Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on design, construction and maintenance of HDB flats

Jul 10, 2018

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development 

a) how well-equipped are today's HDB flats for withstanding strong winds and rain; and 

b) whether regular inspections are done on structures which may be prone to decay from dampness

Answer: 

In designing and constructing HDB flats, HDB ensures that all its buildings, including the external facade features, are designed to resist forces due to wind and rain, and conform to the approved Codes of Practice, the Building Control Act and Regulations and Statutory requirements.  Durable materials such as reinforced concrete, aluminum and stainless steel are used.  Inspections are also done during construction to make sure the works are done properly.  In the case of claddings and fixtures, these are usually designed and inspected by a Specialist Qualified Person.

Post-construction, there are various inspection regimes in place to ensure HDB buildings are well maintained and remain structurally sound.  For example, the Periodic Structural Inspection (PSI) regime that ensures that buildings are regularly checked for structural defects, so that these can be rectified early to keep the buildings structurally safe for continued occupation.   

For HDB building facades, Town Councils are responsible for their maintenance under the Town Councils Act.  The Town Councils conduct regular visual inspections on the building facades, and where necessary, engage a Qualified Person to follow up on the repairs.  In addition, HDB conducts annual audit inspections of selected blocks, with a focus on buildings with more façade elements. 

These various regulatory and inspection regimes have ensured our HDB buildings are safe.  Nevertheless, no regime is 100% foolproof.  We will continue to review our policies and benchmark against other high-rise high-density cities to identify areas for improvement.  Everyone has a role to play in ensuring a safe living environment.  We therefore also encourage residents to report any defects or potential issues to the relevant authorities.