Such a sad tragedy!

[SteveB]

The timber looks well rotten,

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...apse/28797145/

It is strange that such a structure used timber, not steel.

[willie wacker]

It is strange that such a structure used timber, not steel.

Very very strange indeed, maybe since it is a dry climate they thought they might get with timber
Ya you think steel should have been used , very sad .

[Best Before]

It is strange that such a structure used timber, not steel.

Looks a bit on the small side to take 13 people, judging by the balcony below which has 2 deck chairs on it.
A steel balcony would only be as strong as the anchors used to fix it to main structure. Most well designed balconies would have a pillar on the external corners bringing the loads down to the ground.

Regardless of the cause here it's a real tragedy R.I.P.

[warmcome]

There was a risk that one might have fallen from the balcony. It would have been creeking, but the
music would have masked these tells.

[Zoidberg]

Building regulations almost everywhere, certainly in the US, state that if a balcony is big enough to hold thirteen people then it has to be strong enough to hold thirteen people with a considerable safety margin.
But everything can fail. Probably corrosion in the reinforcing metalwork.

Terrible tragedy.

I heard this morning on Newstalk that the balcony should of easily held the load that was on it, in the US they use an average weight of 200lbs per person for all that stuff.

[Naughtynatalie]

I would never have thought wood was used for a balcony, not that I know that much about architecture!

I wonder how old the building is & was it a case of quick & cheap build for maximum profits during the boom!

[Zoidberg]

I would never have thought wood was used for a balcony, not that I know that much about architecture!

I wonder how old the building is & was it a case of quick & cheap build for maximum profits during the boom!

They use wood for everything in the US to keep costs down. The building is only 9 years old

[Sexy Sandy 69]

It's an awful tragedy, you go to a party to celebrate a birthday & several people end up dead, through no fault of their own. Such young people with their whole lives in front of them.

I feel deeply sorry for their families.

Sandy x

[Best Before]

I would never have thought wood was used for a balcony, not that I know that much about architecture!

I wonder how old the building is & was it a case of quick & cheap build for maximum profits during the boom!

You might be more surprised to learn that a lot of multistory buildings main structure elements are Timber and not concrete or steel.
No need to worry, it's perfectly safe once its designed properly.
I hope your right about it not being thrown up quick and cheep
I hate when there is a freak occurrences like this and every one start looking around for someone else to blame instead of takeing some personal responsibility.

[SteveB]

I would never have thought wood was used for a balcony, not that I know that much about architecture!

I wonder how old the building is & was it a case of quick & cheap build for maximum profits during the boom!

Built in 2006 according to reports.