City holds deck inspection workshop

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The city of Austin's Building Inspection Division took a proactive approach on Friday, providing tips for the public on how to inspect the structural integrity of an outdoor deck. Part of the workshop was a deck collapse demonstration.

Last year in Austin, two deck failures resulted in the injury of 33 people. Since 2007, there have been 651 reported injuries and four deaths in the U.S., according to city officials.

Deck safety tips include:

• Check your deck for loose connections, corrosion or cracks
• Check for corrosion of metal connectors, screws and nails
• Ensure your deck can carry the weight of objects and people placed on it, including the force of Mother Nature
• Create a path of connections that transfers load through its frame to the ground and support structures, such as your home
• A deck with a continuous load path will be better equipped to resist the forces that can weaken your deck
• Regularly maintain and inspect for loose nails and boards, and protect from debris, water and sun damage

The city's Building Inspection Division inspects decks with active building permits.

Third-party inspectors can inspect an older deck if a homeowner feels it needs an inspection. A list of such companies is available online.