By: Daiyu Tang
It’s been an interesting week dear reader with trying to investigate the collapse of the Hathian theatre. For those who didn’t read about it, you can read a recap here. In summary, the key questions posed by this newspaper were one, around decisions made about the HGH, two, decisions about the use of the Theatre and three, the collapse of the theatre itself.
You’ll recall how quickly the social media pack descended on those who questioned whether the right decisions had been made. I always find it interesting; this is Hathian. These are the types of questions that must be asked whether a building collapse, an HPD protest, or a gang issue. We don’t accept (and shouldn’t) accept the loudest voices and so, with some degree of understanding that there’s no smoke without fire your newspaper dug into what we were able to do.
We did this, accompanied on our visit to the Theatre by the HPD and then with external parties as appropriate, having received (very… very… quickly) a bundle of evidence from the FDH and then, far more slowly investigatory comments from the Hathian PD and the lab where we at the Observer sent some samples of the collapse to be analysed.
So, let’s break it down.
Decision Making
One should remember that the questions posed in our linked article (and our social media posts after the event) were about decisions, not life saving afterwards. We must remember that Hathian has seen a fair share of corners cut, corruption, gang misdeeds and city officials (whether cop, fire or medical) get into their fair share of illegal, immoral and other trouble. They also do more than their fair share of good, but it’s this balance that is important, a recognition by those with a desire to understand that accepting any one claim or act as inherently ‘right’ or ‘good’ (or ‘bad’) at face value needs to be challenged. Thinking is good. Blind rage and spite, closes legitimate avenues for investigation or discussion.
HGH
The FDH provided us with evidence from the city that the HGH was already identified as flood-prone at the basement level. In addition, there was evidence provided that initial water penetration had been reported leading to the decision to evacuate. As a hospital, the HGH requires backup power and certain critical care systems that rely on that power. It is stated that flooding poses a risk to those systems in the FDH logs as they prepared for emergency precautions.
Noting the above evidence, there remains hard questions then considering the location of the HGH for the City. Having consulted various experts in resilience, including medical resilience the Observer is left with the impression that corners have been cut in the design and construction of the hospital in accordance with generally accepted resilience standards. Let’s face it readers, Katrina was a bitch and hurricanes happen every year. Flooding is a known risk, as the FDH acknowledge, yet for example the HPD made a call (which could also have gone wrong) to remain open and in this instance at least, did not suffer such flooding. Luck, or other factors?
Our expert told us that, in accordance with planning requirements in the United States that they would expect that construction should take account of DFE and BFE (design and base flood elevations). In short, because the evidence I was sent is dry and long and I can’t repeat it here without giving you an entire newspaper of a response, the building’s key resilience requirements should cope with a 500 year-flood, or similar. As a ‘class 4’ (I said it was a dry document!) building… our expert suggests HGH didn’t get it right. Boxer? Are you listening?
There was a lot more on potential roof sited protected generators and so on, but our budget for further questions ran out and well, you’ll have to take a view to some extent. So in conclusion, clearly the evacuation was based on all available facts at the time, but the building of HGH itself? Not sure it’s 100% kosher, but I doubt in this City anyone has the money for that.
The Theatre
The FDH provided us with evidence of their inspections for various matters related to the theatre which all appeared in order, but for the main, were focused on matters we’d expect not to contribute to collapse. Never-the-less they established the suitability of the venue as a potential shelter when it was being reviewed. These included fire safety checks, emergency procedure checks and various assessments undertaken of supplies and so on.
With hindsight, it is easy to suggest the HPD, FDH or even some of the strong(er?) looking commercial buildings in #D8 but based on what we read, we can see why the Theatre was chosen.
The one point, which is at odds with the investigation undertaken is that in a recent city inspection, the building passed inspection, including per the roof. This is at odds with our investigation below. It is not, however a fact, that in an emergency situation with winds howling and rain falling that any FDH member of staff could contemporaneously check. They did what they could. Mayor Boxer… Are you listening?
The Collapse
Here is where paperwork cannot paint the full picture. We’ve established that the decision to evacuate was the best possible at the time based on the HGH’s circumstances. We’ve also established that the Theatre was selected on information made available to the emergency services and that information, assuming accurate, supports that decision. So now we turn to the collapse; this is the piece that needs a little more digging.
Firstly, we’ll turn to the HPD case file of the investigation and see what conclusions they reached.
“Conclusion of investigation is that collapse was caused by progressive structural weakness, caused by microcracks in concrete, allowing water to enter to steel supports, Hathian’s coastal air and occasional sub zero temperatures experienced over the years possibly accelerating the erosion. The roof itself was recessed, forming a literal pool, while drainage was either overloaded of completely clogged (organic plant matter was visible within debris), eventually overloading the structure. No signs of explosives or other sabotage was to be found.”
We should start by celebrating that sabotage and explosives were ruled out. Finally, Tori tells the truth on Social Media. The conclusions support the visual evidence we found on site and support the lab results from the steel and concrete. In effect this throws open to question (to a greater or lesser extent) the diligence and competency of the City’s building inspectorate, rather than the FDH. It should not be any surprise to readers that this newspaper takes a dim view of adherence to construction, safety and other mandatory standards within Hathian. Some civic workers are, we are sure, highly diligent. Some are not.
Dear reader, I’ll leave you to take a view on whether a literal swimming pool design on the roof of the Theatre, combined with a clear issue with actual day-today cleaning and maintenance for an unknown period (such records appear lost in the disaster) are a contributing factor… The HPD seem to think so, and the fact water damage had penetrated to the supports already prior to the disaster does lend itself some credence that once again, civic services may not have done what they should. Mayor Boxer, this is the third call out… are you listening?
A Conclusion
It seems we are a little way forward compared to where we were. We’ve asked the difficult questions and can evidence from what has been provided to us that those decisions in the direct hands of the FDH and HGH appeared reasonable in the circumstances. We have however sufficient concern about the actions of parties outside the direct control of the emergency services to warrant being concerned. Of course we tried the Mayor – no response was forthcoming. I think dear reader, from our past articles, you might have seen that coming.
Beyond the mayor what else can we do? What else can the citizens… you… do? It’s a hard one. If you were injured or otherwise impacted by the accident, there’s a few lawyers in Hathian. This newspaper doesn’t encourage Lawfare, but considering some rather specific code requirements and even disregarding them, some rather lax cleaning and ‘true’ inspection results of the rubble? There’s an ambulance (chasing lawyer) out there for you we’re sure.
Stay safe Hathian
