BROWARD COUNTY, FL - After conducting extensive inspections, testing, and evaluation with a variety of methods and technologies, engineers have concluded the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale is structurally sound and safe for full occupancy. 

Broward County Chief Judge Jack B. Tuter, Jr. has been briefed about the findings and will communicate with the building stakeholders regarding reoccupying the affected floors of the downtown courthouse that were vacated. 

"I would like to thank everyone for their patience while we conducted the necessary inspections with internal and external experts. Public safety of the employees and visitors at the courthouse was and will continue to be our priority," said Monica Cepero, Broward County Administrator. 

Broward County Public Works engineers, in partnership with the building's designers and engineers, as well as an independent engineering firm, have all been part of the evaluation of the courthouse's current condition. 

Broward's Director of Public Works, Trevor M.A. Fisher, will be available for interviews on-site today, Thursday, February 2 for one-on-one interviews with reporters at 2:30 PM.

Background:

On Thursday, January 19, cracks on the horizontal beams above the roof structure were reported and pictures were sent to the engineering firm which originally designed the courthouse. In an abundance of caution, the four upper floors of the courthouse were closed that evening as a precautionary measure.

The following day engineers arrived and began their extensive inspections of the beams, along with a review of the original design documents. Portions of the beams were not easily accessible and required 30-foot scaffolding for closer inspection. 

Since the initial report of cracks, all the roof beams have been inspected by structural engineers using various technologies and techniques to establish the source of the cracking and the severity of the damage. Technologies employed in the analysis include Ground Penetrating Radar Scanning, Spectral Analysis Surface Wave Testing, and exploratory concrete chipping and coring of the beams. The chipping and coring were done to complement the other technologies without further damaging the beams.

The County's Public Works Department will continue to work with the engineers to determine the plan to repair the roof beams. 

In an abundance of caution, and although there is no indication for concern, Broward County Public Works will conduct structural reviews of the other areas within this building.