NIST Report

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories, founded by Congress in 1901 to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness by building a world-class measurement infrastructure, and now operates as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its measurements and standards underpin countless technologies, from atomic clocks, computer chips, and nanoscale devices to electronic health records, the smart power grid, and earthquake-resistant skyscrapers.

Aftermath of the Champlain Towers South collapse. Courtesy Wikipedia.

Two Failed Garage Columns Began the Collapse That Killed 98 in Surfside

NIST has released technical findings on the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse that killed 98 people. Investigators traced the disaster to two failed garage column connections beneath the pool deck. Weak safety margins, design and construction deviations, and long-term corrosion left the Surfside building dangerously vulnerable. A final report with safety recommendations is forthcoming.