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'''Robb Engineering''' was a metals manufacturer that was located in [[Amherst, Nova Scotia]], [[Canada]] in the early 1900's1900s.<ref> {{cite webbook | last = Forbes | first = Ernest R. | title = The Atlantic Provinces in Confederation | url= httphttps://books.google.cacom/books?id=xImeCJxlR6kC&pg=PA173&lpg=PA173&dqq=%22Robb+Engineering%22+Amherst&source=web&otspg=QFitjV0AUk&sig=8Sh2-HdjgwqGia-t-1B-hsFhZ_k&hl=enPA173 | accessdate = 2008-04-04 | isbn = 9780802068170 | date = January 1993 | publisher = University of Toronto Press }} </ref> Originally started as a tinsmithy, the factory eventually expanded to the manufacture of [[Boilerboiler]]s, electric engines and small [[Electrical generator|generator]] plants.<ref> {{cite webbook | last = Forbes | first = Ernest R. | title = The Maritime Rights Movement, 1919-1927 | year = 1979 | publisher = McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP | url= httphttps://booksarchive.google.caorg/books?iddetails/maritimerightsmo0000forb | url-access =VRQF0ws5Ps8C&pg registration | page =PA62&lpg [https://archive.org/details/maritimerightsmo0000forb/page/62 62] | isbn =PA62&dq 9780773503212 | quote =%22Robb+ Robb 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>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gearedsteam.com/other/other_opqr.htm]|title = Other Geared Steam Locomotives - Page OPQR}}</ref> as well as a small venture into shipwork.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marmuseum.ca/MillsUpdateSept04.html |title=Marine Museum of the Great Lakes |accessdate=2008-04-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410114735/http://www.marmuseum.ca/MillsUpdateSept04.html |archivedate=2008-04-10 }}</ref>
In 1964 the Robb Engineering Works subsidiary was merged into [[Dominion Bridge]]<ref> {{cite web | last = NetIndustries, LLC | title = Company Profile | url= http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/74/United-Dominion-Industries-Limited.html | accessdate = 2008-04-04}} </ref> whom then amalgamated into [[Canada Car and Foundry]] whom promptly closed the Robb Engineering division.
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.
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 occure.<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 seperate buildings confirmed, an inspection of all governmental structures was conducted in eastern Canada surveying how many of Robb's joists were in use.<ref> {{cite web | title = News Release from Gevernment of Newfoundland and Labrador | url= http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1997/wst/0310n02.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> Inspections costing ito the millions of dollers, found that several thousand government buildings, in several provinces across eastern Canada, were involved.<ref> {{cite web | title = News Release from Gevernment 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. ▼
▲Most notably Robb Engineering hasgained beennotoriety pointedduring tothe 1990s after being blamed as the maker of faulty 'Open[[open Webweb Steelsteel [[Joistjoist]]s . Poor welds weakened the joists. In some cases therethe roof joists have failedexperienced catastrophicallycatastrophic andfailure, allowedresulting ain roofat collapseleast to1 occureroof collapse.<ref> {{cite webnews | title = Roof cave-ins blamed on joists, Atlantic Canada | url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/roof-cave-ins-blamed-on-joists-atlantic-canada-1.217035 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070707163615/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/12/15/mall_collapse001215.html | accessdateurl-status= live | archive-date= July 7, 2007 | access-date = 2008-04-04 | work=CBC News | date=2000-12-19}} </ref> With the collapse of 3 joists in 3 seperateseparate buildings confirmed, an inspection of all governmental structures was conducted in [[eastern Canada ]] surveying how many of Robb Engineering's joists were inbeing useused.<ref> {{cite web | title = News Release from GevernmentGovernment of Newfoundland and Labrador | url= http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1997/wst/0310n02.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> Inspections costing itointo the millions of dollersdollars, found that several thousand government buildings, in several provinces across eastern Canada, were involved.<ref> {{cite web | title = News Release from GevernmentGovernment 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.
==References==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.pegnl.ca/documents/document_104.pdf THE OWSJ TASK REVIEW BOARD Warning]
===CBC coverage (references)===
*[http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/robbjoists/index.html CBC News story]
*[httphttps://www.cbc.ca/news/storycanada/2000/12/15/mall_collapse001215dozens-of-schools-under-repair-1.html220019 Dozens Aof lawsuitschools andunder settlementrepair]
*[httphttps://www.library.dalcbc.ca/archivesamp/ms2r1.htm264512 PEI subjectGovernment offinishes abuilding manuscriptinspections]
==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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402155328/http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/code/steel/ows-toc.stm |date=2009-04-02 }}
*[http://www.pegnl.ca/documents/document_104.pdf THE OWSJ TASK REVIEW BOARD Warning] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192917/http://www.pegnl.ca/documents/document_104.pdf |date=2011-07-06 }}
*[http://www.lib.uwo.ca/business/ccc-robb.htm Historical essay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513032252/http://www.lib.uwo.ca/business/ccc-robb.htm |date=2008-05-13 }} company profile (circa 1967)
[[Category:JoistsFoundries in Canada]]
[[Category:Amherst, Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:Roofs]]
[[Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Engineering failures]]
[[Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1903]]
[[Category:Canadian companies established in 1903]]
[[Category:Defunct companies of Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:1903 establishments in Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:1964 disestablishments in Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:1964 mergers and acquisitions]]
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