Pages:
1
2 |
bajarickster
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 8-29-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
I live in Alltus 1 which is just below where this accident happened, In fact it was about 100m from my house. Alejandro Saab the developer (SAAB and
Assoc) is an acquintance and also building a large home just below the accident area. The reported location and details are mostly correct, except
for shoddy building materials. I was the 1st and still the only resident of Alltus 1 and have observed their construction practices for 6 months.
While it seems chaotic at times and you wonder who's directing the show, the cement, block and rebar seem to meet or exceed even USA standards. My
partner who has been building in Ca and Co for 30 yrs was down in March and he could not believe how good the construction was. He even took pictures
to send back to his forman in Co.
The accident at Alltus II was extremely unfortunate, and having personally toured the scene, I think there may have problems with the slope and how
far down the footings were, but not poor building materials.
On a personal note, I know all 100 construction guys working there. Not by name, but by face. I even cooked for all 100 3 different times and I'm
sure the 2 killed and 6 injured were in my garage for comida the 1st 2 bbq's. They didn't make the 3rd, as it was 2 days after the accident and we
observed the memorial service held on site. Alejandro Saab was extremely upset and saddened when we talked to him. I think he is building quality
products, but the loss of 2 lives is extremely upsetting. 'nuf said
|
|
longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
  
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bajarickster, not intending to minimize the loss of life & injuries, but the point being made wasn't poor building materials, I read it as
poor building technique. Huge difference! You can use the best materials available, but if they aren't put together for
the job correctly & to a qualified engineers specifications, you end up with disaster in the making; sadly what happened here.
Dollars to donuts that the workers who build the wall that failed KNEW it should have had an appropriate footing for the degree of slope, but alas, as
you pointed out, most building sights here are chaotic & unfortunately, it's not a cultural trait to challenge authority or to
speak up when they see something happening that they KNOW is not correct or sufficient structurally. It's a recipe for disaster if there isn't a
qualified quality control jefe watching every step of the way. That person needs to know how to read blueprints...as opposed to just
looking at them; they need to be able to transfer the engineers structural specifications from the plan to reality & they cannot have a "Oh,
that's good enough!" attitude.
I sincerely hope that SAAB applies some lessons learned the hard way to all his construction sites, for both his workers safety & his business
reputation. The most beautiful casa with poor structural integrity is just another pretty face waiting for the next hurricane to come along....to
expose it's ugly side.
IMHO, this wasn't an accident, but rather an inevitability.
|
|
805gregg
Super Nomad
  
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
Not sure if it's shoddy cost. but I was down at the tip when they were building the Westin, if you saw the quality of workers making the huge dust
cloud on their way walking to work everyday, you wouldn't spend much time under that huge arch. Just saying.
[Edited on 5-10-2008 by 805gregg]
|
|
jodiego
Nomad

Posts: 319
Registered: 2-16-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: ever hopeful
|
|
Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
Not sure if it's shoddy cost. but I was down at the tip when they were building the Westin, if you saw the quality of workers making the huge dust
cloud on their way walking to work everyday, you wouldn't spend much time under that huge arch. Just saying.
What's your point Greg? "The quality of workers...." Just what does that mean? Do they look like poor workers, lack of enthusiasm, dragging their
feet, not rushing to the job sight despite making a "huge dust cloud". Please clarify.
  |
|
|
rob
Senior Nomad
 
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Longlegs . . .according to my source, your statement is right on the bulls eye .. . it was a footings issue.
|
|
Pages:
1
2 |