Window view of housing authority apartment. (File photo: today)

Singapore: Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Housing Development Board (HDB) stated on Saturday (December 11) that there were 43 cases of window drops in the first 11 months of this year, mainly involving casement windows.

According to a joint release, there were 22 casement windows, 16 sliding windows, and 5 other window types such as shutters.

BCA and HDB stated that the reported case did not cause any injuries. 

Corroded aluminum rivets were found to be the main cause of the casement window falling. Since 2004, homeowners have been required to replace all aluminum rivets in such windows with stainless steel rivets.

BCA and HDB recommend that homeowners check for rust or loose fasteners every six months. Joints and moving parts should also be oiled.

Due to the lack of proper safety plugs and angle steel bars, most sliding windows will fall.

Authorities stated that when “excessive force” is applied when opening or closing windows, the window panels will fall off and fall. It is recommended that the homeowner ensure that such plugs and angle steel bars are installed in place and replaced in time when they are worn out.

During the same period this year, BCA stated that it had received 12 warnings of poorly maintained windows and about to fall off.

The authorities said: “For public safety, BCA has cooperated with the Housing and Development Bureau to allow the owners of these cases to quickly appoint an approved window contractor to inspect and repair their windows.” 

Thanabal Kaliannan, BCA Building Resilience Group Director, said: “Because of the many high-rise buildings and dense built environment in Singapore, every window that falls is dangerous and may cause death or serious injury.

"All homeowners and residents can reduce this risk by regularly inspecting and maintaining windows."

A homeowner who fails to replace all the aluminum rivets on the casement windows with stainless steel rivets may be fined up to S$5,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

If windows fall due to lack of maintenance, homeowners may face fines of up to S$10,000, up to one year in prison, or both. 

Since 2006, 388 people have been fined for falling windows and 92 people have been prosecuted.

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