Ensuring Materials Used for Screeding of Floors in HDB Common Areas Are Non-slip and Look Pleasant

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development what are the criteria used by HDB to assess whether the materials used for screeding of floors in HDB common areas are non-slip and look aesthetically pleasant.

Mr Desmond Lee: For new BTO projects, the Housing and Development Board's (HDB) building specifications currently require contractors to use Acrylic Polymer Cementitious Coating (APCC), with a sealer coat system, for the screeding of floors in common areas.

This system fulfils the slip resistance test under Singapore Standard 485 and meets the acceptance criteria of 40-50 British Pendulum Numbers (BPN). This is also the level of slip resistance HDB specifies for its bathroom floor tiles. In terms of aesthetics, APCC is grey in colour and, upon application, furnishes our common areas with a uniform and neat look.

For existing estates, it is the Town Councils’ responsibility to regularly inspect and maintain the floors in common areas. HDB does not stipulate the materials to be used and the slip resistance standards to be followed by the Town Councils, but will provide technical advice to the Town Councils, where required.