SINGAPORE - The Building and Construction Authority said that there were 35 cases of fallen windows from buildings in the first 11 months of 2023.
It found that corroded aluminium rivets was a main cause of falling casement windows and there was a lack of safety stoppers for sliding windows.
Windows are constantly subjected to various weather elements, such as wind and rain, and may deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. Hence, it is important to check and maintain windows regularly to ensure safety. Homeowners and occupants should make window safety a priority by following these three steps: check, clean, change.
If a window falls due to lack of maintenance, owners can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year or both.
Installation and Retrofitting of Windows
The installation or retrofitting of windows must be carried out by an approved window contractor and a trained window installer. An approved window contractor is a company or firm registered with the BCA Contractors Registry under the regulatory workhead RW01.
The installation of windows can also be carried out by a builder. A builder is a company or firm registered with the BCA Contractors Registry under the general builder workhead GB1 or GB2.
Replacement and Reinstatement of Safety Barriers Integrated with a Window
A safety barrier integrated with a window means a barrier:
- that is put in place to prevent a person from falling from height where there is a vertical drop of 1,000 milimetres or more; and
- that is integrated with a window
Homeowners are required to engage the services of a Professional Engineer to design and submit structural plans to BCA for the replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window works.
To reduce the cost and time for building owners and homeowners, BCA has developed a set of Standardised Designs that building owners or homeowners may adopt for replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window. The replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window in accordance with the Standardised Designs will be considered as ”insignificant building works” and building owners or homeowners do not need to engage a Professional Engineer to design the replacement or reinstatement works or obtain the plan approval and permit from the Commissioner of Building Control.
However, the building owners or homeowners are required to engage an approved window contractor or a builder with a trained window installer who has completed the Module on Replacement and Reinstatement of Safety Barriers Integrated with Windows, to carry out the works.
Click here for more information.
Find an Approved Window Contractor
Refer to the list of Approved Window Contractors registered with BCA.
If you are staying in a HDB flat, you should refer to the HDB’s List of BCA Approved Window Contractors.
Windows Maintenance
It is important to check and repair windows regularly to ensure they remain safe and secure. If a window falls due to lack of maintenance, owners can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year or both.
Tip: Simply remember these two dates, 6 June (6/6) and 12 December (12/12) to check your windows’ conditions regularly.
Watch the video to learn three easy steps to check and ensure the safety of your windows.
Maintenance advice
For Casement windows
Using a mirror, check that fasteners are not rusty or loose. Screws and rivets are located at the top and underside of the window panel.
Clean and oil joints or moving parts.
Change all rivets from aluminium to stainless steel by engaging an approved window contractor.
Check PVC corner brackets (if used) of window frame for signs of deterioration (ie. discolouration, crack, chip off). Engage approved window contractor to replace with zinc-casted corner brackets or replace window.
For Sliding windows
Check that safety stoppers and angle strips are in their proper places.
Clean the tracks and ensure window panels can slide smoothly.
Change worn-out safety stoppers and angle strips by engaging an approved window contractor.
For Louvered windows
Check that glass panes are secure and they are not cracked or broken. Ensure that the level lock works properly.
Clean and oil joints or moving parts.
Change damaged parts or replace windows by engaging an approved window contractor.
