Downbeach residents watching closely. Greater scrutiny coming for high-rise condos and multifamily properties. Are they safe?
Do these properties have structural integrity? What about the balconies? Concrete spalling? Exposed rebar?
New safety legislation is now being considered. Proposed bill originally prompted by the 2021 condo collapse in Florida that killed 12.
Last year, the 34-story Ocean Club Condos on the Atlantic City Boardwalk restricted use of balconies after engineering consultants discovered loose and cracking concrete along with potentially unsafe railings.
The recent Sea Isle City balcony collapse happened even though the Spinnaker high-rise passed an April 2022 NJ State Bureau of Housing Inspection with no open violations. Read more at Press of Atlantic City.
Under the new bill, inspectors would assess building’s strength within the Uniform Construction Code.
- Structure safety
- Deeper building inspections
- More frequent inspections
- Widen focus of inspections under NJ Uniform Construction Code.
Under consideration: Require certain covered buildings and plans be inspected and reviewed by a structural inspector, during the buildings’ pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases.
Other required inspections: Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, Bureau of Housing Inspection, Department of Community Affairs, local code enforcement.
“This bill would strengthen State standards, requiring in-depth inspections of buildings before, during, and after construction. By taking action to make certain that State construction codes and processes are enforced and adhered to, we can prevent tragedies – like the one just last year in Florida – from affecting New Jersey residents.”
Under current law, the NJ DCA, Department of Community Affairs, conducts some inspections on a cyclical basis. Inspections only focus on maintenance issues like heating, infestation and lead content. These cyclical inspections are not required to be conducted by an engineer or other expert. Read more.
“What starts as a hairline crack, can, over time, become a serious structural issue if not addressed in a timely manner,” said Senator Greenstein.
View Latest Bill Text https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/S3500/3014_U1.HTM