Mandating Cyclical Improvement Requirements for Critical Building Systems in Private Developments

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider introducing mandatory cyclical improvement requirements for critical building systems in private developments, such as lifts, roofing and electrical systems; and (b) if not, what safeguards exist to ensure that ageing private estates undertake such improvements in a timely manner under the current voluntary framework.

There are currently no plans to introduce mandatory cyclical improvement requirements for critical building systems in private developments. Mandatory upgrades at a fixed frequency or when systems meet a certain age may not be practical, as the failure risk of these systems can vary widely in lifespan and usage patterns.

To safeguard public safety, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) requires building owners to carry out periodic inspections for key systems. For instance, lifts must be inspected annually. There are requirements for building facades, including roofs, to be inspected at least once every seven years under the periodic facade inspection regime. Where there are findings from the inspections, building owners are responsible to implement remedial actions. BCA is also reviewing measures to ensure that ageing lifts and escalators keep pace with modern safety standards, such as through the inclusion of features that regulate their speed and movement.

Under the Building (Strata Management) Act (BSMA), the responsibility for the proper maintenance and upkeep of strata developments rests with the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) and collectively, the subsidiary proprietors. As part of the ongoing BSMA review, BCA is studying ways to help MCST plan for and work towards having adequate sinking funds for essential maintenance or upgrades.