Awning Repairs
As the property owner you are responsible for the structural adequacy of the building and any other structure attached. Property owners are legally liable for damage caused by their property not being properly maintained and Councils are enforcing the law in respect of awnings. Awnings should be regularly inspected as part
of normal building maintenance in any case.
Awnings are part of the buildings to which they are attached and are the responsibility of the owner of the building, even when an awning is located over a public footpath. The Roads Act 1993 clarifies in section 142(1) the responsibility for awnings over roads (including footpaths) by requiring that a person having a right to control the structure must maintain it in a satisfactory state of repair.
In the absence of regular maintenance or repair, it may pose a real risk to public safety. Following several deaths caused by collapsed awnings it is imperative that you engage a structural engineer to carry out a safety inspection of the awning.
ABOUT
ABOUT US
With over 40 years’ experience in construction, Inline Building & Construction Management Services is a licensed builder in NSW specialising in Remedial Building Works, Residential Renovations and Retail Fit Outs in Sydney and the Southern Highlands of NSW, we are specialists in delivering your project on time and on budget with minimal disruption to your business operations.
Awning Repairs Technical Details
Stage 1 Engineer inspection by A NER Registered Structural Engineer
Stage 2 Reporting and detailing of any rectification requirements.
Stage 3 Rectification Works carried out by Licensed Builder
Stage 4 Final inspection & Certification
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Inline Building will organise all the stages listed above. We will arrange a NER registered structural engineer to inspect your awning and structures required for its support. Where the awning has a support system that cannot be readily inspected, parts of the awning will be removed so that an adequate inspection can be completed, and without risk to the inspector or members of the public.
Following the inspection, the following will be provided:
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A written report detailing the structural integrity of the awning, and building elements required to support these structures.
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The adequacy of the awning stormwater drainage system.
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The date of the inspection.
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Confirmation that you have considered information contained within Practise Note No. 18 Inspection and Assessment of Existing Tied Awnings dated July 2008.
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If it is determined that the awning and building elements required to support the structures are structurally sound, fit for purpose and are adequate for the next five (5) year period structural certification will be provided.
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If it is determined that the awning and building elements are not structurally sound the engineer will provide a report detailing scope of works to rectify the structural integrity of the awning and building elements.
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Inline Building will provide you with a quotation to carry our rectification works recommended by the structural engineer, to ensure the structural adequacy of the awning and support structures.
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Common Rectification Works:
Tie Rod, Anchor Plates & Masonry Tie Replacement
The tie-rods being anchored at the front masonry wall usually deteriorate over time corrosion of the tie-rods and/or corrosion around the anchor plates and/or corrosion of masonry ties is often the main issue. Awnings close to salt-laden spray will be more liable to
corrosion than those in other locations.
Awnings that are part of a “row” where tie-rods may support two adjacent awnings to adjacent premises may be susceptible to adverse loading should one awning on one side fail
Stormwater Drainage Replacement
In heavy rain or hail , gutters may not be able to drain water fully and ponding may occur (not all awnings will have an overflow system for the gutters). Hail may also collect on the
Awning.
Corrosion Treatment and Protection of Steel Members
Corrosion removal and protection system to be devised.
Reinforcement of Awnings to Increase Loading -
AS/NZS1170 Part 1(2002 edition) “Permanent, imposed and other actions” classifies street awnings
as R1 and in Table 3.2 specifies the following reference values for roof live load actions : -
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Awnings accessible from adjacent windows, roofs or balconies -- a uniformly
distributed action of 1.5 kPa and a concentrated action of 1.8 kN
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Awnings accessible only from ground level – a uniformly distributed action of 1.0 kPa and a concentrated action of 1.8 kN.