Chew, M Y L (2021) Façade inspection for falling objects from tall buildings in Singapore. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 41(6), pp. 162-183. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: This paper highlights a crucial public safety issue due to falling objects from tall residential buildings in Singapore. 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. Design/methodology/approach: The research uses qualitative case study approach with 450 tall residential buildings sampled for the study. The common materials, elements, components with high risk of falling objects, the nature and type of the falling, the critical factors affecting the falling, the respective level of severity, and the effectiveness of various diagnostic techniques and protocols, are summarised. Findings: Façade for tall residential buildings in Singapore comprises mainly cementitious materials cast in situ or precast, with fixtures and architectural features, all of which have potential of falling. The common anomalies arising from each material and fixture/features are identified, the causes evaluated and their implications to future design, construction and maintenance analysed. Originality/value: This study provides original and significant information to a crucial public safety issue, setting design and construction criteria that will serve as a benchmark for new and existing facades, applicable to all cities dominated by tall buildings. The paper presents original figures, checklists and guides as a basis for readers' consideration to use according to their respective unique conditions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building diagnostics; building pathology; falling objects; façade inspection; maintainability of facilities; public safety |
| Index terms: | methodology, public safety, maintainability, tall building, building pathology, effectiveness, design and construction, in-situ, critical factor, inspection, case study, residential building, Singapore |
| Subjects: | construction type, risk assessment, data collection methods, contractual arrangements, professional practice, performance management, research methods, maintenance engineering, Geography, emergency and crisis management, building construction, quality assurance |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Design Practice, Procurement, Construction Technology, Risk Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here