askST: How can I make sure my home renovation is carried out safely?

SINGAPORE – On Wednesday (June 8), a bogus ceiling became detached from the concrete ceiling in a family’s learn bedroom and arrived crashing down on their beds.

The composition was mounted significantly less than 50 % a 12 months in the past, and reportedly weighed in excess of 100kg. Even even though no just one was hurt, the incident still left the spouse and children traumatised and their bedroom in ruins.

Renovation authorities Jackie Lai, a council member of the Singapore Interior Design and style Accreditation Council (Sidac), and Kelly Chin, who sits on the council of the Culture of Interior Designers Singapore (Sids), describe what to search out for when it comes to installing phony ceilings, and residence renovation in normal.

Q: What elements would result in untrue ceilings to detach?

Ms Chin: Bogus ceilings can drop if they are not properly secured to the concrete ceiling and absence assist buildings. Inappropriate ceiling anchor bolts can also lead to a untrue ceiling to collapse.

Mishaps can materialize as a consequence of shoddy function or when inferior materials are utilised.

Q: What permits are essential for renovation do the job and what can be finished to be certain that this sort of incidents do not recur?

Ms Chin: HDB can involve all contractors or corporations which set up untrue ceilings to be registered and certified, or retrain or upskill their staff every two to 3 many years to make positive absolutely everyone has the right ability sets.

Mr Lai: Flat owners are required to interact HDB-registered renovation contractors.

Even though the installation of a wrong ceiling does not need a permit, contractors have to continue to comply with HDB’s renovation recommendations.

For commercial units, it is obligatory to post store ceiling drawings and use accredited materials. In some situations, a pull-out test may well be necessary. (The take a look at entails attaching a acceptable check rig to the bolt, screw, anchor or correcting, which is then place below the tension load stage specified in the style to determine how robust and secure the repairing is.)

Q: How can property house owners make sure that they have engaged accredited or trusted contractors and inside designers?

Mr Lai: They should engage inside designers who are accredited by Sidac, such as qualified interior design and style consultants and renovation inside designers.

Unqualified persons and corporations provide disrepute to the interior style sector with their lousy workmanship and bad services.

Household entrepreneurs who have already engaged a contractor can also hire an accredited interior layout advisor as extra coverage.