Unsafe
cladding removed from 17 buildings, 2 more non-compliant cladding
models identified
SINGAPORE: Seventeen buildings have completed the removal of
cladding that do not meet safety requirements under the Fire Code,
the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a press release on
Friday (Dec 8).
SCDF's update follows its announcement earlier this year that 39
buildings had used cladding that did not meet the fire safety
requirements. Five of them later tested compliant.
The discovery of the use of the non-compliant combustible cladding
came after an industrial building at 30 Toh Guan Road caught fire
in May, which resulted in the death of a 54-year-old woman.
Investigations by the SCDF found that the Alubond composite panels
used as cladding on the building's external walls were not
certified as Class 0 as required under the Fire Code.
In its statement on Friday, SCDF said that the removal of the
cladding on the remaining 17 buildings are in progress.
NEW NON-COMPLIANT CLADDING MODELS
IDENTIFIED
SCDF also said that it has identified two more composite panel
models that may not be certified Class 0 as well - Bolliya and
Bolli-Core FR. Seven buildings could be affected, it said.
An additional two building projects could also be affected by other
non-compliant models of composite panels. Investigations are still
ongoing to determine how non-compliant materials were used for
these buildings.
On-site fire safety assessments to inspect ignition sources and
escape routes were also conducted by the SCDF on the new buildings
identified to have other non-compliant cladding models.
According to the SCDF, all affected building owners have been
contacted and if non-compliant cladding is found, the building
owners must work with qualified persons to remove the cladding
within 60 days.
The building owners must also strengthen fire safety practices by
ensuring their fire safety systems are in good order, removing fire
hazards and being vigilant.
The SCDF will be working with certification bodies and qualified
persons to check if there are other buildings with non-compliant
cladding by having an annual audit for all current composite panels
that meet the Fire Code.
Information on whether buildings meet the Fire Code requirements
will also have to submitted systematically to the SCDF.
Plans to tightened fire safety regulations and certification
processes are currently under review and will be announced next
year.
Source: CNA/aa
