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Construction Products Regulations (CPR) and EN 1090 for Steel Fabrications, have been put into focus by the first floor collapse at an Audi car showroom. The showroom had only been completed in summer 2014, just after the Regulations had come into force.

Around one third of the 200 metre by 100 metre floor collapsed on 1st June at the Milton Keynes Audi showroom. The area was used to store cars and around 20 vehicles fell through to the workshop part of the showroom below. Luckily the staff had spotted a problem, prior to the collapse and evacuated the building, so there were no injuries.

The showroom was completed last August following a nine month build with a £7m contract value. Additionally it is estimated that cars worth £300,000 will have to be written-off.

Showroom owner Jardine Motors Group said: “Part of the roof of Milton Keynes Audi, covering the workshop area, collapsed at mid-day on 1st June 2015 and the building has been evacuated. Nobody has been injured and we are currently investigating the cause of the collapse and the extent of the damage.”

Bucks Fire and Rescue said: “Fire-fighters are assisting with scene safety following a partial roof collapse at Milton Keynes Audi. “A number of vehicles fell through to the workshop. The building was safely evacuated before it happened. No-one has been injured.”

It is a warning of the importance of the correct design, build and use of buildings. The CE Marking under the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) and EN 1090 as a legal requirement is now critical demonstrating safe practices in the design, sourcing, fabrications and installation of structural steelwork.