- Robb Engineering
Robb Engineering was a metals manufacturer that was located in
Amherst, Nova Scotia Canada in the early 1900's. [ cite web | last = Forbes | first = Ernest R. | title = The Atlantic Provinces in Confederation | url= http://books.google.ca/books?id=xImeCJxlR6kC&pg=PA173&lpg=PA173&dq=%22Robb+Engineering%22+Amherst&source=web&ots=QFitjV0AUk&sig=8Sh2-HdjgwqGia-t-1B-hsFhZ_k&hl=en | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] Originally started as a tinsmithy, the factory eventually expanded to the manufacture ofBoiler s, electric engines and smallgenerator plants. [ cite web | last = Forbes | first = Ernest R. | title = The Maritime Rights Movement, 1919-1927 | url= http://books.google.ca/books?id=VRQF0ws5Ps8C&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=%22Robb+Engineering%22+Amherst&source=web&ots=4HXvzEjXl2&sig=vmRQZbfPfSsxHTAp5f5XdrQSbQU&hl=en | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] Some evidence exists that attempts were also made by the company to design and manufacture earlylocomotive engine s [http://www.gearedsteam.com/other/other_opqr.htm] as well as a small venture into shipwork. [http://www.marmuseum.ca/MillsUpdateSept04.html]In 1964 the Robb Engineering Works subsidiary was merged into
Dominion Bridge whom then amalgamated intoCanada Car and Foundry whom promptly closed the Robb Engineering division.Most notably Robb Engineering has been pointed to as the maker of faulty 'Open Web Steel
Joist s. In some cases there joists have failed catastrophically and allowed a roof collapse to occur. [ cite web | title = Roof cave-ins blamed on joists, Atlantic Canada | url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/12/15/mall_collapse001215.html | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] With the collapse of 3 joists in 3 separate buildings confirmed, an inspection of all governmental structures was conducted in eastern Canada surveying how many of Robb's joists were in use. [ cite web | title = News Release from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador | url= http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1997/wst/0310n02.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] Inspections costing into the millions of dollars, found that several thousand government buildings, in several provinces across eastern Canada, were involved. [ cite web | title = News Release from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador| url= http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1997/wst/0219n03.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] [cite web | title = Province to Conduct Remediation Program Over Christmas | url= http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20001221005 | accessdate = 2008-04-04 ] An unknown number of private buildings could also be involved, however no statistical information was recorded reflecting this data.External links
* [http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/code/steel/ows-toc.stm Open Web Steel Joist Information Package from Province of Nova Scotia]
* [http://www.pegnl.ca/documents/document_104.pdf THE OWSJ TASK REVIEW BOARD Warning]
* [http://www.lib.uwo.ca/business/ccc-robb.htm Historical essay] company profile (circa 1967)References
CBC coverage (references)
* [http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/robbjoists/index.html CBC News story]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/12/27/ns_joists001227.html Dozens of schools under repair]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/01/12/robbjoists010112.html PEI Government finishes building inspections]
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