EVALUATION OF BUILDING CONTROL ACT 1989 AND ITS EFFECT ON COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Abstract

The Building Control Act 1989 was amended after the collapse of Hotel New World with the primary objective of preventing another similar disaster. The Commission Of Inquiry set up to investigate into the collapse expressed little doubt during the hearing that one of the main causes of the disaster, which costs the lives of 33 people and many others injured, was the lack of proper control during the design, construction and maintenance stages. This incident brought to the attention of the public the safety of other buildings in Singapore. Thus, in 1989, the new requirements aimed at coping with the shortcomings of the various stages were specifically stipulated in the Act. This dissertation discusses the effectiveness of the new Building Control Act 1989 under the various subheadings such as enforcement of the Act, manpower management, and types of building affected by the Act. The study also deals with the procedure for the inspection of buildings in Singapore under the new Act, both for the public and private sector. Lastly, a chapter will be devoted to the discussion of building control practices adopted by countries such as Hong Kong and England and a comparison of these practices with Singapore will be made.