Accident in the Weirs?

[Legionnaire70]

Just had 5 ambulances go by our place In the Weirs. Anyone know what happened?

[wifi]

A deck collapsed with multiple PI

[webmaster]

Here's a brief story and picture from WMUR:

http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/6-taken-to-hospital-after-deck-collapses/-/9857858/21085710/-/e0wksu/-/index.html

[DickR]

There have been so many deck collapses throughout the country over the years that just a couple of years back the IRC (code governing residential construction) was amended to include prescriptive methods for deck attachment and bracing.

Too many decks are poorly attached to the house, some with ledger board simply nailed into the sill. Code now calls for attachment with lag screws of a certain size or through-bolted to the rim board, and with a certain maximum spacing. Code now also calls for inclusion of at least two devices to provide transfer of lateral loading to the interior floor structure. Unfortunately, most towns haven't adopted the most recent version of the IRC, but still go by 2006 or 2009.

Even if the deck structure has sound construction, too many haven't been flashed properly against intrusion of rainwater at the point of attachment to the house, resulting in sill rot over the years. Still others lack proper lateral bracing to keep the deck surface from swaying under heavy load.

News like this should be a wakeup call to everyone with a deck. Inspect it regularly.

[Heaven]

There is enough teeth in the NH State Building Code adopted in 2006 to required the construction you mentioned. Unfortunately most decks that are about to fall down were built prior to that date and/or by someone who doesn't know the requirements.

[SIKSUKR]

Wow. Looks like there was a lot more than just people on that deck. That would be one crowded deck with 12 people.

[Lakesrider]

12 people times an average of 180lbs each equals 2160 lbs. More than a 1969 VW Beetle. Roughly the same as a 1980 Dodge Omni. Plus a grille and furniture. Why would people have thought that many people could stand on a deck all at once? Around here you can't even use 4x4's for uprights anymore and anyone that does is using bad economics to build a deck. I see lots of decks put up with out cross braces or blocking, I built decks all through college and you should have seen some of the stuff we replaced. Yikes is all I can say. I hope people didn't get injured too badly. What a way to ruin your Summer party.:( (Oh and BTW having that grille on the porch under the roof is illegal as all hell.....Just sayin'.)

[XCR-700]

Ya that sounds like way too many people for a deck that size,,, :confused:

You could not get me out there with that many people on it,,, :(