Tenants of a 27-story downtown high-rise that flooded after a sprinkler pipe broke near the top floor could be waiting days or even longer before they are allowed to inhabit the structure again, a Department of Building and Safety official said Wednesday.
The flooding was reported at 1:19 p.m. Monday at 717 W. Olympic Blvd., near Figueroa Street. Water was being restored to the mixed-use building’s fire suppression system when a pipe broke on the 25th floor, flooding the floors below, said Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The building, which houses business and residential tenants, was evacuated and the flow of water to the broken pipe was shut off, he said.
The building remains yellow-tagged, meaning tenants can retrieve property when accompanied by a security escort, but no one can inhabit the building, said Dave Lara of the Department of Building and Safety.
The building’s elevators are inoperable, the result of water damaging electrical circuits and equipment and the landlord must conduct an assessment of all damage and, if necessary, apply for permits from the Department of Building and Safety before repairs can begin.
“It may come down to reconstruction work (depending on the extent of damage found during the assessment)” Lara told City News Service.
The building was yellow-tagged on the recommendation of the fire department, which was working to ensure the fire sprinkler system is operational, Lara said.
Power was also shut down because of all the water, he said.
— City News Service