Dangerous Buildings

Dangerous Buildings


Minimum Standards for Securing Abandoned or Damaged Buildings

The purpose of this form is to provide minimum standards for securing abandoned or damaged buildings.

The Chief Building Official may order, or property owner may choose, to vacate a building because the building cannot be repaired or rehabilitated for an extended period of time. In either case, measures must be taken to prevent the building and property from becoming a public nuisance. If the building is so damaged, dilapidated or partially demolished as to prevent the ability to safely board the building, the property may be fenced. If site conditions prohibit the ability to secure a property by fencing, the building may need to be demolished.

Note: A building permit is required to verify correct boarding and monitor the structure once secured.
Call the Building Services Department for permit at 432.837.3281

The following requirements shall be followed when securing a building by boarding the doors and window.

 Windows:

a)       Structural wood panels shall be cut to fit the window opening neatly or shall be cut to provide an equal overlap at the perimeter of the window.

b)      Window shall be opened to allow carriage bolt to pass through the window or the window glazing shall be removed and stored. The 2 by 4 boarding framing material shall be cut 8 inches wider than the window opening approximately 6 inches from the top and bottom of the window opening. The framing and boarding shall be installed and secured.

c)       Vent holes shall be cut into the structural wood panels and screened.

Doors:

a)       Structural wood panels shall be cut to fit the door neatly or shall be cut to provide an equal overlap at the perimeter of the door.

b)      The entry door structural wood panel shall be fitted to the door casing with a minimum 1/8-inch clearance on all sides. The structural wood panel shall be double hinged from the inside with a hasp and padlock for securing. The installation shall be such that all exposed bolts cannot be removed. The installation shall be non-interfering with the building door and should open and close freely from other obstructions. Any floors above the first story that are rendered inaccessible need not be secured. All work shall be done in a neat and workman like fashion.

Boarding Materials:

a)       Sheet material shall be ½ inch nominal structural wood panels (plywood or OSB) except that one entry door into building shall be provided with a ¾ inch nominal structural wood panel.

b)      Framing material shall be nominal 2 by 4 solid sawn lumber.

c)       Fasteners shall be a 3/8-inch diameter carriage or lag bolts of such a length as required to penetrate the assembly to appropriately secure the wood panel

d)      Vent holes shall be cut into the structural wood panels and screened.

e)       Structural wood panels should be painted a neutral color. 

  1. The following requirements shall be followed when securing a building by fencing.

a)       Fencing shall consist of metal chain link fence 6 feet in height. The fence shall be installed to withstand a 50-pound lateral force applied to the top of the fence.

b)      The fence shall completely encircle the property and not be directly attached to the structure as to provide a climbable surface for accessing the structures upper floor or roof.