County Inspectors Concerned About Deck Safety, Offering Free Inspections In May

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA – The Chesterfield County Building Inspection Department has joined with the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association in declaring May as Deck Safety Awareness Month. Though rare, deck failures can have serious consequences. Since 2000, 30 or more people have died in the U.S. as the result of deck collapses, according to the North American Deck and Railing Association. Many more have been seriously injured. “Deck failures can be avoided by assuring decks are inspected and well-maintained,” said Bill Dupler, director of the Chesterfield County Building Inspection Department. “We discover quite a number of structural problems when we inspect decks, particularly those built by the less-experienced.” Dupler’s concerns are shared by building officials throughout Virginia, and that’s why many localities across the state will be offering deck inspections free of charge for homeowners during May. In Chesterfield County, the deck inspections will be done by building inspectors and can be scheduled by calling the Building Inspection Department at (804) 748-1779. “If we find a problem, we’ll offer advice about how to fix it, and if there’s a structural defect that could cause a failure, we’ll guide the homeowner to secure the needed repair permit,” Dupler said, adding that minor repairs don’t require permits. Many people spend lots of time on their decks or porches in the summer and fall, making spring a good time to ensure decks are safe for the coming seasons. Information about what is required to build a deck is available online at chesterfield.gov (click on County Departments, then Building Inspection).

April 15, 2009; 8:00 PM • by Scott

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA – The Chesterfield County Building Inspection Department has joined with the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association in declaring May as Deck Safety Awareness Month.

Though rare, deck failures can have serious consequences. Since 2000, 30 or more people have died in the U.S. as the result of deck collapses, according to the North American Deck and Railing Association. Many more have been seriously injured.

“Deck failures can be avoided by assuring decks are inspected and well-maintained,” said Bill Dupler, director of the Chesterfield County Building Inspection Department. “We discover quite a number of structural problems when we inspect decks, particularly those built by the less-experienced.”

Dupler’s concerns are shared by building officials throughout Virginia, and that’s why many localities across the state will be offering deck inspections free of charge for homeowners during May. In Chesterfield County, the deck inspections will be done by building inspectors and can be scheduled by calling the Building Inspection Department at (804) 748-1779.

“If we find a problem, we’ll offer advice about how to fix it, and if there’s a structural defect that could cause a failure, we’ll guide the homeowner to secure the needed repair permit,” Dupler said, adding that minor repairs don’t require permits.

Many people spend lots of time on their decks or porches in the summer and fall, making spring a good time to ensure decks are safe for the coming seasons.
Information about what is required to build a deck is available online at chesterfield.gov (click on County Departments, then Building Inspection).

April 15, 2009 8:00 PM 0