Yishun resident taken to hospital after spalling concrete falls in HDB flat

SINGAPORE: A 65-year-old man was taken to hospital after spalling concrete fell in the bathroom of his flat in Yishun on Thursday (Jun 19). 

In response to queries from CNA on Friday, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said its officers were alerted to the accident at Block 127 Yishun Street 11.

"The incident resulted in injuries to a 65-year-old resident. Upon being notified, our officers conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon and found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the master bedroom bathroom," it said. 

HDB also inspected the whole flat and found "slight bulging of concrete" in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom. 

"While there is no sign of the imminent spalling of concrete at the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom, for the residents’ peace of mind and safety, HDB has arranged for our contractor to remove the bulging concrete next Monday," it added. 

HDB is assisting the flat owners with repairs under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme, where it will subsidise 50 per cent of the cost. 

"Given the family's financial situation, their case is being referred to the local grassroots for financial assistance," HDB added.

Minister for Home Affairs, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, K Shanmugam, visited the affected flat.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Shanmugam said the owner of the flat is in hospital receiving treatment.

He added that he spoke with the man's wife and informed her that assistance would be given, including on payment for the repair works. 

"My volunteers are linking with HDB and Town Council on the matter," he wrote.

HDB added that it will continue to provide assistance and support to the affected resident and his family.

In response to CNA's queries, the Nee Soon Town Council said on Monday that "help will be provided to cover most of the (family's) expenses". 

According to the town council, it is responsible for maintaining common areas outside the residents’ flats, while residents are responsible for the upkeep of their units. 

"But there are schemes to help residents when there is a problem with spalling concrete," it said. Besides the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme, there is also the Home Fix scheme.

THE INCIDENT

The man's daughter told CNA the incident happened in the wee hours of Thursday between 4.30am and 5am. 

"While he was sitting on the toilet bowl, the ceiling suddenly collapsed onto him without any warning sign," said housewife Siti Nurhashikin.

"At that time, my step-mum was at home. She just came out from the toilet to do morning prayer when she heard a loud sound and my dad shouting for help."

The 34-year-old recounted how the toilet door was blocked by the fallen concrete and that her step-mum had to forcefully "push the door to help my dad, who by then was bleeding profusely from his head and body".

Ms Siti added that her father, a retiree, suffered injuries to his head, shoulder and knee, and "needed more than 10 stitches".

"He was hospitalised since yesterday and was finally discharged yesterday," she said.

As both her father and step-mum are not working, Ms Siti also expressed her hope that HDB can take "full responsibility for the repair", adding that the flat is also under the lease buyback scheme. 

COMMON ISSUE FOR OLDER BUILDINGS

Spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, especially in areas with damp conditions such as kitchens and toilets, according to HDB's website.

The issue is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack. 

The affected Yishun unit was completed 41 years ago and was upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018, HDB said in its statement on Friday.

As part of the toilet upgrading, which the resident opted for, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and the ceilings were repainted, it said.

"No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then."

HDB also provided advice on preventing spalling concrete.

Visible signs of cracks or holes should be promptly sealed, and residents can also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete. 

Proper ventilation is also encouraged as humid environments will speed up carbonation. Residents can do so by opening the windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use. 

"If there is spalling concrete, you can repair it yourself if the area is small. If the affected area is large, you should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.

"If left unattended, it will spread to a bigger area and weaken the building structure," HDB advised on its website.