CROSS Safety Report: Unsafe design of retrofit cantilever balconies

Allan Mann of the IStructE Safety, Health and Wellbeing Panel provides a short summary of some of the key safety considerations when working on an existing building.

This article addresses common defects and causes of failure of vertical cantilever structures. It aims to assist designers and contractors to assess reasons for defects and to avoid failures.

Part 1 of this article aims to highlight safety concerns for various types of cantilever structure in their design, construction, use and maintenance stages. It provides general guidance for designers, contractors and maintenance teams, and clients to avoid failure during these stages.