Did History Actually Teach Us Anything? – Episode 8 Apollo Theatre Crash

Laura: 
Welcome to "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?" 
The podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history. 
And consider whether we've actually learned anything from them all these years later... 
In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that led to them, be they icebergs or bakers ovens. 
We will consider whether these tragedies could have been avoided, and some of the surprising things we do differently now as a result. 
But this podcast, isn't just about dates and events. It's about learning from the past, drawing insights from hindsight, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexities of what really happened in these events we think we know so well. 
So get ready to encounter remarkable individuals, pivotal moments and fascinating insights that will make you appreciate health and safety and environmental management as far more than just red tape. 
In the midst of a lively performance, tragedy struck, when a segment of the Apollo Theatre's ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, leaving more than 80 theatre goers injured and many more shaken. 
This episode discusses the risks with old buildings and how audience members believed that the ominous sounds of the roof beginning to collapse were actually part of the show.

Joining us as we uncover the shocking details surrounding the Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse is our health and safety expert, Alfred, who is going to begin by giving us a brief introduction into what actually happened on that December evening. 


Alfred: 
On the evening of Thursday, December 19, 2013, a production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time was ongoing at the Apollo Theater, located on Shaftesbury Avenue in London. 
This is a historic venue known for hosting various plays, musicals and performances. 
At approximately 8:15pm during the play's second act, the ornate plaster ceiling and part of the lighting rig of the theatre begins to crumble, causing panic and chaos among the several hundred audience members as it appears, parts of the ceiling were caving in. 
Witnesses reported hearing a strange crackling noise prior to the entire dome roof of the Apollo Theater collapse. Many in the audience believed the sound effect as part of the performance.
The collapse resulted in multiple injuries and more than 80 people were treated at the scene or in nearby hospitals. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The injuries ranged from minor cuts and bruises to more serious fractures and head injury.
Emergency service were quickly deployed to the scene to assist the injured and manage the evacuation. The London Fire Brigade, ambulances, and other emergency personnel responded promptly to address the aftermath of the collapse.


Laura: 
What were the health and safety causes of the roof collapse?


Alfred: 
The Apollo, built in 1901, had undergone regular maintenance and inspection s of its visible and accessible area, but not of the concealed parts like the plaster ceiling. 
The primary cause of the collapse was the corrosion of the meta l ties that connected the balcony to the ornate plaster ceiling. Over time, these ties had corroded leading to a significant loss of structural integrity. 
Corrosion weakens metal structures, making them susceptible to failure. 
One of the contributing factors to the corrosion was lack of adequate maintenance of non visible structures. 
The metal ties and other structural elements were not sufficiently inspected, maintained, or replaced, over the years, and the management reportedly relied on visual inspections and minor repairs, which were insufficient to identify hidden structural problems in a building over 100 years old.
Regular inspections and proactive maintenance could have identified the corrosion early on, allowing for preventive measures. Furthermore, there were indications that the corrosion and structural weaknesses were not identified in previous assessments. 
The incident raised questions about the adequacy of structural assessments conducted in the theater. A more thorough and frequent assessment might have identified the deterioration condition of the metal ties. 


Laura: 
Did the age of the building play any part in the roof collapse? 


Alfred: 
The Apollo Theater is a historic venue with a long history and the age of the building played a role in the incident. 
It is very important to state here that the Planning, Listed and Building Conservation Act 1990 protects listed buildings like the Apollo Theater and requires proper maintenance and preventing unapproved changes that could compromise structural integrity. 
Also, the Health and Safety Act 1974 places responsibility on duty holders, building owners or employees to ensure that premises, including older ones, are safe for occupants and visitors. 
It is important to note that preventing incidents in older buildings involve a combination of proactive measures, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to ongoing maintenance. 
Therefore, older buildings may face challenges related to aging of structural components, and it is essential to implement rigorous maintenance practices to ensure their ongoing safety.


Laura: 
Was there an investigation into what happened? 


Alfred: 
Following the incident, investigations were launched to determine the cause of the collapse. 
It was revealed that the roof collapsed due to deterioration of the hessian and the plaster of Paris cloths, and the ties that held up the timber frames, as this was flaky, loose and had weakened over time. 
This material had been in place since the theater opened in 1901 and had began weakening over time. 
To prevent similar incidents, other theaters were warned to inspect their ornate ceilings as a matter of urgency.


Laura: 
So is there any way that the collapse could have been avoided?


Alfred: 
The roof collapse could have been avoided through a combination of proactive measures, regular inspections, and appropriate maintenance practices. 
Regular and thorough structural inspections of the theatre components including the balcony and supporting structures could have identified signs of corrosions or structural weaknesses. 
Frequent inspections are crucial for detecting issues early on and implementing preventive measures.
Implementing a corrosion monitoring program for critical structural elements such as the metal ties supporting the balcony could have detected signs of corrosion in its early stages. 
Corrosion prevention measures such as protective coating or regular maintenance could have been applied to mitigate the impact of environmental factors.
Upgrading the theater's infrastructures to modern standard, including the use of corrosion resistant materials and structural reinforcements could have enhanced its overall safety. 
This may involve retrofitting older buildings with new technologies and materials that are better suited to withstand environmental and structural challenges..
The use of advanced technologies, such as structural health monitoring systems and sensors could have provided real time data on the condition of critical structural elements. 
Regulatory authorities could have played a role in ensuring that theatres and historical buildings adhere to stringent safety standards. 
Therefore enhanced regulatory oversight, regular inspections, and stricter enforcement of maintenance requirements may have contributed to the early identification of potential risks.
The Apollo Theater incident prompted a reassessment of safety practices in historic venues, leading to improvement in regulations and industry standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.


Laura: 
With those improvements in mind then, what lessons have been learned, and what do we do differently now, as a result of the collapse? 


Alfred: 
In the aftermath of the Apollo Theater collapse in 2013, there were reassessments of safety practices in the context of historic venues and public spaces. 
The incident prompted a closer look at various aspects of safety protocols regulatory oversight, and industry practices. 
Firstly, there was a heightening emphasis on the need for routine and thorough structural inspections of historic buildings, particularly those hosting public events.
The incident underscored the importance of identifying and addressing structural vulnerabilities through regular assessment of suspended ceilings and other building fabrics annually or as advised by the builder. 
Secondly, the need for upgrading and modernizing older structures to meet contemporary safety standard gain recognition. 
This involves retrofitting buildings with new technologies, materials, for example, energy efficient windows or upgrading the HVAC system and safety features to enhance their resilience to environmental and structural challenges. 
Similarly, the importance of corrosion monitoring and prevention measures in older structures became a focal point, ensuring that critical structural elements are resistant to corrosion and implementing preventive measures to address corrosion risks gain increased attention in safety practices. 
Establishing comprehensive programs that include regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs also become a priority to address potential risks before they escalate.
Finally, regulatory authorities reassess their oversight of public venues with a focus on ensuring that the safety regulation are stringent and effectively reinforced. 
This may involve updating a strategy regulations to reflect current safety standard and addressing potential gaps in oversight. 
With all these improvements, audience members can now be assured that the phrase bringing the house down, will only refer to thunderous applause and not the actual roof. 


Laura: 
Thanks for joining us on this episode of "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?" 
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Join us next time to learn whether history did actually teach us anything...