If your community has any elevated exterior elements, you are probably well into your SB 326 inspections. This is the Senate Bill (now become law) that requires inspection of elevated, load-bearing structures supported primarily by wood.

On that note, an item that has been on the radar of underwriters for a while now is the spacing between railings on balconies and stairs, as well as the height of those elements. While they may not initially be part of your inspection process, I strongly recommend that you include them.

To prevent things (tiny humans, plants, pots, etc.) from falling through the railings, the spacing should be less than four inches. While that is part of the building code now, it wasn’t always that way and many communities have wider spacing. The height of railings on stairways, elevated walkways and balconies is also of concern, and should be at least 42 inches.

A quick look at Google Street View or some real estate websites gives underwriters an easy way to check that spacing. I know because they are constantly sending me screenshots of their findings. If any of the online images are outdated by updates you have completed, you can gather current pictures to disprove any inaccurate information.

Since many of you are already making some alterations to these elevated elements as part of the SB 326 inspection process, it is the perfect time to address the spacing and height issues as well. Many contractors are aware of the insurance concerns and will include these modifications in their specifications. Even if you are not doing your SB 326 inspections right now, you still need to address the spacing and height issues if they exist in your community. We have seen some creative solutions, including temporary solutions, so reach out if you need ideas!

And before you ask, no. Making these modifications will not get you a discount on your insurance. They will, however, make your community more able to GET insurance. Rather than receiving an automatic decline from a carrier, you will get consideration. They will also make your community safer for your membership, which is more important than any discount.

Terri Guest, CIRMS, CMCA, (CA License #0F92313) is the Director of Client Experience and Education for Berg Insurance Agency in partnership with LaBarre/Oksnee. She can be reached at terri@berginsurance.com