Building Collapse
The article “Design, Builders Blamed for Roof Collapse at School” (Metro, Dec. 19) states that “the primary cause of the roof collapse (at Cal State Long Beach) can be traced to design, construction and maintenance problems.”
A primary means to prevent such a possible convergence of problems is a vigilant building inspection program for all public structures.
Building and safety inspectors should have been doing their jobs diligently from pre-construction plan checks to the post-construction issuance of a certificate of occupancy, including every phase in between. Annual inspections should have given officials an early warning as to post-occupancy structural problems as well.
ELLEN STERN HARRIS, Executive Director, Fund for the Environment, Beverly Hills
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