Elliot Lake mall 'structurally sound' say Sault engineers prior to collapse

A recent article published by Global News revealed that the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario engineering firm of M.R. Wright and Associates Co. Ltd. issued a report stating that, despite evidence of rust and water damage, the inspected Algo Centre Mall roof and parking deck remained structurally sound.

On June 23, just a few short months following the inspection, a section of the mall's parking deck collapsed into the structure killing two and injuring more than 20.

A letter dated May 3, 2012 addressed to Algo Centre Mall manager, Rhonda Bear, states that representatives from M.R. Wright and Associates conducted a structural condition inspection on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

"Our inspection revealed evidence of rusting on the structural steel beam members in areas where the parking deck has leaked," the letter reads. "All beams inspected had little loss of section and we would consider the members still structurally sound."

The letter also indicates this is not the first time the engineering firm has been called to investigate and inspect the leaking Algo Centre Mall.

In 2009, then mall manager Henri McCleery commissioned M.R. Wright and Associates to inspect areas of the parking deck where significant leakage had been observed inside the mall and determine whether any structural weakening of the steel structure had occurred as a result.

That report, dated October 28, 2009, states that a visual inspection found minor rust in most areas, but required fireproofing had deteriorated and fallen off in some areas due to water saturation.

Pooling water was also observed on the parking deck, indicating insufficient roof drainage.

Waterproofing repairs were reportedly in progress at the time of the 2009 inspection.

The report discussed four areas of concern within the mall; the Zellers store, the service corridor, the Ticket Kiosk (where the collapse eventually occurred), and the main mall area east of the hotel.

"Inspection revealed that the concrete topping has been saw cut and caulked at four-foot intervals north to south and along each location on grid lines," states the report. "Efforts over the years appear to have attempted to waterproof the mall utilizing the concrete topping and the noted caulked joints located over joints in the precast slabs with no waterproofing membrane."

The report went on to state that the "inspection revealed no visual structural concerns both with the structural steel or prestressed slabs. The positive camber on the slabs appear to inhibit surface drainage. This indicates structurally that the slabs have significant load carrying capability."

At that time, the firm's major concern was the loss of fireproofing and recommended it be replaced with a product that is not water absorbent.

When M.R. Wright and Associates returned to conduct the April 2012 inspection, waterproofing measures where once again in progress.

"The upper surface waterproofing is considered only a temporary solution. A permanent repair needs to budgeted for to suitably protect the structure," the 2012 report states. "It is our opinion that the observed rusting at this time has not detrimentally changed the load carrying capabilities of the structure, and no visual signs of structural distress were observed."

To download the complete report documents, please click here.

Following the collapse at the Algo Centre Mall, a criminal investigation has been launched by the Ontario Provincial Police and a class action lawsuit has been filed aimed at mall owners, the City of Elliot Lake, and the Province of Ontario on behalf of the victims.

An unnamed engineer has also been reportedly targeted.

To read the full Global News article, please click here.