Inadequate Inspection and the Denver Oriental Theater Ceiling Collapse

Accounts of the spectacular, bur fortunately fairly harmless, theater ceiling collapse indicate that the stage ceiling cave in did not affect the adjacent audience area ceiling. Reports also state that heavy stage lighting equipment remained secured above while the plaster and drywall ceiling collapsed in a dusty heap of debris. And there was no effect on the corresponding roof area. This would indicate that the bones of the Denver Oriental Theater structure are themselves structurally sound, and that the damage remained confined to the stage ceiling only (and perhaps the area of stage it collapsed upon).

Reports indicate that 3 inches of stucco plaster and some drywall composed the collapsed ceiling. The ceiling of the historic theater may have been of venerable age. Anyone familiar with stucco plaster knows that varying humidity, heat, dryness, and weather conditions generally can take their toll on stucco plaster. The plaster can warp, buckle, crack, flake, peel or powder. 3 inches of un-reinforced stucco plaster hanging over your head isn't the most secure ceiling even when new.

A witness account states that just as Doug Kershaw exited the stage, the witness saw crumbling bits of stucco plaster falling from the ceiling. The witness described the falling powder as an "awesome" confetti effect that initially appeared to be part of the show.

Chances are that the ceiling would have already exhibited some signs of impending collapse had it received a close inspection on the Tuesday prior to the cave in. The news account of the theater ceiling collapse stated that the theater had been inspected on that Tuesday because a prospective buyer was finalizing purchase of the theater. Scott LaBarbera, a former owner of the Denver Oriental Theater, was finalizing re-purchase of the venue. The account says that the Denver Oriental ceiling passed inspection. So we wonder if that inspection was all it could have been. We wonder if the ceiling received more than a cursory inspection.

A day after the Denver Oriental Theater ceiling collapse, a fire inspector said that the stage ceiling should be torn out, replaced, and reinforced. We concur with the recommendations to reinforce the ceiling, especially if the ceiling will be another three inches of stucco plaster over drywall.

Everyone can breathe a dust-free sigh of relief that the theater ceiling collapse waited until people had moved beyond harm's way. Had the theater ceiling collapse occurred even a couple of minutes earlier, the injuries and liability consequences could have been enormous. Fortunately, that crumbling Denver Oriental Theater ceiling hung on until the band and theater patrons had exited the area. This limited the costs of the cave in to ceiling replacement and a few cancelled performances. News accounts did not specify whether Mr. LaBarbera's theater purchase decision had been cancelled as well.