By Ambiga Raju, Channel NewsAsia, 9 Dec 2011
The number of fallen windows has increased by more than 10 per cent from 50 in 2010, to 56 at the end of November 2011.
In a joint media release on Friday, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has reminded homeowners not to take window safety for granted.
The BCA added that 45 of the 56 fallen windows this year were from HDB homes while the remaining 11 were from private apartments and condominiums.
It added that, while the government introduced legislations to retrofit casement windows with stainless steel rivets, the responsibility of proper window maintenance ultimately lies with the community.
BCA said it is important for homeowners to ensure their windows are regularly checked and maintained.
They can do this by:
- Cleaning and lubricating all moveable window parts regularly
- Checking for any defective window parts and ensuring safety features such as safety stoppers and angle strips for sliding windows are in place
- Changing any worn-out or loosened window parts and replacing aluminium rivets with stainless steel ones for casement windows.
The number of fallen windows has increased by more than 10 per cent from 50 in 2010, to 56 at the end of November 2011.
In a joint media release on Friday, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has reminded homeowners not to take window safety for granted.
The BCA added that 45 of the 56 fallen windows this year were from HDB homes while the remaining 11 were from private apartments and condominiums.
It added that, while the government introduced legislations to retrofit casement windows with stainless steel rivets, the responsibility of proper window maintenance ultimately lies with the community.
BCA said it is important for homeowners to ensure their windows are regularly checked and maintained.
They can do this by:
- Cleaning and lubricating all moveable window parts regularly
- Checking for any defective window parts and ensuring safety features such as safety stoppers and angle strips for sliding windows are in place
- Changing any worn-out or loosened window parts and replacing aluminium rivets with stainless steel ones for casement windows.
In July 2011, a homeowner was prosecuted for a fallen casement window.
During the investigation, aluminium rivets were found on the window panel.
Corroded aluminium rivets were also found on the other casement windows in the same unit.
The owner was charged in court for failure to retrofit the casement window with stainless steel rivets and for not maintaining the window properly.
BCA added that it continues to take a serious stand on window safety and ensuring a built environment safe from falling windows.
Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, homeowners or tenants could face a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year if a window falls due to lack of maintenance.
In addition, if any fallen casement window is found with aluminium rivets, they can also face a further penalty of up to S$5,000 and/or jail term of up to six months, for failing to retrofit the window with stainless steel rivets.
The window maintenance tips for owners and tenants can be found on BCA's website and HDB's website or on Facebook/windowsafety.
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