Deck Failure Stats 2

[phamENG]

Anybody have any good sources for deck failure statistics? I'm meeting with a developer I've been working with for the past year later this week along with his "deck guy" who has been causing nothing but problems - of course he has accused me of picking on him and I'm the one causing the problems. These things look like not quite passable DIY jobs - guardrails connected with a few screws (or toe nails!), stair connections questionable at best, no lateral support, etc.

I'm going to have the code and can point to all the things that are wrong, but I'm anticipating a lot of push back and the typical "we've always done it this way" and "the city inspectors don't call us out on this" so I want to have something that at least the developer will understand. My gut feel is that the vast majority of structural failure related injuries occur on decks and balconies, but I don't have any coherent stats on it.

Thanks.

 

[RWW0002]

@ KootK. I have thought about suggesting something similar to your load-testing statement in the past specifically in regards to deck handrails. Something like the following:

How about we mock-up your rail detail/attachment sideways, with the rail build horizontal, and you stand out on the far end and jump up and down.. I figure a 250# contractor jumping on the end is roughly equivalent to rail loads + factors of safety.

Most would likely fare something like this.. possibly with the contractor lying on the ground.