Govt to roll out S$450m programme to improve HDB lifts’ safety features

SINGAPORE — Amid efforts to improve lift safety, the Government is launching a new programme that will co-fund around 90 per cent of a town council’s costs for the installation of enhancement features recommended by the authorities last week.

The Lift Enhancement Programme (LEP) will cost an estimated S$450 million, and will apply to existing lifts that are not due for replacement anytime soon — those less than 18 years in operation — said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on his Housing Matters blog on Monday (Sept 19), calling it a “major programme” .

The Ministry of National Development will also be asking all town councils to prepare and submit their financial projections for their Sinking Funds over the next 10 to 30 years, in line with plans to ask town councils to set aside more funds for future lift replacements through a new Lift Replacement Fund.

“These projections will enable us to assess the appropriate levels of contribution to the TC Sinking Funds and Lift Replacement Funds,” said Mr Wong.

Last Friday, The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) recommended that lift owners update their older lifts with features that are found in newer lift models.

Some of the enhancements listed include devices to prevent unintended movement or over-speeding of the lift cars, as well as lift door sensors to detect movements before the lift door closes.

Mr Wong said all lift owners — be it in private or public sector buildings — should study these recommended lift enhancements and work towards incorporating.

But in the case of HDB flats, town councils are the lift owners, and the costs of these enhancements “will pose a considerable financial challenge to the TCs”. “Hence, having studied the matter carefully, I’ve asked HDB to provide additional support to the TCs,” he said.

He added: “Given the importance of lifts in our daily lives and in our high-rise HDB living environment, the Government is prepared to commit to this additional spending and maintain high safety standards.

The LEP will be rolled out over a period of 10 years. Older lifts should be replaced with new lifts which will come with these enhanced features.

Noting that the eventual replacement of all the lifts under their charge “requires significant long-term expenditures”. Mr Wong said the total Sinking Fund balance across all TCs is about S$1 billion — not enough to cover the costs, which is estimated at almost S$3 billion from now to 2035 for 11,500 lifts.

“All TCs must take a long-term view and start planning now for asset and lift replacements in their estates,” said Mr Wong. This is the basis of Singapore’s success. We do not leave things to chance. But we look over the horizon, plan, and prepare for the future. This is the way to ensure a good and safe HDB living environment for all Singaporeans.”