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''''Robb Engineering''' was a metals manufacturer that was located in [[Amherst, Nova Scotia]] [[Canada]] in the early 1900's.<ref> {{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 }} </ref> Originally started as a tinsmithy, the factory eventually expanded to the manufacture of [[Boiler]]s, electric engines and small [[generator]] plants.<ref> {{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 }} </ref> Some evidence exists that attempts were also made by the company to design and manufacture early [[locomotive engine]]s<ref>http://www.gearedsteam.com/other/other_opqr.htm</ref> as well as a small venture into shipwork.<ref>http://www.marmuseum.ca/MillsUpdateSept04.html</ref> In 1964 Robb Engineering was acquired by the [[Dominion Bridge Company]]. Its assets were merged into Dominion's [[Canada Car and Foundry]] subsidiary. These corporate changes saw the workforce at Dominion Bridge Company's operations in Amherst undergo major changes following the dissolution of Robb Engineering. Robb Engineering gained notoriety during the 1990s after being blamed as the maker of faulty 'open web steel' [[joist]]s. Poor welds weakened the joists. In some cases the roof joists have experienced catastrophic failure, resulting in at least 1 roof collapse.<ref> {{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 }} </ref> With the collapse of 3 joists in 3 separate buildings confirmed, an inspection of all governmental structures was conducted in [[Eastern Canada|eastern Canada]] surveying how many of Robb Engineering's joists were being used.<ref> {{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 }}</ref> Inspections costing into the millions of dollars, found that several thousand government buildings, in several provinces across eastern Canada, were involved.<ref> {{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 }}</ref> <ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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== {{reflist}} ===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] [[Category:Companies based in Nova Scotia]] [[Category:Cumberland County, Nova Scotia]] [[Category:Roofs]] [[Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of Canada]] [[Category:Engineering failures]]'