Minister for National Development in answering several parliamentary questions on the several lift breakdowns in HDB estates has said that statistics showed that lift breakdowns improved in 2015, compared to the years 2013 and 2014.
The Members of Parliament raised the questions after several lift breakdowns in recent months resulted in serious injuries, as well as a fatality. In responding to them, the Minister said:
“Lifts in Singapore are checked regularly and are safe to operate. But like any other machinery, they can malfunction from time to time. Data from the Tele-Monitoring System (TMS), which provides real-time monitoring of HDB lifts, indicate that there were around 20 breakdowns per 1,000 lifts every month in 2015, and in the first half of this year.
This is lower than the average breakdown rate of 30 per 1,000 lifts each month registered in the previous two years – in 2013 and 2014. Let me reiterate this, because there are perceptions that there has been a sudden surge in lift breakdowns. This is actual data from TMS which all the Town Councils have – real-time monitoring data of HDB lifts operating in their respective estates.
We compiled the data and the breakdown rates were 30 per 1,000 lifts each month on the average in 2013 and 2014, and it has come down to 20 per 1,000 lifts each month in 2015 and in the first half of this year.
Nevertheless, despite the rates coming down, any serious lift incident is one too many. Furthermore, as our lifts get older and are subject to more wear and tear, they will face higher risks of faults.”
The Minister also said that it is important Town Councils, to take responsibility and to carry out pro-active maintenance and cyclical replacement of lifts.