TOKNADO DAMAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 250, 20 September 1929, Page 8

TOKNADO DAMAGE

AT GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

REPORT BY ARCHITECT.

The actual extent of the damage done to the Palmerston North Girls’ High School by the tornado in June was revealed at the monthly, meeting of the Hoard of Governors last evening, when a full report was submitted dealing with the position by Mr Hodge, architect to the Wanganui Education Board. It was as follows: “In connection with the Girls’ High School, I have to report that I made an inspection of the damage caused by the tornado which visited Palmerston North on June 24, and I arranged for repairs that would make the building immediately habitable. You will understand that the urgency of repairs would not permit of the work being executed in tile covering and iron was substituted. In any case, I am of the opinion that where cost eliminates the use of Welsh slates or interlocking tiles, heavy gauge iron well secured is the safest roof covering. Tiles, of course, have an aesthetic value and possess greater durability, but do these advantages outweigh the anxiety, risk and inconvenience that would accompany a like visitation of that of June 24. When referring to durability, I mean quality of material, but unless that material is of such design as to make permanent fixture to the structural parts possible, that it might resist the knife-like action of the wind, quality becomes of no avail. “The performances of the recent tornado would encourage one in the belief that the design of the tiles with which the roof is covered might allow (in a high wind) just sufficient thereof to become dislodged for the ready entrance of a pressure that would build up a balloon-like action of dangerous proportions. I am of the opinion that had the recent gale been of longer duration the damage would have been of o more serious nature. “An inspection of the roof reveals considerable sagging along certain sections. This, in my opinion, is in part due to the arrangement of the structural timbers, of which there are more than sufficient to have given adequate strength to the roof had they been used to better advantage. The enormous weight of the tile covering is also a contributor to the sagging, and should the board decide to retain the present covering some strengthening of the roof should be made to prevent further sagging under the present (dry) dead load of 13J cwt. per square, and (wet) dead load of 15$ cwt. per square, or total distributed dry load of 70 tons and wet load of 81 tons.

“The repairs which have already been executed have involved an expenditure of £SO. A further sum of a like amount would be necessary to replace the broken tiles plus the cost of strengthening the roof framing, which could not be less than an additional £SO. The estimated cost of i amoving the tiles and covering the building with netting, felt and 24-gauge iron is £485. “If the board is able to meet the expense, iron is recommended not only because of any of the aforementioned reasons, but in order to alleviate any anxiety (during high winds) on the part of those who use the building. ’ “It is a most serious thing when one thinks that if the wind had continued the tiles would have been stripped off all the roof,” commented the chairman (Mr W. R Birnie). The board decided to apply for a grant to cover the cost of the work, and resolved to ask that the department’s architect confer with Mr Hodge regarding the re pail's to the roof.