If you are the owner of a house, unit or other building with a balcony or deck— whether it is made from timber, metal concrete or other material—you should carry out regular inspections of the structure to help ensure its safety.

A deck, balcony and window safety guideline ( 537 KB) has been developed to help building owners, occupiers and managers carry out inspections on balustrades, decks and balconies in order to check their safety. It also contains useful information about safety issues associated with elevated floors and opening windows.

Deck and balcony safety

In recent years a number of deaths and serious injuries have occurred as a result of falls from decks, balconies and windows, or from the collapse of decks and balconies.

Inspecting decks and balconies

Decks and balconies should be carefully inspected for things like decaying timbers, unstable balustrades, corrosion, termite attack and warping or cracking.

Maintaining decks and balconies

Decks and balconies require regular maintenance to help ensure the structure is safe.