With high-rise buildings a common sight along Singapore’s skyline, homeowners and occupants can do more to ensure that fallen windows do not become a public hazard and endanger the safety of others.

In the first 11 months of 2019, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) recorded 48 cases of fallen windows, similar to 2018’s full-year figure of 49.

Half of the cases involved casement windows – or windows with a side hinged to a frame – with the most common cause of incidents being corroded aluminum rivets. The rest of the reported cases involved other window types such as sliding windows or louvre. For sliding windows, incidents occurred when proper safety stoppers and angle strips to keep window panels within the tracks were not in place while excessive outward force in opening or closing the windows was applied. 

As evidenced, general wear and tear can cause windows to deteriorate and malfunction over time, and homeowners are advised to check and maintain their windows at least once every six months to ensure that they are in safe and working condition. Homeowners may engage BCA-approved window contractors for inspection or to conduct further installation or repair work.

Engineer Lim Beng Kwee, BCA's Director of Enforcement and Structural Inspection Department said, "Singapore's built environment is made up of mostly high-rise buildings and the risk of injury from fallen windows is high if homeowners and occupants do not take the effort to regularly check and maintain their windows. A little effort to check, clean and change windows can go a long way to ensure the safety of the public and that of our loved ones. Together, we can keep our community safe by doing our part.”

Since 2004, a retrofitting order issued by BCA requires all homeowners to replace all aluminum rivets in casement windows with stainless steel ones. Homeowners can face a penalty of up to S$5,000 and/or jail term of up to six months for failing to replace all aluminum rivets in casement windows with stainless steel rivets. In addition, if a window falls due to lack of maintenance, homeowners can face up to S$10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year, or both. Since 2006, 352 people have been fined and 92 people have been prosecuted for fallen windows.

As a general guide, homeowners can perform the following window maintenance every six months:

• Check that fasteners are not rusty or loose for casement window; and that safety stopper and angle strips are in their proper place
• Clean the tracks and lubricate all joints and moving parts to ensure that they can operate smoothly
• Change all rivets from aluminum to stainless steel; or change worn-out safety stoppers and angle strips by engaging an approved window contractor

Casement window maintenance: check that fasteners are not rusty or loose.

Clean and oil joints or moving parts.

Engage an approved window contractor to change all rivets from aluminium to stainless steel.

Sliding window maintenance: check that safety stoppers and angle strips are in their proper places.

Clean the tracks and ensure window panels can slide smoothly.

Engage an approved window contractor to change worn-out safety stoppers and angle strips.

Find out more windows safety tips or for enquiries on window retrofitting, homeowners can email or call the Window Hotline: 6334 6473 (operating hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 6.00pm).