Federal experts have revealed that deficiencies in the pool deck were likely the initial trigger for the collapse of Champlain Towers South condominium, which tragically claimed 98 lives in 2021 and remains under scrutiny.
"Our recent findings suggest that the failure most likely began at the pool deck rather than in the tower," stated Glenn Bell, an associate investigator with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as reported by Local 10 News. Bell emphasized that the pool deck's design did not meet the strength requirements outlined in building codes, and the reinforcement steel was improperly placed according to the plans.
"In some areas, the design provided less than half of the required strength," Bell elaborated. Investigators confirmed to the media outlet that these two critical flaws—insufficient design and misplaced deck reinforcement—had been present since the project's completion over 40 years ago and were pivotal in the partial collapse of the building on the morning of June 24, 2021.
Investigating the Progressive Collapse
Bell highlighted that beyond identifying the starting point, the official investigation also focuses on understanding the progressive collapse that allowed the pool deck failure to extend to the tower. "Without that progression, the disaster wouldn't have reached the scale we witnessed," he emphasized.
The NIST team acknowledged the complexity of the investigation due to widespread design and construction issues detected in both the pool deck and the tower. "There are many lessons to be learned," Bell added. While the pool deck appears to be the origin of the collapse, experts continue to examine structural defects in the tower.
A comprehensive federal report on the incident is anticipated by the spring of 2026.
Understanding the Champlain Towers South Collapse
What was the primary cause of the Champlain Towers South collapse?
The primary cause was likely deficiencies in the pool deck, which did not meet building code strength requirements and had improperly placed reinforcement steel.
How did these deficiencies impact the building's collapse?
These deficiencies initiated a progressive collapse that began at the pool deck and extended to the tower, increasing the disaster's scale.
When is the final report on the collapse expected?
The detailed federal report is expected to be released by spring 2026.