Construction History Question?

mal_1

As an architect I got a light hearted query from someone; if in Ireland there has been any catastrophic construction failures in the same league as the 'Tacoma Narrows Bridge' or of a building completely collapsing.

I cant think of anything on that scale happening. I know we all know the Priory Hall & pyrite examples, and not belittling the impact that those have on the residents there, but the query is more on the spectacular incidents.

Any suggestions.

Thanks

sydthebeat

nothing i can think of....the fact we dont (or are not allowed to) push ourselves technologically is perhaps a testament to this.

the stardust fire is the worst example i can think of of where a building failed its occupants.

DOCARCH

There was also the gas explosion in a block of apartments on Raglan Road in Dublin in 1987 that caused a disproportionate collapse of a section of the block. 2 people died.

There was a call for a formalised set of Building Regulations after the Stardust, this event then helped really underpin the need for those regulations which finally came about in 1990.

sinnerboy

48 people killed in the Stardust nightclub Feb 14 1981.

I hope we never get more disastrous ( or close to ) that again.

mal_1

I thought immeadatly of stardust but didnt want to include it as ( my detail knowledge might not exact on this) I don't think it was a building or structure or design failure, but is associated with the use of the building ( locked escape doors) and possibly negligent or criminal human actions or behaviour.

sinnerboy

1. lack of fire alarm
2. storage room was not enclosed in fire resistant construction taken up through ceiling void and fire stopped to roof
3. ceiling void was continuous over a vast floor space i.e. no cavity barriers
4. lack of roof mounted smoke vents

are 4 defects I am aware of

Eye witness reports told of an initial awareness of a fire and a reasonably orderly evacuation. Then flashover - the entire suspended ceiling system ( lay in grid tiles ) burst into a continuous sheet of flame.

I lived minutes from this nightclub and frequented it in my youth.

There is a special corner in hell for whoever was responsible for locking exits shut but there were indeed technical design flaws which contributed.

mal_1

sinnerboy wrote: »

1. lack of fire alarm
2. storage room was not enclosed in fire resistant construction taken up through ceiling void and fire stopped to roof
3. ceiling void was continuous over a vast floor space i.e. no cavity barriers
4. lack of roof mounted smoke vents

are 4 defects I am aware of

Eye witness reports told of an initial awareness of a fire and a reasonably orderly evacuation. Then flashover - the entire suspended ceiling system ( lay in grid tiles ) burst into a continuous sheet of flame.

I lived minutes from this nightclub and frequented it in my youth.

There is a special corner in hell for whoever was responsible for locking exits shut but there were indeed technical design flaws which contributed.

Sinnerboy. Thanks on the detailing of the issues that led to that disaster.
But my original query is more to do with the original structural and construction methods of a building failing. It is most defiantly a historic question, and one where the examples may been the public lexicon. In Ireland the Stardust fills that space, and I suppose we never have been too brave structurally in this country and take are guidance from across the water or elsewhere.

I don't know the exact history of Stardust and whether it was originally build as a dancehall or was a converted or altered building, or was it a purpose built night club, and those defects as listed above were not included. Hence at its completion of its construction was it fit for purpose.
The other point would be that the fact we didn't have uniform building regs (i know we had Bye Laws) indicate that we had a legal and regulation deficiency, and in the absence of those robust minimum standards, as we continue to see the industry will operate to achieve the minimum required.

johnam

Can't find a proper link, but Carmodys hotel in Ennis collapsed (partially) in 1958 (Jan 15th) during an Auction and killed 8 people if I am not mistaken

Do-more

There was the Broadmeadow viaduct collapse also.

1865

There was the apartment block in the midlands with the basement that flooded - because it was built on a flood plain. As well as all the other buildings put on flood plains.

sydthebeat

where was this?