REPORT ON EXISTING CONDITION OF BISHOP’S HOUSE

AND ITS ADJACENT BUILDINGS AT LAWRENCE ROAD, LAHORE

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

1.1 A request from Mr. Maxwell was made to have a reconnaissance survey of the
Bishop House and its adjacent buildings to ascertain the damages of the above
buildings after the suicide bomb blasts in Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA) building
on Temple Road just in front of Bishop’s House on west side.

1.2 A visit was carried out on 29th March, 2008 by team of two structural engineers. Team
met the Bishop House authorities and performed the reconnaissance along with
them. Drawings of the buildings were not available. The team carried out survey of
each room of the buildings. It took about three hours for reconnaissance of all the
buildings. Photographs of every damaged part of the roof, walls and floors have
been taken. A detailed description of each room/ verandah / stair cases etc. and the
recommendations have been dealt in the subsequent pages.

1.3 The authorities told the team that Bishop House is about 110 years old. It means that
modes of construction and materials used for this building in 1898 may be different
from today.

Keeping in view of all the factors pertaining to repairing, renovating, new construction
and retrofit design, the building could be put to certain tests for materials such as
bricks, mortar used and steel sections used in roof construction and load tests etc.

2.0 First Floor of Bishop’s House

2.1 Peter Cross Office:

This office on first floor is facing the FIA building across the temple Road. As it was
the nearest face of the Bishop’s building therefore the damages are most severe.
The shock wave damaged upper portion in more quantity.

The old construction consists of brick arches roof supported by the steel sections
which are resting on the 18” thick walls about 16 feet in height. The brick masonry
has been constructed in mud mortar of that time. Bricks are in good condition but
needs their tests in bearing. The steel sections have completed their ages and some
have rusted. They are not reliable now.

The shock wave was so severe that it has separated the corners of the 18 inches
thick and 16 feet high walls. The crack has traveled from top corner to down and
traveled up to mid height of the walls. The walls have bulged at many locations. The
roof has also damaged. Floor joints are also opened and vibration can easily be felt
while walking. Before blast there were no vibrations. The photographs are attached
herewith which were taken during reconnaissance survey.

2.2 Meeting Room:

The roof of this room was constructed on wooden roofs trusses which have been
damaged very much. The tiles above wooden truss roof in slope are damaged. The
tiles have fallen on the meeting room floor. False ceiling has been damaged
severely. Corner joints have opened. Walls have cracks and bulges.
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 2.3 Bishop’s office:

Right side wall of this office have very visible dangerous cracks.

2.4 Stair Case Area:

Wooden roof truss with tiles on it has damaged. Left side wall have visible cracks.
Other walls are bulged.

2.5 Bishops Bed Room:

Joints in wall corners have opened. Roof and walls have been damaged.

2.6 Verandah in front of FIA Building:

Corners of Arches constructed in brick masonry over the windows are damaged and
have very visible cracks. They are damaged totally. The floor gives vibrations while
walking. Verandah on east is intact.

2.7 Chapel Room:

Wooden Truss roof is badly damaged. Walls corners are opened and cracks look
dangerous. Walls have been bulged at many locations.

2.8 Guest Room 1:

Wooden Truss roof is badly damaged. Walls corners are opened and cracks look
dangerous. Walls have been bulged at many locations.

2.9 Account Office:

I-shaped steel sections have been rusted and their ends are not reliable anymore.

2.10 Guest Room / Peter Cross office:

Nearly all the walls have developed cracks. Repair work has been carried out after
the blast but it will not last more. Roof at the corners of walls has opened and cracks
are quite visible.

2.11 i) Verandah in front of Church:

Verandah wall on left side partition wall has developed cracks and verandah beam at
support has cracks.

ii) The tiled roof is damaged and the roof gives vibrations while walking. The
entire roof will have to be re-laid.

3.0 Ground Floor of Bishop’s House

3.1 Right Side Corner Rooms / Guest Room:

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 Walls corner from roof to middle height of wall have visible cracks. Cracks have been
observed in the roof as well. Steel sections as beams have been used in the roof
construction. Steel sections are in the process of rusting. Ends have become weak
and rusting more rapidly. Front verandah is 12 feet wide. Its roof and steel sections
beams are not reliable.

The walls of stair case hall adjoining with verandah are bulged and have developed
cracks.

3.2 Dining Room:

Its measurement is approximately 40’x20’x18’. The roof of this dining room has
partition walls over it which is against the rules of construction. No major defect has
been noticed in this room except that the construction has become very old which
needs attention.

3.3 Guest Room facing FIA Building:

Walls are bulged. Corners of walls are opened. Cracks from roof to center of walls
are quite dangerous. Needs immediate attention.

3.4 Catechists Common:

This building stands just in front of FIA building. It is a new construction but has
damaged badly. Roof, walls and corners are damaged. So many cracks have been
noticed.

3.5 Verandah Arches have been covered with brick masonry walls to make offices and
rooms. Only upper portion of this Verandah is damaged. This verandah is in front of
FIA building.

Keeping in view the condition and age of Bishop House, it is not prudent to renovate
it. Furthermore Earthquake Zone 2A has been set for Lahore in the new Building
Code of Pakistan which has peak ground acceleration of 0.15g. Previously it was in
Zone 1 having ground acceleration 0.075g. Renovation will not be advisable looking
the cost and its life after renovation.

4.0 PCWO Building (Pakistan Catholic Women’s Organization)

This building is also in the front line of the FIA building. It is a thirty year old
construction consisting of precast girders and cast in situ concrete slab. Upper
portion is repairable. Only main cracks observed is in the right corner in front of FIA
building which is repairable It can be used after renovation. The walls are 13-1/2”
thick. Number of girders is four (4) in numbers at 12’ c/c. Lower portion is in better
condition.

5.0 Fatima Press Hall

It is a single storey hall with three girders cast in situ. Girder, spacing is 14’-0” width
& length of hall is 20’x56’. It is in a better condition and can be used after renovation.
Its boundary wall and gate is totally damaged.

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6.0 Servant Quarters just in front of FIA Building.

Lower Portion: Two rooms and Verandah can be used after repair and
renovation. Staircase to be reconstructed.e

Upper Portion: This portion is on load bearing walls. As the walls and roof are
badly damaged therefore upper portion may be replaced and
reconstructed.

7.0 Recommendations and conclusions:

Recommendations for each and every portion which was checked during
reconnaissance survey have already been given above. These recommendations
are based on after the blast damages. Now as the rainy season is coming near. The
rains will further deteriorate the present condition of the damaged building. It has
been noticed that the upper portion of Bishops House has leakages during rainy
season.

In the light of the above damages after the blast, keeping rainy season disaster and
earthquake:

 Area of Bishop’s House facing FIA building should not be used till renovation/new
construction due to its weak condition and the current seismic requirements.

 Repair works as recommended above should be started at the earliest.

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