TU's housing is 'up to code' with building standards

The state of Illinois is planning to take action following last weekend's deadly porch collapse in Chicago. 13 people died and scores more were injured when the third floor porch suddenly gave way.

Wednesday, July 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The state of Illinois is planning to take action following last weekend's deadly porch collapse in Chicago. 13 people died and scores more were injured when the third floor porch suddenly gave way.

The city says there was no permit to build the porch, and that the three-story building was illegally converted to three units from five.

In Tulsa, the University of Tulsa is up to code with their building standards. News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger says Chicago's porch collapse was certainly unfortunate.

Since 1995 there have actually been six similar porch collapses in that area. But it's those incidents that prompted TU's director of housing to work with Architects Collectives two years before their units went up.

The first phase of the University Square Apartments located on the TU campus was build in 1996, and houses more than 300 law students. Charles Colby says residents do have parties but there are student managers on site to make sure things don't get out of hand.

Colby says structural problems were addressed before balconies became a part of the design. "You multiply the square footage times a 200 pound person come up with a figure the and then we exceed that figure in terms of the design. These are well designed and very secure and you can feel that in terms of solid nature. If you look underneath the studs are well designed and anchored."