Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on low-rise private buildings without lifts
Nov 7, 2016
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for National Development
(a) what is the number of private buildings above three storeys that do not have lifts installed; and
(b) whether there are plans to ensure or encourage owners of such private buildings to install lifts for easier accessibility by the elderly and less able-bodied.
Answer:
Currently, our Building Control Regulations require buildings of 5 storeys or more to be provided with passenger lifts. Lift provision is not mandatory for buildings under 5 storeys. Hence, about 370 existing low rise commercial and institutional buildings do not have lifts installed.
To nudge private building owners to voluntarily upgrade their buildings, BCA provides incentives via the $40-million Accessibility Fund. The Fund co-pays up to 80% of the construction costs for lift provision, capped at $300,000 per development. To date, the Fund has supported lift installations in 79 developments. We have recently extended the availability of the Fund until March 2022.