Penalty for Dislodged Air-conditioning Units

Debated in Parliament on 10 Oct 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

In the past five years, three cases were recorded where air-conditioning units fell off flats, with homeowners issued composition fines under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act for improper maintenance.
The Building and Construction Authority can issue notices for improvement works and take enforcement actions, while new buildings are required to have safe designs like concrete ledges or steel casings for air-conditioning units.
Installation of external air-conditioning units must be done by trained installers to comply with safety regulations, and the government has partnered with Town Councils to educate residents on maintenance responsibilities.
The government emphasises that homeowners should check their units every six months for loose or corroded parts, acknowledging that while incidents are rare, continued vigilance is essential for public safety.

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Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the last five years, how many home owners have been prosecuted or penalised for their air-conditioners falling off from their flats due to improper maintenance; and (b) whether the current measures to protect a person's safety from falling air-conditioners is sufficient.

Lawrence Wong

There have been three cases in the past five years where air-conditioners became dislodged and fell. As homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of their air-conditioning units and their accompanying installations, the homeowners in these cases were issued composition fines under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA).

Under the BMSMA, BCA can issue a Notice to homeowners to carry out improvement works to their air-conditioning units, should there be evidence of disrepair. This includes installations like the metal brackets holding the air-conditioning units in place. The Act also allows for errant homeowners to be issued composition fines or prosecuted.

To reduce the risk of incidents, new buildings are designed with concrete ledges or steel casings to hold the air-conditioning units. In addition, the installation of air-conditioning units on the building exterior can only be performed by trained installers. This is to ensure that the work complies with safety requirements and that it is carried out in the manner stipulated under the Building Control Regulations. MND also worked with Town Councils to disseminate flyers informing residents of their responsibilities for maintaining their air-conditioning units.

While the occurrence of falling air-conditioning units is rare, we cannot be complacent. The Government will continue to engage homeowners and remind them of the role that they play in creating a safe living environment. Homeowners should also carry out checks every six months to ensure that there are no loosened or corroded parts in their air-conditioning units, as well as in the installations that hold these units in place.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

In the past five years, three cases were recorded where air-conditioning units fell off flats, with homeowners issued composition fines under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act for improper maintenance.
The Building and Construction Authority can issue notices for improvement works and take enforcement actions, while new buildings are required to have safe designs like concrete ledges or steel casings for air-conditioning units.
Installation of external air-conditioning units must be done by trained installers to comply with safety regulations, and the government has partnered with Town Councils to educate residents on maintenance responsibilities.
The government emphasises that homeowners should check their units every six months for loose or corroded parts, acknowledging that while incidents are rare, continued vigilance is essential for public safety.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Penalty for Dislodged Air-conditioning Units | PAPERCUTS

Penalty for Dislodged Air-conditioning Units

Debated in Parliament on 10 Oct 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

In the past five years, three cases were recorded where air-conditioning units fell off flats, with homeowners issued composition fines under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act for improper maintenance.
The Building and Construction Authority can issue notices for improvement works and take enforcement actions, while new buildings are required to have safe designs like concrete ledges or steel casings for air-conditioning units.
Installation of external air-conditioning units must be done by trained installers to comply with safety regulations, and the government has partnered with Town Councils to educate residents on maintenance responsibilities.
The government emphasises that homeowners should check their units every six months for loose or corroded parts, acknowledging that while incidents are rare, continued vigilance is essential for public safety.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary written by AI (learn more)

In the past five years, three cases were recorded where air-conditioning units fell off flats, with homeowners issued composition fines under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act for improper maintenance.
The Building and Construction Authority can issue notices for improvement works and take enforcement actions, while new buildings are required to have safe designs like concrete ledges or steel casings for air-conditioning units.
Installation of external air-conditioning units must be done by trained installers to comply with safety regulations, and the government has partnered with Town Councils to educate residents on maintenance responsibilities.
The government emphasises that homeowners should check their units every six months for loose or corroded parts, acknowledging that while incidents are rare, continued vigilance is essential for public safety.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Penalty for Dislodged Air-conditioning Units

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified

Penalty for Dislodged Air-conditioning Units

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Lawrence Wong

Summary

Questions Identified