Barton 1792 Rickhouse Collapse Raises Questions, May Lead To Fines

EditorJuly 3, 2018

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The damage isn’t over at Barton 1792, following the partial collapse of a rickhouse that left half its contents—some 9,000 barrels—buried under debris or splayed out on the surrounding ground.

Many of those barrels were ruptured to some degree and it was at least three hours before initial spill management measures were in place. Although it remains unknown how many barrels were damaged and how much bourbon was spilled at present, enough ran downhill to contaminate a nearby creek and kill several hundred fish. Now the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is expected to issue fines, and those fines can reach up to $25,000 per day.

The collapsed building, Warehouse 30, was built in the 1940s, so modern building codes do not apply. WDRB contacted Nelson County’s building inspector, responsible for Barton 1792, about the matter.

“This building was built long before any building codes were in affect,” Sapulding said. “That’s up to the individual owner it’s their property. They have the responsibility to make sure the building is built properly.”

As is usual in many parts of the country, an old building is “grandfathered” into new building codes, and thus exempt, unless it is changed in a substantial way. Then it is open to full inspection and code enforcement. The building inspector would also check on the building if the fire marshal indicated a problem, during one of the visits required by laws governing bourbon warehousing.