The first reinforced concrete high rise was doomed to fail - but it didn't:

http://www.concretecontractor.com/concrete-construction-projects/ingalls-building/

In other than dwelling units, toilet and bathing room floors shall have a smooth, hard nonabsorbent surface.....Sheet vinyl is not approved, neither are epoxy coatings, but is this? Or, "We don't need no stinking ICC-ES approvals!

http://www.norarubber.com/Products/Design/produkt_us.cfm?prdnr=482&prdvarnr=3&pfamnr=110

100 years of service for a retaining wall? See for yourself!

http://www.erosioncontrol.com/ecm_0609_form.html

See our soapbox about the Chemical Safety Board this issue? Here is some news about profitability over human lives to peruse:

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/84/8430globaltop50.html

12 Common Blunders in Chem alarm Systems:

http://www.chemicalprocessing.com/articles/2006/091.html

Control Rooms Still a Challenge:

http://www.controlglobal.com/articles/2007/250.html