Concrete Slabs Covering Water Tanks at Roof-tops of HDB Flats

Debated in Parliament on 8 Nov 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HDB could explore building concrete slabs over water tanks and pipes on rooftops of old flats to prevent water from becoming too hot due to sun exposure.
Lawrence Wong explained that water tanks in older HDB blocks are housed indoors and not directly exposed to sunlight, so the issue likely stems from outdoor distribution pipes being heated by the sun.
He noted that adding concrete slabs may not solve the problem and could strain the building structure, suggesting alternatives like installing PVC pipe covers or using reflective paints.
Town Councils are encouraged to consider these feasible measures to insulate pipes and reduce water temperature issues during hot weather.

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Gan Thiam Poh

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB can explore building concrete slabs over water tanks and pipes at the roof top of old HDB flats or other effective methods to cover the tanks and pipes to prevent them from being exposed under strong sunlight as a result of which water flowing out from the taps in the flats will not be overly hot for use.

Lawrence Wong

In older Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks, the water tanks are housed in the roof top water tank rooms, which are not exposed to direct sunlight. Hence, water tanks might not be the cause of the feedback on hot water flowing out of the taps of some flats during hot weather. The likely cause is exposure of the main water distribution pipes to the sun's heat, especially for pipes running over a long distance due to the block’s configuration of a long span.

It is thus doubtful that the suggestion to build concrete slabs as shelter for the tanks and pipes will address the problem. In addition, the building structure and rooftop of HDB blocks may not be designed to take such additional load. There are other feasible ways to mitigate the extent of water pipes being heated up. Town Councils could install rigid PVC pipes as a cover over the water pipes to provide some insulation. For shorter water pipes, reflective paints could also be used to reflect solar radiation.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HDB could explore building concrete slabs over water tanks and pipes on rooftops of old flats to prevent water from becoming too hot due to sun exposure.
Lawrence Wong explained that water tanks in older HDB blocks are housed indoors and not directly exposed to sunlight, so the issue likely stems from outdoor distribution pipes being heated by the sun.
He noted that adding concrete slabs may not solve the problem and could strain the building structure, suggesting alternatives like installing PVC pipe covers or using reflective paints.
Town Councils are encouraged to consider these feasible measures to insulate pipes and reduce water temperature issues during hot weather.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Concrete Slabs Covering Water Tanks at Roof-tops of HDB Flats | PAPERCUTS

Concrete Slabs Covering Water Tanks at Roof-tops of HDB Flats

Debated in Parliament on 8 Nov 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HDB could explore building concrete slabs over water tanks and pipes on rooftops of old flats to prevent water from becoming too hot due to sun exposure.
Lawrence Wong explained that water tanks in older HDB blocks are housed indoors and not directly exposed to sunlight, so the issue likely stems from outdoor distribution pipes being heated by the sun.
He noted that adding concrete slabs may not solve the problem and could strain the building structure, suggesting alternatives like installing PVC pipe covers or using reflective paints.
Town Councils are encouraged to consider these feasible measures to insulate pipes and reduce water temperature issues during hot weather.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether HDB could explore building concrete slabs over water tanks and pipes on rooftops of old flats to prevent water from becoming too hot due to sun exposure.
Lawrence Wong explained that water tanks in older HDB blocks are housed indoors and not directly exposed to sunlight, so the issue likely stems from outdoor distribution pipes being heated by the sun.
He noted that adding concrete slabs may not solve the problem and could strain the building structure, suggesting alternatives like installing PVC pipe covers or using reflective paints.
Town Councils are encouraged to consider these feasible measures to insulate pipes and reduce water temperature issues during hot weather.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Concrete Slabs Covering Water Tanks at Roof-tops of HDB Flats

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified

Concrete Slabs Covering Water Tanks at Roof-tops of HDB Flats

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified