Earthquake is a wake-up call on high-rise buildings

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Public Affairs article published in The Sunday Gleaner on October 29, penned by Artnel Henry and titled ‘Are high-rise buildings being constructed safe?” is most timely and relevant, in light of the 5.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday which occasioned structural damages both to private homes and public buildings.

Henry underscored the necessity for quality control of materials for building construction. He wrote: “As the demand for houses increased throughout the island, it was impossible for the bureau (of Standards) to certify the building blocks of all the producers.” Consequently, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica “employed a training officer who organised training sessions for producers of goods and services, then followed up with a Quality Mark” to ensure ‘safe’, quality building material.

The article did mention the possibility of shortcuts as well as the different qualities, depending on the structure being erected. Given the recent shake-up caused by the earthquake, this would be a good time to test the quality material used in those buildings recently constructed and were damaged. That pertains both to private homes and public buildings. If such investigations were to reveal that inferior quality materials were used, would those culpable be held responsible, or would we, in usual Jamaican style, just brush it aside without culpability?

The recent 5.6-magnitude earthquake might indeed be a wake-up call, especially in light of the high-rise construction ‘fever’ to build in our crowded spaces. An earthquake of greater magnitude could be extremely catastrophic. Therefore, this saying holds true: “An inch of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

DONALD REECE