Structural inspection report results in evacuation of hospital services at Mt Isa

"Concrete cancer" has been noted as a cause for down rating the capacity of columns supporting part of the Mt Isa hospital ward areas.

"Concrete cancer" is a common non-engineering deterioration term typically applied to the action of reinforcement corrosion within a concrete building element resulting in the spalling-off of concrete near steel reinforcing bars just below the surface.  Corrosion can be the result of insufficient concrete cover, poor quality concrete and compaction during placement or adverse environmental conditions that have affected the elements exposure.

Patients evacuated as structure found unsound | Townsville Bulletin News

Brisbane storms roll in without warning

Extract from Australian New story Sunday 18th November 2012

"BRISBANE only knew a ferocious storm was upon it yesterday when it was being pounded by almost cyclonic winds and hail, with forecasters issuing a warning too late.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Facebook page has erupted with criticism over why locals weren't warned of a severe storm until five minutes after it hit the inner Brisbane city yesterday morning.

It was the worst storm in 14 months.

Winds up to 90 kilometres per hour lashed the bayside, small hailstones fell all over the icty, four centimetres of rain was dumped on the CBD in just half an hour, and 10,000 lightning strikes tore through the sky.

Cars were submerged in the inner-city suburb of Bowen Hills and trees toppled over throughout the city."

the Australian Brisbane 17/11/12 storm story

Channel 9 News Video Footage

Mini tornadoes spotted near Hobart

Herald Sun story today - "A series of tornadoes have hit Hobart as the weather bureau warns of severe storms in southeast Tasmania.

The Bureau of Meteorology says weak tornadoes have been observed in and around the capital and have been included in a warning about destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones.

"We have had some reports of hailstones and also tornadoes in the southeastern area," the bureau's severe weather forecaster, Matthew Michael said."

heraldsun news story posted 3.04pm 9 Nov 2012

Powerful electrical storm hits South Australian Capital

www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/wild-weather-and-more-on-the-way

Keeping in doors or in your car whist this kind of tempest is in progress is good advice. This storm hit on Monday evening 5th of November.
Extract and pictures from the heraldsun news story

 "More than 173,000 lightning strikes had hit the state's electricity network in the 24 hours to 10pm last night.

"No one at SA Power Networks can recall a more extensive and violent lightning storm," SA Power Networks spokesman Paul Roberts said this morning."

Super-storm Sandy proves fatal for some on the US East coast

A large tree in Methuen, Mass. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 lays atop power lines due to Monday's hybrid superstorm Sandy. Sandy caused multiple fatalities, halted mass transit and cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Written by

Allen G. Breed and Tom Hays

Associated Press

"NEW YORK — Millions of people from Maine to the Carolinas awoke Tuesday without electricity, and an eerily quiet New York City was all but closed off by car, train and air as superstorm Sandy steamed inland, still delivering punishing wind and rain. The U.S. death toll climbed to 39, many of the victims killed by falling trees.
The most devastating storm in decades to hit the country’s most densely populated region upended man and nature as it rolled back the clock on 21st-century lives, cutting off modern communication and leaving millions without power Tuesday as thousands who fled their water-menaced homes wondered when — if — life would return to normal."

http://www.pnj.com/viewart/20121031/HURRICANE/310310034/Superstorm-Sandy-makes-landfall?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

In earlier days rural development would see the house paddocks cleared of trees to make way for the family farm home to be built.  Today in urban areas, trees offer a beautiful asset and increase the value and attractiveness of your street-cape and neighborhood.

Termites, hungry unhelpful Queenslanders

Termites bring alot of pain and cost to Queensland home owners.

Don't let them take your home for lunch. Below is an extract from the Queensland Building Services Authority.

To deter concealed termite entry to the dwelling, regular maintenance is essential. The following list is a guide to what owners should and should not do to protect their home from termites.

❑ Have the building inspected at least annually by a suitably qualified termite management contractor, licensed in Queensland by BSA. A free licence history check can be performed at www.bsa.qld.gov.au. More frequent inspections may be required in high risk areas (such as areas near trees or bush).

❑ Owners should perform their own ongoing inspections between professional inspections.

❑ Owners should be careful not to compromise their termite management system. Termite infestations can occur when a perimeter system has been made ineffective The most frequent cause of termite infestation is where a perimeter system has been bridged or breached, thus rendering it ineffective.

❑ Special care should be taken to protect the ‘weepholes’ (vertical joints between bricks close to ground level that are left open to allow any moisture to escape outside the house). 75mm minimum clearance is recommended from the bottom of any weep hole to the top of the garden bed, concrete or unit paving.

❑ Freestanding structures should be built with a minimum 25mm inspection zone between the structure and the house.

Storm season kick-off

The Gap 2008 Storm damage: ABC News image

Now that Australian AFL/NRL football codes have been settled with Grand final matches, the spring summer seasonal storm period is upon us.

Most structural inspections will focus on defective items or damage that may be present within the house structure.  This is fine however its worth considering items left of field (or backyard) that can cause harm and result in lost of property or even death.

Structural Inspections +1

Welcome to Structural Inspections +1

This forum is now available to assist you with structural inspection services for your home, commercial industrial or institutional buildings or even large structures including bridges.

A facebook platform has also been added and can be found using the following link.
http://www.facebook.com/Structuralinspections