Ceiling fans must be properly serviced, says BCA

I REFER to Mr Raymund Koh’s Forum Online letter last Saturday, ‘Make regular checks on ceiling fans compulsory’.

The Building and Construction Authority regulates building safety by requiring building structures and key components to be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements in the Building Control Act and Regulations. Structures are also required to be inspected periodically, every five years for non-residential buildings and 10 years for residential buildings, by professional engineers who are engaged by building owners.

This is to ensure that structural deterioration or defects can be detected and remedial action taken early; structural alterations have been approved and are properly carried out; and the building is not subject to usage it is not designed for.

For fittings and fixtures within units in a building – such as ceiling fans, chandeliers and lamps – owners or occupiers should ensure they are properly installed and regularly checked and repaired, if necessary, so they do not pose a danger to themselves or their patrons.

We thank Mr Koh for the opportunity to clarify.

Chua Bee Tee (Ms)
Deputy Director, Special Functions (Enforcement & Structural Inspection)
Building and Construction Authority

Source : Straits Times – 14 Aug 2009