Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair

[jacs]

State Collapses at Indiana State Fair

Local reports are 5 people are now confirmed dead, over 40 are injured.

Does anyone know what these stages are supposed to withstand, how they're constructed, etc? Reports at this time that there was a sudden gust of 70mph wind believed to be responsible prior to the storm actually coming in.

As a side note, please keep my fellow Hoosiers in your thoughts, prayers (if you are the praying kind).

http://www.wthr.com/story/15262930/stage-collapses-at-state-fairgrounds

 

[Mr Softy]

[video=youtube;SRkdwrmzYXg]

frightening. it's on the ground in no time

 

[mark handler]

The tarp they put at the top of the vertical rigging appeared to act like a sail

 

[Mark K]

My belief is that either this structure was not designed at all or that the design did not include the vertical stage drapes. the 70 mph wind should be covered by the code wind criteria.

 

[FM William Burns]

Truly a sad incident. To my knowledge a severe thunderstorm warning was issued 45 minutes prior to the collapse. The indications visible from the ground prior to the collapse dictated the need to evacuate all those not protected by sturdy cover. This is a very sad but preventable accident. With a venue this large and with a national touring band such as Surgerland performing, one would think that Indianappolis or the Marion county jurisdiction would have crowd control measures in place and competent crowd control managers who should have evacuated the infield and back stage areas until the visual indications and storm warnings expired...... spoken from experience and......JMHO

 

[brudgers]

My belief is that either this structure was not designed at all or that the design did not include the vertical stage drapes. the 70 mph wind should be covered by the code wind criteria.

A couple of other things: the wind loading was done for exposure B instead of C or the installation was incorrect (even though designed for the drapes).

 

[Paul Sweet]

Temporary building permits for tents, etc. on Va. state property usually say that the tent shall not be occupied when local winds are forecast or known to be greater than 40 MPH.