Are the balconies at OC a risk to toddlers?

[misty]

These aren't.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sDaRLZF9HqY

That video actually demonstrates just how possible it would have been for Madeleine to have opened the window herself & climbed out.

[slartibartfast]

That video actually demonstrates just how possible it would have been for Madeleine to have opened the window herself & climbed out.

Kids of that age are very resourceful.

[Robittybob1]

That video actually demonstrates just how possible it would have been for Madeleine to have opened the window herself & climbed out.

Pulling up the shutters might have been beyond her.

[misty]

Kids of that age are very resourceful.

The one in the video who not only pulled down the side of the cot but pushed it back up again....and not even 2 years old by the look of it.
I remember my daughter at about the same age used to go head-first over the child safety gate - an absolute nightmare.

[slartibartfast]

The one in the video who not only pulled down the side of the cot but pushed it back up again....and not even 2 years old by the look of it.
I remember my daughter at about the same age used to go head-first over the child safety gate - an absolute nightmare.

Yes, my daughter climbed over a sofa at the same age...

[Alice Purjorick]

No of course not.  I'm just showing the forum that it is well known how unsafe the design and construction the balustrades were compared to the standard building codes. Even a 4 year old could climb this one, see how much the clearance is between the top of the rail and the crutch.

Did we get a copy of the building codes and an engineering drawing of the balustrades then?
I must have missed that.

[Robittybob1]

Did we get a copy of the building codes and an engineering drawing of the balustrades then?
I must have missed that.

You don't need it the design faults are so self evident.  Any balustrade that allows a person to climb over it would be outside of the modern building codes.

[Robittybob1]

When I get to PDL maybe I could make enquiries as to whether the building met the requirements at the time of construction. 
A month or so back I looked at current codes and there needs to be a 1100 mm vertical non climbable element of the balustrade.
It clearly doesn't meet the current code for new construction. 

[Robittybob1]

So you have measured the height or had someone do it for you?
A link to code you mention would be good.
We remain in the realms of "in your opinion"

If you get a tape measure and measure the point on your own body that is 1100 mm from the floor you will find it is a lot more than mid thigh.

[mercury]

If you get a tape measure and measure the point on your own body that is 1100 mm from the floor you will find it is a lot more than mid thigh.

apartments are not built to protect children, thats not the designers jobs!
you want a child friendly and totally safe dwelling, hire legoland might be good

[Robittybob1]

apartments are not built to protect children, thats not the designers jobs!
you want a child friendly and totally safe dwelling, hire legoland might be good

Good buildings must protect the occupants.  There are building codes and OC apartments are suspect.  Whether they were built prior to the modern standards that is possible.

[Alice Purjorick]

If you get a tape measure and measure the point on your own body that is 1100 mm from the floor you will find it is a lot more than mid thigh.

You appear to be missing one very important point and it does not relate to how tall anybody is.
It relates to elevations of features. See if you can spot it. Unless you have measurements you are guessing.
Imagine you are at H & S hearing.
"Well Sir I believe the balustrades were without the code because on this photo taken from below you can see the man of unspecified height has the railings only half way up his thigh and if we measure the height half way up your thigh Sir we can see that is .............".
The response from Sir would likely start "Really Mr R. are you seriously suggesting................".

[Alice Purjorick]

Good buildings must protect the occupants.  There are building codes and OC apartments are suspect.  Whether they were built prior to the modern standards that is possible.

Presumably you have taken professional advice on this issue and can share from whom the advice came and the full findings?

[Robittybob1]

Presumably you have taken professional advice on this issue and can share from whom the advice came and the full findings?

Mrs Google! Many building codes required the similar outcome of 1100 mm non climbable element to the balustrade.  This needs to be thrashed out. 

[Robittybob1]

Presumably you have taken professional advice on this issue and can share from whom the advice came and the full findings?

Do you know anything relevant to the issue?
Did the balustrades meet the requirements?
Which code is this covered by?

So far I have the photo of the officer climbing what looks like a balustrade at OC and the whole structure is very climbable.  Once he stands on the concrete base the non-climbable section comes up to just above his knees.
It seems it could be very easily scaled by small children.