After a fire causing structural damage to George T. Walker Hall at the University of Louisiana at Monroe on June 12, the building is off-limits to all individuals not engaged in cleaning or repair work.
The university has relocated all offices, classes and other functions housed in Walker Hall.
The fire, which originated from a custodial maintenance supply area on the first floor, caused a significant amount of damage to the structural steel supporting the weight of the second floor in the area of the fire.
“Walker Hall complied with all applicable building/safety codes at the time of the fire,” said Jason Roubique, director of Facilities Management.
A structural engineer evaluated the damage immediately, and under his direction, the university engaged a contractor to install temporary shoring under the failing structure to prevent any further damage.
Workers removed furniture, fixtures and property from the area of the second floor above the structural damage. After that was completed, partition walls on the second floor above the damage were demolished to remove as much weight as possible off the failing structure.
The fire also caused smoke damage throughout the entire building. Service Master of Northeast Louisiana coordinated the cleanup and mitigation of smoke damage throughout the building, and also assisted in cleaning office furniture, file cabinets, etc., to be moved to temporary offices.
ULM is currently working with the State Division of Administration to complete permanent repairs to Walker Hall.
In the coming months, an architect and engineering team will begin preparing construction bid specifications and drawings.
An accurate estimate of total damages has still not been determined, but the university expects that nearly all expenses will be covered by the Louisiana Office of Risk Management (the university’s property insurer).
“The university has not determined the final schedule to get Walker Hall completely operational again, but we expect to remain out of the building for the upcoming 2012-2013 academic year,” said Roubique. “We will work as expeditiously as possible to restore this important facility to full operation.”
