Artist’s impression of the fifth-floor swimming pool at Cradels.
The glass panels around a fifth-floor swimming pool at a Balestier condominium shattered due to a blocked drain, reported The Straits Times.
Investigations by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) showed that overflowing water from Cradels condominium’s outdoor infinity pool was caught in the narrow drain between the glass wall and the pool wall, causing water pressure to build up and break the glass panels, sending broken glass and water onto the carpark below.
Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident on 8 July.
The professional engineer appointed to investigate the case noted that the glass panels were installed in order to protect people from falling.
“They are not intended or designed to hold any prolonged overflow of water from the swimming pool,” said the BCA.
Acting on the BCA’s instructions, Cradels managing agent Creation Management closed off the fifth floor’s whole common area, including the gym, barbecue pits and the swimming pool.
A spokesman for Creation revealed that the firm is looking into the repair works needed to be done. Plans will be submitted to the BCA for approval before construction.
Residents have been moving into the 125-unit condominium since February 2015.
Speaking in Mandarin, one resident, who wanted to be known only as Ms Chen said: “I used the pool last time but it does not affect me now, though I am concerned that there were no safety measures in the design.”
With this, the BCA said it will issue an advisory reminding building owners to conduct regular inspections as well as proper maintenance of drainage systems situated near safety barriers.
Source: The Straits Times
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
