It has been less than ten years since the ECB moved to its new headquarters. The chic tower on the Main promised high-tech. But technical deficiencies caused problems until the end.
At the beginning of February 2018, inspectors from TÜV arrived at the headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt am Main. The fire protection was to be tested in the ECB Tower, which was moved into four years ago – in the event of a power failure from outside. Engineers and technicians from service companies and suppliers were on site during the tests.
The new ECB skyscraper went dark and stayed that way. The automatic emergency power system did not start. Sprinklers, smoke extraction systems, lighting, computers and elevators were shut down. In order to save what could be saved, the experts intervened. But the inadequate automatic system got in the way. It was only possible to outwit the technology because there were a large number of experts on site. After a 20-minute blackout, the ECB was back online and the test failed.
“Such things are normal”
Since then, an extensive secret operation has been carried out. The official project outline (“Project Charter”) speaks of “life-saving energy supply”. To the outside world it is presented as routine. “Such things are normal and to be expected in a building of this size,” writes the ECB press office. “There were no risks to ECB staff throughout the entire process.” When the headquarters was completely shut down for five weeks this summer for installation and testing, the staff was told that it was a matter of “improving the electrical system.”
The Hessian radio has obtained access to internal documents via European transparency rules. Although only three essential documents were issued – and with delays and extensive redactions – it is clear: the ECB has been poorly prepared against external influences and accidents since it was first issued in November 2014. Fire protection and rescue in the event of a fire did not work properly. Some deficiencies still exist today.
Central point of European financial flows
The ECB headquarters is not just any skyscraper. It was built for the special needs and high security requirements of the ECB. This is where the computers are used to book trillions of dollars. This is where the people who control essential functions of banks and public finances across Europe sit. The striking high-rise is secured like no other building in Frankfurt. The company cannot move, nor can tradesmen come through.
The data center, the computer system and the security systems were directly affected by the electrical problems, according to the official project outline. Even a small fire could have had a domino effect with the catastrophe scenarios “loss of the building” or “loss of the computer center”.
Hundreds of defects in the TÜV report
The TÜV report from February 3, 2018 revealed 1,800 defects, some of them serious, due to a construction that was far too complicated. It also reveals bungling and negligence. The emergency generators, if they were running, were not protected against overload and were in danger of burning out due to the ECB’s high electricity demand. Double lines to the smoke extraction system on the escape routes were laid together, so there was no protection against destruction.
In the event of a fire, the inspectors feared high pressure in technical rooms on upper floors. Since these rooms were not secured, parts of the glass facade were in danger of being blown off. Those fleeing and rescue workers would have been put at risk. Cables were hanging loosely from the ceiling, incorrect cables had been connected and correct cables had been connected incorrectly. Bare cable ends were hanging around.
In addition, error messages were ignored. Dozens of permits, plans, calculations and certificates were missing, incorrect – or they had been corrected by hand. The ECB’s internal project outline documents that after the tests at the beginning of 2018, those responsible had to leave due to incompetence.
Still critical points
The ECB announces that the restructuring has now been practically completed. Most of the 654 significant deficiencies appear to have been remedied in a comprehensible manner.
During an inspection at the end of August 2023, the TÜV noted that the central innovation for emergency control, the so-called “NOTS system”, was working well in principle. However, the control cabinets are not cooled. The inspectors measured temperatures of over 50 degrees and warned of “component failure”. The automatic system could also still become uncontrolled if technicians lend a hand in an emergency. Malfunctions cannot be tested for the two emergency generators. In the worst case scenario, this could “lead to the destruction of the unit,” wrote the TÜV in February 2018 and again word for word in August 2023. The fire service elevators, which actually work, still lack protection against excessive electrical voltage.
The European Central Bank praised the “technical efficiency” of the building in 2021. The “Energy and Technology Concept” was highlighted. The architect and electrical planner worked closely together from the start to optimize efficiency and sustainability. What is not mentioned is that the electrical designer went bankrupt during the project and had to be replaced halfway through.
The Himmelb(l)au office of the Viennese star architect Wolf D. Prix did not want to respond to inquiries. The technical operator of the high-rise, the Frankfurt company Wiesag Facility Service, explains that it has nothing to do with the construction. No information is allowed to be given about operational problems.