Shabana Rahim
ARCH 4861
03/04/2020
Case Study 02
The first step I would take when I approach this case is to find out as much information I possibly can from the South Carolina Department of Buildings. All prior history, modifications, violations, and job filings are important to know. Then I would look for the certificate of occupancy and the permissible use for the building or just the specific area of the building. I’ve concluded that the collapse was due to structural failure caused by the fraternity event. This specific area of the building was only constructed with the intention of it being a meeting room which requires light movement and stationary furniture. However, at the fraternity event 30 people dancing at the same time places a greater load on the floor which it was not designed to carry. It is the owner’s responsibility to enforce the occupant load and restrict the area to the use it was designed to accommodate.
