Debated in Parliament on 16 Oct 2012.
Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for National Development how are Town Councils required to regulate and enforce the way in which HDB lift lobbies are used by residents, including the placing of objects, such as bicycles and flower pots, where they do not pose safety and evacuation concerns according to SCDF guidelines.
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Town Councils can put in place by-laws to regulate the use of the common property, such as HDB lift lobbies. They typically follow the SCDF's guidelines. The guidelines require a free passage of minimally 1.2 metres for mass evacuation or the movement of casualties in an emergency. Placement of combustible items is strictly disallowed, no matter how much clearance there is at the lobby.
It is important that residents comply with these by-laws to ensure that the common areas are not cluttered with items that could pose as fire hazards and hamper fire-fighting and evacuation in emergencies.
Besides SCDF's guidelines, most Town Councils will also discourage residents from placing objects at the lift lobbies as these areas require wider passageways to accommodate the residents who wait for the lifts. This is a good practice as such considerate behaviour would help avoid neighbourly disputes, and ensure a safe and pleasant living environment for all.
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