HDB LIFT BREAKDOWNS (Measures to minimize inconvenience)

Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development what improvements are being undertaken by the Housing and Development Board to minimize the inconvenience caused to residents as a result of lift breakdowns.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB has implemented a comprehensive maintenance programme for its lifts to minimize the inconvenience to residents caused by lift breakdowns. All lifts are being serviced by the lift companies once every fortnight. The servicing programme includes checking for malfunctioning of all major parts and repairs or replacement of parts where needed. To ensure that the lifts are safe for public use, every lift is tested and certified fit for use annually. In the event that any of the safety devices is found to be faulty, the lift is switched off until the fault is rectified. In addition, a thorough full load test is carried out every five years to ensure that the safety gear is functional and has not deteriorated with age. Old and problematic lifts are either refurbished with new component parts or replaced entirely with new lifts.

The lifts are also inspected by HDB Housing and Maintenance Inspectors daily who will report any breakdown or defects to the lift companies. In addition, the Board has successfully developed a telemonitoring system to monitor the performance of the lifts continuously. This system alerts the Board's Lift Maintenance Unit when passengers are trapped in the lift or when the lift is tampered with.

However, no amount of improvement would help if the residents do not play their part in the upkeep of the lifts. Every year, thousands of dollars are wasted as a result of acts of vandalism, such as urinating in lift cars, burning of push buttons with cigarette lighter, defacing of car and door panels, etc. I would therefore urge residents to cooperate fully with the Board in observing the proper use of lifts.