The collapse of a cabinet in the secretarial section at the brand-new East Middle School building, left one secretary injured and has raised some questions about whether corners were cut in the showcase building's construction.
EMS sources tell the Turner Report that the accident occurred Friday afternoon when the cabinets above the secretaries' desks fell injuring secretary Sue Macy, who reportedly suffered a concussion, some neck and back injuries, and is unlikely to return to the building for the next couple of weeks.
The same sources indicated that the accident appeared to have been caused by the cabinets not being attached properly to the wall, but only to sheet rock.
The building has also reportedly been plagued by a series of leaks.
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17 comments:
Can we at least be assured that the safe rooms are okay? Please?!? A lot of people are going to be taking shelter there.
Thank you, C.J. Huff, for hiring incompetent people to build the school.
Sorry for her injury, but one cabinet does not make an unsafe school...reaching a bit here
As someone who works at East Middle School, I can tell you that what is described in this article is just the tip of the iceberg. We see evidence every day that corners were cut in the building of our school. The frills were left intact, but there are both major and minor problems all over the building. With the recent firing of our school nurse and others at the building being targeted by Bud Sexson, people are afraid to say anything. Keep digging.
Did Crossland const. build this school? If so I am not surprised at all.
No Crossland did not build the school
Hope the new gym/community safe room at McKinley is done correctly. My wife works there.
Count down for roof leaks? Where are we?
Not surprising when the 11/12 Campus was built TVs and Doors were falling off. This is what happens when these things are rushed and not given the proper time to be built. Can't exactly fault the construction company when they are being forced to open buildings before they rightfully should be. Everything the district has had built has had its problems. I feel for the secretary though. Hope she gets better soon!
Here's a partial list of the problems in the new buildings thus far:
Ceiling collapse due to snow over the office at Soaring Heights, which ruined the office computers
Ceiling collapse and leaks over the library at East
Rain water coming up under the doors at East
Metal door separator falling off at East
Bathroom doors that don't close or lock properly at East
Ceiling leaks leading to collapse at Irving
Black mold growing in the teachers' workroom floor at Irving
Inadequate internet availabilit at East
Allow wiring instead of copper at the new JHS (something that Huff fought to keep when the electric company fought for copper, which is what the city ordinarily requires)
This is just the beginning. Those who have knowledge of other items owe it to their fellow taxpayers to list them on the post. You can bet that the Globe will not address this waste of tax money and endangerment to the students and staff members at the new schools. The big question? Why do we stil pay CJ Huff and Mike Johnson? There is nothing they have not ruined between them in this district from academics, to teacher retention, to assuring safe buildings. Incredible mismanagement is evident in all directions.
4:31--
If you're bold enough to put that much out there, why not just tell the story? Or get someone outside of the school to tell your news? It isn't like Turner and his readers can just walk in and start looking around. If the word is to get out, it has to be through those who have witnessed the problems.
To those of you who are worried about the safe rooms: you can bet those were constructed using the same high standards as the rest of the building. Oh, wait...geez, you're as screwed as the rest of the taxpayers in Joplin. You'd do better to provide your own safe room at home. It's more likely to be open in time, anyway.
2:09:
Perhaps if you were the one injured so severely you might not be so glib. Poor workmanship all the way around. That happens when jobs are rushed in order to preserve the reputation of a vain tyrant.
Cutting corners, way to go! Jeez.
I'm glad she wasn't permanently injured. Securing the cabinets just to the drywall...really?!
A concussion plus neck and back injuries are likely to be permanent. She could have been paralyzed though but no one in the higher ups seems to care.
Here are a few simple questions, which ought to be able to be answered.
1. What do the bid and contract documents say about the use of aluminum wire?
2. What do the relevant electrical codes say about the use of aluminum wire in schools in Joplin?
3. Have any electrical code issues concerning the wiring been reported? If so, are there any negotiations about how to fix them? It seems like simple and minor code issues could be fixed without negotiations.
The Aluminum Association (a trade association) provides information on Aluminum Alloy Building Wire. Electrical
Technical Information on Electrical Aluminum
Aluminum has been safely and effectively used in electrical applications in the United States for more than 100 years. It takes only one pound of aluminum to equal the current-carrying capacity of two pounds of copper making it an extremely attractive material for utilities, builders and others. Following are some basic FAQs on aluminum in the electrical sector as well as more detailed background material in this sector. You may also find the installation procedures and design considerations for aluminum building wire and cable in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications in NECA/AA 104-2012, an American National Standard publication.
Some of the following question and answer probably has more detail than the average person wants. The average person should be able to understand the less technical information which has been highlighted.
Q6) Are there considerations other than ampacity when using aluminum or copper?
Conduits: Copper conductors may allow the use of a smaller conduit size. However, with the compact conductors normally used for aluminum alloy building wire, conduit sizing is generally the same for equal ampacity copper and aluminum.
Connections: Connector sizing must match the AWG or kcmil size of the conductor, whether copper or aluminum.
Physical characteristics: Aluminum conductors are lighter and easier to pull and/or support. Aluminum alloy building wire requires less force to bend, and once bent, exhibits less springback.
Cost: Aluminum conductors are usually more economical than equal ampacity copper conductors.
Specifications: Job specifications may require a certain type of conductor. They may or may not permit an alternate.
Local codes: Municipal or state electrical code amendments may restrict the use of conductors beyond the requirements of the National Electrical Code.
Corosion over time is the main big problem with using aluminum wire
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