Notice to property owners: the safety of balcony railings must be ensured

Notice to property owners: the safety of balcony railings must be ensured

According to recent strength tests carried out by the Accident Investigation Centre (Otkes), the fibre-reinforced cement panels widely used in the balustrades of apartment blocks may not meet the safety requirements for fall prevention. According to Otkes, the panel can fail even from a minor impact, in which case the structure will not prevent a person from falling from the balcony.

Otkes estimates that there are at least tens of thousands of similar balcony structures in use in Finland. The investigation was launched following a fatal balcony accident in Hietalahti, Helsinki, in the autumn of 2025.

Property owners, housing associations and those responsible for building maintenance must immediately check whether the balcony railings on their buildings are safe and comply with current regulations. Particular attention should be paid to fibre-reinforced cement boards, as well as to the fixings and overall strength of the railing structures.

If there is any doubt as to the safety of the structures, you must:

• commission an expert assessment of the condition and compliance of the balcony railings,
• restrict the use of balconies where necessary,
• take immediate action to repair or replace the equipment in order to eliminate the safety risk.

The building owner is responsible for ensuring that the building’s structures are safe for users. Any defects must be addressed proactively to prevent serious accidents.

Further information on Otkes’ investigations and safety recommendations will be published as the investigation progresses.

This content has been translated using AI