A 50-cm gap at the top of the railings along some common corridors has upset some residents of Pinnacle@Duxton.
They claim this ’security flaw’ increases the risk of break-ins. But the Housing Board (HDB) rejects this, adding that the design avoids a ‘cage-like’ environment.
Mr Max Sim, 34, an executive, is among some 20 residents who wrote to the HDB about the matter. He said he noticed the ‘flaw’ after he collected the keys to his apartment about two weeks ago.
He has also flagged the issue on The Straits Times’ online portal Stomp.
At 50 storeys, the seven-block Pinnacle is the country’s tallest public housing project. Each floor has six units.
The common corridor leading to the two middle units has railings that do not reach the ceiling beam.
Residents of these units worry that a burglar could scale the railing and go through the 50-cm gap – about the height of a desktop computer cabinet – to reach a narrow platform.
From there, he can get onto the ledge for the air-conditioner, where the toilet window is.
‘It is not easy but a burglar may try… I’m worried about the safety of my wife and children,’ said engineer John Yeo, owner of a middle unit. He is in his 40s.
Another resident, businessman Terence Hu, 32, agreed.
‘If HDB takes action only after a break-in happens, it’ll be too late,’ he said.
The HDB told The Sunday Times that there is ‘no design flaw’. Its spokesman said safety and security are major considerations in the design of HDB flats.
She said the openings at the common corridors are for cross ventilation.
The Pinnacle has 1.8m-high railings, a height which exceeds the required industry standard of 1.1m, she said.
‘At this 1.8m height, the opening between the railing and the beam is 50cm, which does not allow a person to climb through easily.
‘Anyone who attempts to do so also faces the risk of falling down the airwell,’ said the HDB spokesman.
‘Furthermore, the common corridors adopt an open concept. Once residents start moving in, it is difficult for anyone to climb through the railing undetected.’
She said residents can install grilles with locks and security appliances to make their homes more secure.
For the initial period, HDB will also work with the police to step up their patrols there.
The HDB’s response, however, does not satisfy some residents.
Mr Hu said: ‘There’s nothing much we can do now. We just have to wait and see who’s the unlucky guy.’
Another resident, IT administrator Kelvin Lim, 34, said he would install a ventilation fan to replace his toilet window to secure his home.
The Pinnacle@Duxton was first launched in May 2004. It features a sky garden on its roof, with views of the harbour and much of Singapore.
In 2004, its four-room flats cost an average $335,000 and the five-room flats, $395,000. Last year, the HDB priced these same-sized flats at an average of $486,000 and $590,000, respectively.
Source: Sunday Times, 10 Jan 2010
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