The Accident Investigation Board announced on May 21, 2026 about an accident that occurred in Helsinki in September 2025, in which a person died after falling from an apartment building balcony through a cement-fiber panel in the balcony railing. Based on strength tests carried out by the Accident Investigation Board, cement-fiber balcony railing panels are not, in all cases, sufficiently safe to prevent falls.

Cement-fiber panels have been widely used in Finland as fall protection for balconies and terraces, particularly on apartment buildings built in the 1960s–1980s. However, their use is not limited to that period; panels may also have been installed during later renovation projects.

The building control of Janakkala municipality advises housing companies, other property owners and building occupants to determine whether cement-fiber panels have been used as fall protection on balconies or terraces, and to take the necessary measures to ensure their safety. If necessary, the condition and safety of the structures should be assessed with the help of an expert. It is the responsibility of the property owner to procure the necessary expert services to investigate the matter. The building control provides general guidance and advice on the issue.

The building control also recommends considering restricting or prohibiting the use of balconies and terraces until the safety of the fall protections has been confirmed. The building owner is responsible for the safety of the building and its safe use.

In projects under construction and in future projects, the developer, the responsible site manager and the structural designer must ensure the safety of balcony railing fall protections and, if necessary, promptly undertake corrective measures.

Going forward, the building control of Janakkala municipality requires that renovation permit applications concerning balconies include the proposed protective panel solutions when cement-fiber panels have been used as fall protection. In addition, site supervision during construction will pay attention to whether cement-fiber panels have been used on the building’s balconies, and additional clarifications will be requested if necessary. The procedure also applies to ongoing projects.

Julkisivuyhdistys has published a guide for housing companies on inspecting balcony structures (in Finnish).