The Versailles Wedding Hall Disaster

On May 24, 2001, a large portion of the third floor of the Versailles Wedding Hall collapsed during a wedding. 23 people fell to their deaths and approximately 380 were injured. The third floor was initially supposed to be a roof but late in the construction process, it is decided that it would become a dance hall. As a result, the third floor collapsed due to the live load being much greater than the designed load for the floor. 

The dance hall that collapsed was built using the Pal Kal Method, which was unable to bear the weight and pressure of the people during the reception. The Pal Kal method is a cheap construction method using metal plates and thin sheets of concrete. It should only be intended for lightweight constructions. In August 2002, the inventor of the Pal Kal method of construction was charged with manslaughter. It is apparent that this disaster could have been avoided if the engineering department and building inspectors of the Versailles wedding hall paid attention to the safety standards and building codes.