Singapore building's concrete structure collapses, luckily no injuries

[ASEAN NOW News]

Building collapse of a concrete structure on the top level of an industrial building at Bedok Industrial Park on Aug 22, 2021. ( CNA reader)

 

SINGAPORE: A section of concrete structure on the top level of an industrial building in Bedok collapsed yesterday morning (Aug 22).

 

Luckily no injuries were reported.

 

According to CNA, the incident took place at 3013 Bedok Industrial Park E. The 40m-long concrete section fell four stories to the ground, scattering debris, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

 

SCDF was alerted to the event at 9.20am. Officers conducted a search of the affected area and did not find anyone trapped.
 

The debris fell onto a driveway at the foot of the building, according to an eyewitness.

 

Some small trees along the driveway appeared to be snapped in half by the falling debris. Apart from the remaining section of the concrete structure on the roof, the rest of the building looked to be mostly undamaged. 

 

A spokesperson for the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said building owner JTC has cordoned off the areas directly below the "dislodged concrete sunshade" for public safety.

 

JTC has also mobilised equipment to remove the remaining part of the sunshade that is still hanging at the edge of the roof.

 

The authority added that it also directed JTC to engage a professional engineer to advise on the necessary measures to remove the dislodged sunshade, carry out a detailed investigation and recommend permanent rectification works.

 

"As an added safety precaution, the building owner’s professional engineer is also required to inspect three other adjacent blocks in the area with similar concrete sunshade design," BCA said. 

 

"BCA and the professional engineer engaged by JTC have inspected and assessed that the structural integrity of the main building is not affected."

 

Building collapses seem to be now happening more frequently now, such as the condo building collapsing recently in Miami.

 

With the boom of building taking place after World War II and during the property expansion of the last 50 years, many of Singapore older buildings maybe in need of urgent repairs.

 

This concern on aging concrete used will soon become a problem for many older buildings across Singapore and in SE Asia as well.