Greater attention to buildings’ structural integrity after Surfside Tower collapse

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Since the recent collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida, the country has seen greater attention paid to the importance of buildings’ structural integrity and regular infrastructure assessments. Building owners and residents are considering what regular actions need to be taken and whom they should work with to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

Although the investigation into the cause of the Surfside condo building’s collapse will not fully take place until search crews have completed their work, it has been strongly speculated that the disaster was the result of “major structural damage” identified by an engineer years before the collapse.

The report provided by the evaluating engineer outlined a multimillion-dollar repair project, which was delayed for over two years before the eventual collapse.

Responding to this news, many building owners and condominium boards of directors are taking key steps to head off major structural damage, including:

• Carrying out regular inspections
• Monitoring building components
• Identifying risks early
• Building capital improvements into budgets
• Reviewing insurance plans

Annual inspections and what to look for

High-rise towers need to be inspected by third-party professionals regularly to identify anything that could lead to deficiencies or damage. Beyond these inspections, buildings should be assessed after any renovation, addition or change that affects their structures.

For example, appropriate professionals such as structural engineers should be enlisted when adding loading to a roof or moving walls within a building.

The concrete and rebar damage of the Surfside building was most likely caused by a combination of factors, including years of exposure to the corrosive salt air of Florida. Although salt water is not a cause of concern here in Wisconsin, heavy storms, snow and hail and lake effect can harm a building’s infrastructure over time.

AEC industry regulators, contractors and inspections should advise building owners and operators to participate in regular building inspections and audits. These audits will be able to identify corrective action that can be taken in places where concrete has fallen off or detached – especially in structural columns – identify and carefully monitor wall cracks and more.

The consequences of Surfside for the AEC industry

The consequences of the Surfside Tower collapse for building codes, construction and the insurance market will be significant. Industry experts are already speculating about what changes will take place and expect that the biggest change will be in the underwriting process as inspection reports are given greater consideration and underwriters ask more questions about the structural integrity and maintenance of a building.

Champlain Towers has demonstrated that structural repairs can cost millions, but there is a much greater cost to not making them. Along with frequent inspections, it’s essential that building owners institute planning for major improvements and capital expenditures in all building-maintenance plans, because putting off known needs because of funding concerns puts buildings and occupants at risk.

In recent years, insurance companies have tightened conditions for insuring properties in high weather areas. Now, it’s expected that insurance providers will be asking building owners to submit proof of passed inspections. However, building owners should not reduce or forgo coverage to cut costs or avoid assessments as possible property-damage claims, as well as injury and death claims from a catastrophic event can be in the millions.

There is never a complete guarantee that following all these steps will always prevent a catastrophic event. However, regular assessments, early damage detection, investment in both maintenance and big improvements can go a long way toward keeping residents and the public safe.