At what point do we hold people responsible for stupidity?

[RandySF]

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Hartford police said at least 30 people have been injured in a balcony collapse at Trinity college.

Officials said 31 students were injured after a balcony collapsed at off-campus housing during a party.

Police said the third story balcony collapsed and brought down the 2nd and 1st floor balcony.

Firefighters said injured students were transported to five different hospitals.

3 students were sent to Manchester Hospital where the were treated for non-serious injuries.


http://www.wfsb.com/story/33066131/multiple-injuries-after-balcony-collapses-at-trinity-college

[MADem]

1. This has happened lots of places....

Everyone wants to party out on the "balcony" or "piazza" or "deck" or what have you, and they're only rated for ten or twelve people.

[JonathanRackham]

2. Rental houses are not inspected regularly by building inspectors.

Photo looks like it was older wood and timber construction. Public buildings usually have occupancy limit signage, not required for this type of construction.

[Igel]

3. Yet the point remains that if you do something stupid, expect bad results.

Most houses aren't regularly inspected. Mine isn't. Still, I know not to do some things. I'm not going to dismantle a large SUV and, for kicks, reassemble it in my 2nd floor den. That floor has some rating, I don't know what it is, but I'm fairly sure a few tons would exceed it. It would be stupid to assume that it's rated for extreme loads.

Which is the point for this. Perhaps all houses should have occupancy signs. Think of them as modifications for those who are somehow impeded.

[JonathanRackham]

7. Rentals can be regulated. Specifically multiple occupancies.

[Taitertots]

4. Those idiots should have been able to tell the load capacity just looking at it

Those morons should have known the combined weight of the group. They also should be able to do a mental calculation of the moment created by the load against the load bearing structure.

[JonathanRackham]

6. I seem to recall alcohol impairs genius.

Throw in a little weed.

The only moment they noticed is the moment when things went down hill.

[Javaman]

5. When intelligent tests are required for members of congress. nt