Follow-up to Indiana State Fair Stage Canopy Collapse

[Erich Friend]

Following the weather-induced collapse last summer of the stage canopy at the Ind..., the Indiana State Legislature announced today that a Senate Bill was authored that addresses the need to have outdoor entertainment structures inspected before use.  The bill was passed and forwarded to the House for consideration.  The current version of SB 273 can be found at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/SB/SB0273.1.pdf

The bill may be edited to include indoor structures as well, as there have been many failures over the past few years due to overloading and component failures.  The bill calls for all structures to be used after the end of June 2012 to be inspected by a registered professional [structural] engineer or other qualified person.  It is undetermined at this time as to how the State will determine who is qualified to make the safety assessments.

Although this is a good step forward to ensure the safety of those working and attending shows with these types of structures, there is still a gaping hole in the requirements to have competent people monitor the weather conditions and have the authority to delay or cancel a show should conditions warrant it.

The report form the structural engineering firm hired to analyze the wreckage has yet to be published, so no further determinations have been made public as to exactly what failed in the structure.  Although this forensic analysis may clarify what happened to the structure, the root cause if the incident is still painfully obvious:  Failure of the venue management to recognize the incoming weather threat and to act promptly and decisively to clear the venue, lower the canopy, and kill the power in a timely manner.

[Ted Jones]

Erich,

 

Thanks for this.

 

Ted