Debated in Parliament on 18 Aug 2015.
Mr Arthur Fong asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB will consider (i) installing double-glazed windows for the bedrooms of flats that are to be built near MRT lines, expressways or busy trunk roads leading to and from expressways; (ii) retrofitting existing bedroom casement windows to double-glazed windows; and (iii) including the retrofitting programme for flats built near noisy junctions or roads with heavy traffic.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yi Shyan) (for the Minister for National Development) : Mdm Speaker, Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are designed to maximise natural ventilation through open windows. HDB's single-glazed windows would reduce noise when the windows are closed, although this would also cut out natural ventilation. We have no plan to retrofit HDB flats with double-glazed windows as it is not necessary.
When planning HDB towns/estates, HDB would conduct noise modelling with a view to locate and orientate the buildings in such a way as to help minimise noise to the dwelling units. For example, multi-storey car parks would be located between blocks and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines or expressways to act as noise buffers.
Residents, however, who wish to install double-glazed windows as an added measure can apply to HDB for evaluation.
Mdm Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. A supplementary question. Would the Ministry of National Development (MND) or HDB consider putting double-glazed windows for bedrooms into the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) options in the future?
Mr Lee Yi Shyan: Mdm Speaker, there is no plan to include it in HIP as of now. In fact, we are sympathetic to some of the dwelling units that are facing either the expressways or the MRT lines or stations. There is a multi-agency effort in addressing the noise level at the housing estates. For example, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has started to install noise barriers between the expressways and some HDB flats that are very close by, and also between MRT stations and the nearby flats. The trial installation is ongoing. The results are not known yet but, from studies elsewhere, we know that noise barriers are effective only if the houses being shielded are of the same height as the barrier. But for higher-rise flats with a direct line of sight to the noise source, the noise barrier may not be effective.
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In Singapore's situation, we have many high-rise buildings overlooking expressways and MRT stations. Hence, the mitigation effects of noise barriers might be limited. We will continue to look for good solutions.
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