ESTA Holding responds to “Vzglyad” request as for dismantling of the walls of TSUM 6th and 7th floors.

17.06.2013

- Will you comment the grounds for dismantling the TsUM façade on the 6th and 7th floors? What is the reason?

- In late April 2013 ESTA Holding invited experts of Scientific and Research Institute for Building Constructions for additional examination of the strength of load-carrying structures and enclosure walls on the 6th and 7th floors of TsUM building. The technical condition of the wall structures of the 6th and 7th floors of TsUM was found to be alarm based on the results of the detailed examination. Moreover, the probability of further walls’ condition worsening during operation was very high.

“During the examination, some design deficiencies, defects and façade walls damages were detected on the 6th and 7th floors level that threaten safety of the reconstruction works and challenge possibility of engagement of these walls elements in the reconstructed building,” says the report of the Research Institute.

According to the Research Institute findings, the walls of the 6th and 7th floors are made of low-grade bricks and matrix and have inadequate strength. It means that collapse failure of the walls of the 6th and 7th floors built in 1952 is highly possible. The Research Institute recommends considering possible dismantling of the 6th and 7th floors during reconstruction with their further identical restoration.

The Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Utilities of Ukraine, in its turn, also recommends considering possible partial dismantling of TsUM façade walls at the 6th and 7th floors level for safety reasons during the reconstruction works.

The experts of the Ministry of Emergencies were invited for additional examination. They reported that during examination of the 6th and 7th floors’ façade walls it was stated that the walls were of self-bearing type and had through cracks, and some of their sections were unfit for operation. Also the report of the Ministry of Emergencies says that the walls of the 6th and 7th floors fail to comply with the current fire safety regulations.

ESTA Holding decided that for high-quality and safe implementation of the project it is necessary to dismantle the walls of the 6th and 7th floors of TsUM with their further identical restoration.

On the 7th of June 2013 ESTA Holding passed the Advisory Council under the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage, after which the company received a permit for dismantling of the walls of TsUM 6th and 7th floors during reconstruction with their further identical restoration. The dismantling of the walls of TsUM 6th and 7th floors will be started in the nearest time.