5/18/2009
NEWS BRIEFS
Fasteners Targeted In Dallas Cowboys’ Training Center Collapse
‘Optional’ clause raises eyebrows

Federal investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are examining whether fastener malfunction contributed to the May 2 collapse of the Dallas Cowboys’ “bubble” structure training facility, permanently paralyzing one man and sending 11 others to the hospital.

The 85-foot-tall fabric shell and metal structure collapsed during a microburst of 70 mph winds emanating from passing thunderstorms, the Dallas Morning News reported.

At issue is “what type of fasteners were used in securing the steel frames supporting the structure,” American Metal Market reports.

The website for Summit Structures LLC, which sold the 880,000 sq ft structure to the NFL team, reportedly mentions “optional JS3500 coated fasteners” which provide additional assurance against corrosion and rusting. It’s unclear whether those fasteners were used in the structure.

Fasteners are one facet of an investigation that could take six months to complete.

Early reports suggest no inspections of the facility were conducted after its construction. The building design and construction review will reportedly be handled by the National Institute of Standards and Technology under a post-9/11 provision applying to building collapses. ©2009 FastenerNews.com