[Skybird]

FOCUS writes:
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Just two years ago, the giant aquarium in Berlin was extensively renovated. Last week, the aquadome burst. According to an expert, it was a catastrophe with a forecast.

Last week, the giant aquarium Aquadom in Berlin burst. A disaster for the fish living in it and the hotel Radisson Blu. According to an expert however a disaster with announcement. The former owner of the company "Schuran Seawater Equipment," Hermann Schuran, told the "Bild" newspaper: "This is a time bomb." It is not possible to say in general how long such an aquarium will last, he said. "There are calculation examples with 25 years."

The Aquadom got approval more than 20 years ago. It should have been said at the time of construction that the dome would not last forever, Schuran said. The Dutchman also had the project on his desk at the time, but turned it down.

Schuran continued, "The whole aquarium would have had to be heated to 80 degrees with a furnace after construction and later after renovation." He added that this was costly, but if it was not done, stress cracks could develop in the glass. He explained to the "Bild" newspaper, "As an operator, you have such a structure checked at least every two years. Otherwise, it's negligent."

As "Bild" further reports, the special permit to inspect the structure at the time did not include any specific regulations. However, it is said to have included the obligation that "the owner and operator, regularly inspect the condition of the structure and its individual parts."

Most recently, the Aquadome was refurbished without dismantling until the summer of 2020 at a cost of 2.6 million euros. Two years later, it broke.
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