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SINGAPORE: Building defects come in many forms, including cracks, corrosion and spalling concrete.<\/p>\n
For inspectors, the challenge is determining which are minor and which could signal a more serious problem.<\/p>\n
On top of hands-on checks, they also use drones to scan facades and tiny cameras to look at structural components hidden from view.<\/p>\n
CNA examines how building inspections are carried out in Singapore, how defects are assessed and what happens when problems are found.<\/p>\n
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which regulates building safety in Singapore, has two inspection regimes \u2013 one covering the structural condition of buildings and another focusing on their facades.<\/p>\n
Under the Periodic Structural Inspection regime, non-residential buildings are inspected every five years. Residential buildings covered by the regime are inspected every 10 years, excluding landed properties and temporary buildings.<\/p>\n
Engineers assess critical structural components such as foundations, columns, beams and floors for signs of defects or deterioration.<\/p>\n
More than 600 buildings were found with structural defects each year from 2023 to 2025, out of more than 7,000 buildings inspected annually, according to BCA data.<\/p>\n
The authority added that immediate remedial action was taken in those cases.<\/p>\n
Overall, about 91 per cent of buildings inspected over the three-year period had either no defects or only minor ones.<\/p>\n
Common minor defects include plaster cracks and water seepage, while more serious problems can include corrosion and spalling concrete.<\/p>\n
Facade inspections, meanwhile, are required every seven years for buildings that are more than 20 years old and taller than 13 metres.<\/p>\n
Common minor facade problems include hairline cracks and peeling paint. More significant defects can include spalling concrete and loose cladding panels, which require repair.<\/p>\n
Regular inspections are meant to identify defects early, so repairs can be carried out before problems worsen, the authority said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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