Why You Need to Be Deck Certified

Now that summer is almost here you’ll be planning parties and get-togethers on your deck. But you need to make sure that deck can hold the number of people who will be partying on it. Homeowners and landlords alike should have their decks inspected to avoid injury and liability.

Why You Need to Be Deck Certified

5 injured in Howard County deck collapse

COLUMBIA, Md. (WUSA9) – Five people in Howard County were hospitalized after a deck collapsed. Officials say none of the people hurt have life threatening injuries. Howard County fire rescue says the deck collapse happened on Wind Rider Way. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.

A deck collapsed, injuring several people in Columbia, Md. lateTuesday night. Firefighters and paramedics responded to the collapse in the 6300 block of Wind Rider Way at 11:15 p.m., according to Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services (HCDFRS). Five people were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Fire officials say another person was evaluated on scene and later refused treatment.

Greeley balcony collapses, injuring several people
Three were taken to an area hospital

Several people were hurt when a balcony at an apartment complex collapsed in Greeley Monday night, but there were only minor injuries.

According to Sgt. Mike Heck of the Greeley Police Department, the collapsed happened at about 7 p.m. at a three-story apartment complex at 1126 26th Ave.

“An officer patrolling the area heard a loud crash and observed that a three-story building had one of its balconies collapse all the way to the ground level,” Heck said.

Two adults were on the third-story balcony, and several were on the second floor, including a 3-year-old girl. Three people were taken to a local hospital, 7News reported.

The cause of the collapse was not known but building inspectors were on scene investigating what happened. They are looking at the decks as the possible source of what caused the collapse and not the interior portion of the apartment complex.

Residents were not evacuated and have been allowed to remain in their apartments.

Homeowners should consider a professional deck inspection. “A professional inspector will thoroughly examine your deck, provide information on your deck’s capacity limits, identify any dangerous problem areas and give you some insight of what to keep your eye on in the future,” says Mike Beaudry, Executive Director of the North American Deck and Rail Association (NADRA).

“ASHI inspectors now have the educational resources through this first-of-its-kind collaboration with ASHI to utilize the NADRA Deck Evaluation Form and truly make a difference in deck safety and deck safety awareness for consumers across North America,” said Beaudry.

Source: Carlos Illescas, The Denver Post for the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)