New York Parking Garage Collapse Kills One and Injures Several Others
On April 18, 2023, a four-story parking garage collapsed in lower Manhattan, New York, killing one person, injuring seven others and crushing several cars. While the cause of the incident is currently unknown, city officials are investigating the weight of the vehicles on the structure’s roof and the age of the building as the main reasons behind the collapse.
The 98-year-old structure will be carefully taken down, with city officials attempting to remove cars first, if possible. However, gas tanks and electric vehicles in the debris may complicate the deconstruction process. The site may take days or weeks to clear.
This article provides more details on the parking garage’s history of violations leading up to the collapse and outlines steps organizations can take to ensure the longevity of their structures and prevent similar incidents.
The Parking Garage’s Past Violations
The parking garage had dozens of violations that date back decades, including four violations that were still open and had not been resolved at the time of the collapse, despite being issued years ago. Two open violations cited in 2003 include missing concrete on steel beams and having defective exit lighting.
The garage was later cited in 2009 for having broken and defective stairs, and again in 2014 for not having a proper fire exit in a stairwell. In all four open cases, city records indicate that the building owner paid $2,500 in fines, but there is no information on whether the violations were ever corrected.
Steps for Ensuring Structures’ Longevity
Violations aside, aging buildings are at risk of losing their structural integrity in general. If simple repairs are left untended, they can balloon into bigger issues, potentially causing significant damage that can interrupt operations and even endanger others. There are several preventive measures that organizations can take to ensure the longevity of their structures, including:
Hiring a trusted facilities manager—A facilities manager should know the structure better than anyone else and act as the first line of defense by identifying any repairs that need to take place. Having proactive facilities managers can help organizations prevent costly incidents and ensure their structures remain safe for occupants.
Planning for repairs and maintenance—While setting aside large sums of money for repairs that haven't happened yet may seem unnecessary, it can be beneficial for organizations in the long run when it's time for routine property maintenance or if unexpected expenses occur.
Conducting inspections—Building inspections should be performed by qualified inspectors who have location-specific expertise. Inspectors should be familiar with signs of property damage due to local weather conditions, such as areas with salt water or snow loading. Structural engineers should assess the major structural components of a building to identify any necessary corrective actions.
Knowing local building codes—Building codes help maintain safe and structurally sound properties. It's essential for organizations to know and understand local building codes so that all property requirements are met. These codes aren’t the same for every structure; building codes in locations with harsher environments (e.g., hurricane-prone areas) may have stricter requirements than those in milder environments.
Acting upon identified issues—When property issues arise, organizations should handle them swiftly. Early action can keep repair costs down and prevent issues from becoming more serious. Further, the safety of those who live or work in a building largely depends on structural issues being addressed and resolved as needed.
All structures will need repairs and updates over time. By being proactive, organizations can help ensure their buildings’ structural integrity and keep occupants safe for years to come.
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This document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.