Friday evening, Otto Mønsted Kollegium in Copenhagen was evacuated after serious rust damage was discovered on the building’s fire escape balconies. The evacuation included 89 rooms and was implemented as a necessary measure to ensure the safety of the residents. Rasmus Jessing, construction director at the housing company KAB, which is responsible for the operation of the dormitory, explained that the rust had corroded the steel structures on the balconies across three floors, posing an immediate risk of collapse. “This is a situation that simply should not occur. Buildings should be able to withstand more than this,” said Jessing.
The problem was first discovered when craftsmen were called in to investigate a moisture damage in one of the rooms. During the work, they discovered the rust damage, which had allowed moisture to seep into the walls. “When we opened the wall, we saw the extent of the damage. The rusted steel had drawn moisture in, exacerbating the situation,” explained Jessing.
As part of the evacuation process, a letter was sent out to the residents stating that it was life-threatening to be on the affected balconies. KAB arranged emergency accommodation for the affected residents and stationed guards to inform and assist residents who returned home during the night. On Saturday morning, masons and technicians began working on site to conduct further inspections and ensure that there were no additional damages. KAB has announced that they will conduct a thorough assessment of the dormitory’s condition to determine when and if the residents can return to their rooms.
This serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of older buildings, especially those with critical safety features such as fire escape balconies.