The virtual non-existence of Substantial Structural Deterioration (SSD)

An Opinion By Ronald Bibace

Published March 25, 2025

 

Substantial Structural Deterioration (SSD) is almost certain never to exist in normally maintained buildings:

 

For a normally maintained building, SSD is essentially prevented by design:

  • Early warning signs give plenty of time for preventive measures.

  • Proper upkeep ensures small issues are addressed long before they escalate.

 

Structural standards and inspections add extra layers of protection, making the existence of SSD in such buildings nearly impossible without clear, prior indications of trouble.

 

1. Early Warning Signs Appear Long Before SSD Develops

  • Structural issues progress gradually, and visible signs like cracks, uneven floors, or sticking doors are noticeable well before serious deterioration occurs.

  • These signs provide ample time for repairs, preventing SSD from becoming a critical problem.

 

2. Maintenance Prevents Deterioration from Escalating

  • Routine maintenance -- such as sealing cracks, addressing drainage issues, and monitoring structural elements -- stops problems from worsening.

  • For example:

    • Water intrusion is managed early, preventing corrosion or spalling.

    • Regular inspections ensure that small issues don't compound into significant deterioration.

     

3. Modern Engineering and Construction Standards

  • Buildings constructed or retrofitted under modern codes (especially in Florida, post-Hurricane Andrew in 1992) are designed to resist environmental stresses, reducing the likelihood of SSD.

  • Reinforced concrete, improved waterproofing techniques, and stricter building codes help structures stay robust.

 

4. Predictability of Subsurface Conditions

  • Subsurface changes, such as soil movement or settlement, develop slowly over decades, and any potential risks (e.g., erosion) are identified through proactive maintenance and inspections.

  • These issues are not sudden, making SSD without prior signs highly improbable.

5. Lack of External Catastrophic Factors

  • In a normally maintained building, SSD typically only arises under extreme conditions, like major neglect or environmental events (e.g., sinkholes, severe flooding).

  • Absent these external triggers, SSD is virtually impossible to develop unexpectedly.

 

6. Engineering Inspections Reinforce Structural Stability

  • Periodic engineering evaluations -- even outside the Milestone protocol -- ensure that any signs of material aging or structural stress are identified and addressed.

  • Tools like hammer sounding or non-destructive testing further aid in catching hidden deterioration before it becomes serious.

 

The point being that $billions are being spent on unnecessary repairs to fix a problem that barely ever surfaces A problem which provides substantial preliminary warning indications well ahead of any danger. If engineers and/or Boards, allow major indications of substantial structural deterioration to go insufficiently addressed, as appears to be the case in the Surfside collapse,  it is unlikely that more laws will change the result.

 

Meanwhile it is certainly possible that the  Dollar cost of those laws on the health of  innocent condo owners with heart issues, may cause more deaths on than would ever occur from the absence of Milestone.

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