CROSS Safety Report
Storm Barbara - loose and insecure parapet copings
This report is over 2 years old
Overview
A section of a roof parapet coping on a new school had been blown onto the roof of the school, having come loose from its fixing.
Key Learning Outcomes
For building owners and managers:
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Regular inspections and maintenance can help keep a structure safe and identify issues such as loose fixings
Full Report
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A section of a roof parapet coping (approximately 50% of the length) on a new school along a street elevation had been blown onto the roof of the school, having come loose from its fixing. Upon accessing the roof, it was discovered that the panels were still side fixed to top of the wall but were susceptible to further wind damage and being blown onto the highway directly below. Ten bags of 25kg grit salt were taken to the roof and placed onto the aluminium coping to prevent further movement of the panels and possible metal fatigue failure of the remaining fixings.
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