NOTE TO EDITORS: Clarification regarding NLIS 2 of today's date

The Department of Works, Services and Transportation would like to clarify a point from the news release issued earlier today regarding open web steel joists. The question was raised whether government was recommending expanding or limiting the period for building inspections based on the new information provided by Robb Engineering.

The department's initial concern focussed on buildings constructed between 1975 and 1980. This was later expanded to include the period from 1970 to 1985 and in the media advisory of February 19, 1997, expanded further to recommend structural assessments of all private buildings constructed prior to 1985 with roof or floor designs using open web steel joists.

The new information provided by Robb Engineering, the manufacturers of these joists, confirms their company began fabricating open web steel joists, with round web, double angle members, in early 1963. This will limit the need for structural evaluations in all buildings with this type of open web steel joist to those constructed during the period 1963 to 1985. The reason for advising the public at this time is to ensure that building owners do not incur the cost of a structural evaluation if their building was constructed prior to 1963.

Contact: Barbara Harris, (709) 729-5884.