In Singapore have been 35 cases of fallen windows from Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats reported in the first 11 months of 2023. More than half of these incidents, specifically 19 cases, involved casement windows. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) identified the corrosion and weakening of aluminium rivets as the main cause for the fallen casement windows. Since 2004, it has been mandatory for homeowners to replace all aluminium rivets in casement windows with stainless steel ones.
For sliding windows, the absence of proper safety stoppers and angle strips, which keep window panels within the tracks, was found to be a contributing factor. The lack of these safety features can lead to windows becoming detached and falling when excessive outward force is applied while opening or closing them.
To mitigate these risks, BCA advises owners and occupiers of HDB flats to regularly check and maintain their windows. For casement windows, this includes ensuring fasteners are not rusty or loose, oiling joints or moving parts, and replacing aluminium rivets with stainless steel ones. For sliding windows, homeowners should ensure that safety stoppers and angle strips are in place and not worn out.
Homeowners who fail to replace aluminium rivets in casement windows with stainless steel ones can face fines up to S$5,000 or jail time up to six months, or both. Additionally, if a window falls due to a lack of maintenance, homeowners can be fined up to S$10,000 or face up to one year in jail, or both.
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