A prominent engineer has outlined what he believes are the 5 risk factors contributing to the collapse of a school roof in northern Thailand earlier this week. Seven students were killed in the incident on Monday evening, May 22, and another 18 people injured, including staff and parents.

 

Thai PBS World reports that the victims were sheltering from a storm in a building at Wat Noen Por School in the district of Sam Ngam, in Phichit province, when torrential rain and strong winds caused the roof to cave in.

 

Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, president of Thailand’s Structural Engineers Association, has identified 5 factors that could have contributed to the collapse.

 

By Peter Roche

Caption: PHOTO: Facebook/แม่หญิงละเวงวรรณฬา บัวบูชามหารัตนปฏิมากร

 

Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/engineer-identifies-five-reasons-the-roof-failed-in-fatal-pichit-school-incident/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-05-25

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

"3. Structural design does not factor in the risk posed by summer storms."

 

Alai wah!!!

"1. Summer storms are generally 2 – 3 times stronger than normal wind and capable of toppling a building."

 

But oddly enough they happen every summer.

 

[quote]He adds that if people need to seek shelter during big storms, they should make sure they choose a solidly-constructed building.[/quote]

 

Doesn't leave them much choice.

One does not need an "engineer" to come to those conclusions.

Buildings are same same all over Thailand with zero engineering standard requirement or certification.

It's the way things work here.

10 hours ago, BritManToo said:

"1. Summer storms are generally 2 – 3 times stronger than normal wind and capable of toppling a building."

 

But oddly enough they happen every summer.

 

I don't understand why they keep calling it a building?

It was a flimsy open structure with a tin roof.

In high winds what on earth did they think would happen?

6. Brake failure

7. It was raining

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I don't understand why they keep calling it a building?

It was a flimsy open structure with a tin roof.

In high winds what on earth did they think would happen?

Exactly. They are designed to fail. Any idiot would know that strong winds getting inside a structure is liable to lift the roof off, but there are countless examples of it all over the country. You just have to wonder at the mentality. Brainless idiots. And so people die.

Built to a price , with maybe plenty of commission , summer storms may never happen,

why take that into consideration .......the Thai way of thinking , resulting in deaths....

 

regards worgeordie

 

I'll go for 4 & 5!

Yikes. Not just 1 reason but 5.

Wonder where the engineer was on erection 7 counts of manslaughter awaits ????