Why Do Buildings & Garages Seem to Keep Collapsing?

For years, the warning signs were there: cracks in the concrete, rust-stained columns, reports of water pooling where it shouldn’t. But no one imagined that, in the dead of night, Champlain Towers South would come crashing down in a matter of seconds. The Surfside condo collapse wasn’t just a freak accident; it was a failure decades in the making, a stark reminder of what happens when maintenance is deferred, warnings go unheeded, and structural integrity is sacrificed for convenience.

And Surfside isn’t alone.

Across the country, buildings and parking garages are failing under the weight of neglect, poor design, and cost-cutting measures—collapses that should never happen, but keep happening anyway.

Other incidents highlight the devastating consequences of structural failures:

• Manhattan Parking Garage Collapse (April 2023): A multi-level parking structure in Lower Manhattan collapsed, resulting in one death and five injuries. Residents reported prior construction noises, suggesting potential negligence in ongoing maintenance.
• Iowa Apartment Building Collapse (May 2023): A partial building collapse in Davenport, Iowa resulted in three fatalities and the loss of a leg. The building owner later filed a lawsuit against an engineering company for failing to identify structural risks that could have prevented the disaster.

These tragedies are harsh reminders of the critical need for stringent safety measures and accountability.

Common Causes of Structural Failures

Buildings are designed to endure a constant barrage of forces. Gravity pulls downward, wind exerts lateral pressure, and, in some regions, earthquakes and extreme weather introduce sudden, violent stresses. Over time, even the strongest materials can degrade under these forces, especially when exposed to environmental elements.

Steel reinforcements embedded in concrete can corrode when moisture seeps in, expanding and cracking the surrounding material. Freeze-thaw cycles can cause concrete to fracture, while prolonged exposure to salt, pollution, and ultraviolet radiation accelerates the breakdown of structural components.

Several factors contribute to the collapse of buildings and parking structures:

• Material Deterioration and Corrosion: Over time, construction materials can degrade, especially when exposed to harsh environmental conditions. For instance, older structures utilizing cinder concrete are particularly susceptible to water and salt infiltration, leading to compromised integrity.
• Improper Construction Practices: The use of substandard materials or deviations from approved building plans can introduce critical weaknesses.
• Neglected Repairs: Failure to address known damages or structural issues can exacerbate vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of collapse.
• Environmental Factors: Climate elements such as heavy snow, ice, salt, and intense sunlight can accelerate material degradation, especially when maintenance is lacking.

Without regular inspections and timely repairs, the very materials meant to hold a building together can weaken, turning minor cracks into fatal failures. When maintenance is neglected, the slow erosion of a structure’s integrity can lead to the kind of catastrophic collapses seen in cities all over the U.S.

Who Is Responsible for Ensuring a Building Won’t Collapse?

Building safety is typically enforced by municipal authorities. For example, in Houston, the Building Code Enforcement under the Houston Permitting Center is responsible for inspections and compliance. These entities enforce building codes, conduct regular inspections, and have the authority to mandate repairs or condemn unsafe structures.

Individuals who believe they are in an unsafe building should:

1. Report Concerns: Immediately notify building management or landlords about specific issues.
2. Contact Authorities: If responses are inadequate, escalate concerns to local building inspection departments or code enforcement agencies.
3. Seek Legal Counsel: Consult with an attorney with experience handling catastrophic personal injury matters to explore legal options.

At the end of the day, building owners bear a legal and ethical obligation to ensure occupants are safe, whether they’re tenants, guests, or employees. Their duties include regular inspections, timely maintenance, and prompt repairs of identified issues. Neglecting these duties can lead to catastrophic failures, for which building owners and relevant contractors must be held 100% financially and medically responsible.

Surfside Collapse Caused by Decades of Neglect

The tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida claimed 98 lives, making it one of the most fatal building collapse incidents in recent national headlines; it has been extensively investigated to determine its causes. Eventually, the pool deck area was identified as a critical point of failure.

Investigators uncovered that the pool deck’s construction deviated from original design codes and standards, resulting in severe structural deficiencies. The slab-column connections in the pool deck area were among the “most probable” initiation points of the collapse.

Additionally, documents released by Surfside town officials indicated that the pool deck and the ceiling of the underground parking garage beneath it had required repairs as early as 1996. These issues remained unaddressed for decades, leading to significant deterioration. Further compounding the problem, the pool deck’s waterproofing was improperly installed, allowing water to seep into the concrete slabs below. Over time, this exposure led to corrosion of the steel reinforcement and weakening of the concrete structure.

Building Owners Are Responsible for Preventative Measures

To prevent such catastrophic failures, it’s imperative to adhere strictly to construction codes and standards during the building phase. Regular, thorough inspections should be conducted to identify and address structural issues promptly. In the case of Champlain Towers South, timely remediation of the known deficiencies in the pool deck and parking garage might have averted a disaster that ended dozens of lives.

To mitigate the risk of collapse, building owners must practice:

• Regular Maintenance: Routine inspections and upkeep are essential to identify and address potential issues before they escalate.
• Adherence to Building Codes: Strict compliance with local building regulations ensures that structures meet safety standards.
• Accountability: Holding negligent parties—whether owners, contractors, or inspectors—legally responsible is crucial for justice and deterrence.

The condo complex in Surfside and other incidents like it could have been prevented through proactive maintenance, adherence to design specifications, and prompt attention to structural concerns to ensure structural safety and integrity. It takes diligent maintenance, robust regulatory oversight, and proactive measures by all stakeholders to safeguard public safety.

Without them, it will be regular occupants, workers, and residents who pay the price.