

This stage requires the deployment of façade access systems. This is the stage to conduct close-up hands-on inspection of at least 10% of each elevation, as identified from Stage 1. Stage 2 - close-up hands-on inspection of each elevation Areas with dilapidation and displacement of façade elements are identified, together with areas with potential falling objects (latent defects), for detailed investigation in Stage 2. Visual aids such as binoculars, cameras with powerful zoom, drones mounted with optical cameras and/or infra-red/laser detectors ( Chew et al., 1997, Chew, 1998) are some of the methods used ( Plate 2). This is the stage to assess the general condition of the building under inspection.

Stage 1 - visual inspection of the entire façade area Table 2 shows an example of inspection checklist for both Stage 1 and Stage 2. The majority of them had fallen due to corrosion of the aluminium rivets holding the friction stays, as well as improper design installation maintenance and wear and tear of the friction stays.
How to adjust zoom in facade signage windows#
Investigations show that about 80% of the fallen windows were casement windows. Figure 6 shows the statistics of window falling off from tall buildings in Singapore. One other potentially high fatal falling object is falling windows. Potential falling objectsĬommon anomalies of different “materials” and “features” which would lead to falling objects are summarised in Figures 4 and 5 ( Chew, 2016, Chew et al., 2018). With their characteristics summarised in Figure 3.Īs most residential buildings in Singapore fall under Type 1 and Type 2, this paper focuses on mass and barrier walls. Legislations worldwide similar in principles to that of Singapore's PFI include: Results and discussions Periodic façade inspection

SS, BS, ISO, EN, AS and ASTM) were incorporated in the databank as the foundation phase for the creation of a viable and evidenced based appraisal system.Ĭase and field study of commonly occurring problems that may lead to falling objects from 450 tall residential buildings were conducted with consideration of factors shown in Table 1.įace-to-face interviews and workshops with the respective professionals involved in the design, construction and operation of the buildings were conducted for detailed investigation on each problem for their (1) problem types (2) extent of problem (3) failure mechanism (4) good practices in design/construction/FM and (5) environmental issues. Relevant global standards relating to maintainability factors (e.g. The state-of-the-art of regional and global counterparts in terms of standards and best practices for façade inspection and maintainability to prevent falling objects from tall buildings were reviewed. A systematic façade inspection regime and a system of evaluation of severity, for the detection and assessment of potential falling objects from tall buildings are presented. This paper discusses a study designed to evaluate the causes of common falling cases and the roles of relevant professionals in preventing or mitigating such occurrences on the outset of the planning/design stage. This new inspection regime is applicable to all buildings taller than 13 m and older than 20 years. Not only have these cases appeared on media headlines, they have gone all the way into the parliament as a serious public safety issue.Ī new legislation on periodic façade inspection (PFI) was passed in Singapore on 6 March 2020, subjecting facades of older tall buildings for a mandatory inspection every seven years by a qualified person for potential falling objects. The city has reported more than 90 incidents in the past three years where parts of facades fell off ( Plate 1). It is not surprising that more and more incidents of falling objects from height have occurred. In the year 2018, the percentage of public residential building in Singapore exceeding the age of 20 and 30 years were 74 and 56%, respectively ( Figures 1 and 2).
How to adjust zoom in facade signage full#
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