Ministry of the Environment requests municipalities to contact those who have undertaken construction projects to ensure that balcony railings comply with requirements
Today, the Ministry of the Environment informed the Finnish Supervisory Agency and, together with the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the municipal building control authorities about the accident in Helsinki in September 2025 and the progress of the investigations. Based on the tests, the Safety Investigation Authority issued a press release and an accident threat notification on 21 May 2026 concerning fibre cement boards used in balcony railings.
The Ministry recommends that those who have undertaken construction projects ensure that the railing structures, including the fibre cement board structures, used in the protective parts of the railing comply with the requirements in ongoing construction projects that are subject to a permit. The Finnish Supervisory Agency is responsible for informing the municipalities about this.
More information on possible actions and recommendations after safety investigation has been completed
According to the press release of the Safety Investigation Authority, the safety investigation is expected to be completed in autumn 2026. Balcony railings with fibre cement board structures should be used with caution. The authorities will provide information on possible actions and recommendations concerning existing buildings when the safety investigation has been completed.
According to the Construction Act (751/2023), the building and its surroundings must be kept in such a condition that it meets the requirements of health, safety and fitness for use at all times. The maintenance of the building is the responsibility its owner. The owners of buildings, including housing companies, can commission an expert to explore the situation in terms of their buildings. General advice is available from the relevant municipal building control authority.
- The Safety Investigation Authority's press release on the accident where a person died that took place in September 2025 (turvallisuustutkinta.fi)
- The press release of the Safety Investigation Authority refers to the temporary guidelines and checklist concerning balcony railings with fibre cement boards published by the Facade Association – JSY ry (in Finnish, julkisivuyhdistys.fi)
Requirements concerning railing structures
Provisions concerning railings and their structures are laid down in the Construction Act (751/2023) and decrees of the Ministry of the Environment issued under it.
According to the Act, those undertaking a construction project must ensure that the intended use of the building is accounted for in its design and construction in such a way that its structures are strong and stable, suitable for the conditions on the construction site and durable enough to last throughout the planned service life of the building. The planning and design of load-bearing structures must be based on the principles of structural mechanics and generally accepted design principles, or on reliable test results or other available data.
Construction products that are suitable for the strength and stability of the structures must be used in the construction of a building. The Decree of the Ministry of the Environment on the Safety of Use of Buildings (1007/2017) lays down provisions on the general requirements concerning buildings and on the height and protective part of the railing. The railing must be safe and it must sustain the loads imposed on it during the whole service life of the structure.
- Construction Act (in Finnish, Finlex)
- Decree of the Ministry of the Environment on Load-bearing Structures (in Finnish, Finlex)
- Decree of the Ministry of the Environment on the Safety of Use of Buildings (in Finnish, Finlex)
Municipalities responsible for official control of construction
The municipal building control authority has a duty to, in the public interest, supervise construction activities referred to in this Act and, for its part, ensure compliance with the relevant legislation in construction. It is also the duty of the municipal building control authority to provide general guidance and advice for construction as required in the municipality.
Besides the reviews, the building control authority may order that other inspections be conducted to supervise compliance with permit regulations, designs, or provisions and regulations concerning construction. The building control authority may give orders concerning inspections when issuing a permit for construction at the kick-off meeting or, for a specific reason, while the construction is in progress.
When processing a permit application or when construction work is in progress, the building control authority may require that the party undertaking the construction project obtain the opinion of an independent and competent expert on whether a planned solution or the construction meet the requirements set for it.
Inquiries
Jyrki Kauppinen
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Head of the Buildings and Construction Unit
tel. +358 295 250 122
[email protected]
Guidance of building control
Tomi Marjamäki
Senior Specialist
tel. +358 295 250 027
[email protected]
Safety of use of buildings and strength and stability of structures
Katariina Kevarinmäki
Senior Specialist
tel. +358 295 250 292
[email protected]