156 other decks to be designated at 'unsafe.' (WSYX/WTTE)

Investigators are closer to determining what caused a Columbus condominium balcony to collapse.

The City of Columbus Building Department made the initial determination that the deck that gave way at the Falls at Hayden Run Condominiums was not attached properly to the main structure and the approved specification may not have been followed, according to a building official.

In the day following the collapse several weeks ago, inspectors took swift action and determined 156 balconies of similar construction should be considered unsafe.

Visual inspections are ongoing and ABC 6 On Your Side Investigates just learned it was an attorney that alerted the building department to the crash.

That lawyer represents the father and daughter who were out on the deck when it fell. Neighbors said they’re both still recovering from their injuries.

The city said Lifestyle Communities, which manages the condominiums, has hired an engineering firm to follow up and check everything out.

Lifestyle Communities did not return requests for comment by ABC 6/FOX 28 as of late Monday afternoon.

Records show the condominiums were built in 2005 and 2006. The building department only keeps blueprints for four years, so it’s still unclear who’s at fault for any potential construction mistakes.

Inspectors, the city said, will be back on the property Tuesday continuing their work.
 
Condo balcony collapse prompts 150+ decks deemed 'unsafe'
ABC 6
by Brooks Jarosz

A condominium balcony broke free, fell and slammed into a car, injuring two people and it has prompted more than 150 other balconies to be considered unsafe.

Some condominium owners at the Falls at Hayden Run, a Lifestyle Community near Dublin, received a notice from the City of Columbus that explained it was unsafe to use the deck pending a structural evaluation.

Last week, the Columbus Division of Fire received an emergency call after a deck collapsed on a car along Mesa Falls Street. Neighbors said a man was visiting his daughter and they were on the deck when it failed. They were both rushed to the hospital with injuries.

City records show the condominiums were built in 2005 and 2006. The Columbus Building Department launched an investigation following the incident.

Karin Cash works as a construction professor at Columbus State Community College. She suspects it was a combination of a bad design and inadequate products that caused the collapse.

“What we have here is a failure of the ledger board to stay affixed to the building,” Cash said. “I’m used to seeing lag bolts, not nails, holding that ledger board.”

treated wood contains copper

Based on the tag of the treated wood, Cash said it contains copper, which was first introduced just before the condominiums were built. Over time, builders learned the chemical doesn’t react well with iron nails or fasteners.

“The chemical could very well be eating the fasteners,” Cash said. “Look at the corrosion on this nail. I would be very concerned.”

The nails were the only thing securing the collapsed deck to the main structure. The metal fasteners and wooden posts were tasked with holding the rest of the weight.

“That’s a little nerve racking,” condo owner Joseph King said. “I just went out and noticed some nails were separating on mine.”

The City of Columbus determined 156 balconies in the condo community had a similar design, including those with lag bolts, and deemed them all unsafe.
It’s not clear if any of the decks meet code or were built to specification because the city claims it no longer has the blueprints.

Despite repeat calls and requests to speak with someone from Lifestyle Communities, ABC 6/FOX 28 Investigates has yet to get a response about the incident, design, or plan for prevention.

The city said the company has hired a structural engineer to inspect and assess the balconies to prevent another collapse.

So far, the city building department has not expanded the scope of its investigation to other condo communities with the same builder or similar designs.

Anyone living with a balcony with a similar design is advised to stay off until it can be professional inspected by an engineer.


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