State toughens construction supervision in wake of Latvian tragedy

Photo: SCANPIX

Yesterday, government of Estonia approved Building Act bill prescribing stricter supervision as triggered by the Maxima disaster in Riga, Latvia.

«[This will] mainly regard [buildings with] larger, publicly approachable and more complex load bearing structures,» said Juhan Parts, minister of economy and communications. «Pursuant the new bill it will be an absolute rule: expert assessment with construction must be independent – we will toughen the independency requirements. Secondly: with the more complex project designs, this must also be done at draft plan stage.»

At the same time, the new law will cut red tape at coordinating design projects.

According to Mr Parts, Estonian experts were summoned in the wake of the tragedy with the roof collapse in Riga; it was concluded that something needs to be done.

Yesterday, results were filed in from an expert assessment in Tallinn. In a children’s centre in Tartu, plaster fell from a part of the building dating back to the 1950ies. Turns out: the part of the building corresponds not to safety requirements. According to Public Broadcasting (ERR) radio newscast, serious deficiencies were detected in the inserted ceiling structures of the kindergarten housing 120 children – leading to temporary closure of four rooms.