The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has recorded 43 cases of fallen windows from HDB and private homes for the first eleven months of 2014.
16 of those cases happened from June to November.
“One fallen window is one too many. It can pose a safety risk to the public and potentially be fatal. Everyone can play a part in making our home and our living environment safer. Because lives may be at stake, we urge homeowners to be responsible in checking and cleaning their windows twice a year, and if need be, change them,” BCA CEO Dr John Keung said.
Source: BCA-HDB
Casement windows that gave way and fell this year were found to have corroded aluminium rivets which were used to secure the friction stays of the window, according to a joint statement by BCA and HDB.
Sliding windows that fell did not have safety stoppers and angle strips to secure the window panels, and the windows were not able to slide smoothly along the tracks. “These could have been prevented if homeowners had retrofitted aluminium rivets of casement windows with stainless steel ones and maintained their windows regularly,” authorities said.
Homeowners can be fined up to $5,000 and/or face jail term of up to six months for failing to replace all aluminium rivets in casement windows with stainless steel rivets, and if a window falls due to lack of maintenance, they can face up to a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year.
To reinforce the importance of window safety, BCA continued its community outreach efforts this year by conducting 18 window safety roving exhibitions in various neighbourhoods. These exhibitions provide homeowners with advice on simple window maintenance.
1.2 million households were also given a brochure on window maintenance tips (pictured).
In 2012, there were 71 cases of fallen windows while 2013 recorded 43 cases for the entire year.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
