Close Call for Toa Payoh Resident as Falling Concrete Sparks Safety Concerns

In a terrifying near-miss incident in Toa Payoh, a resident narrowly escaped being struck by spalling concrete while in her bathroom. This alarming event has heightened concerns among her family and the wider community about the structural integrity of aging flats.

The incident took place around 8 PM on January 13 at 1 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, a housing block that dates back to 1969. Mr. Shi, 47, recounted the harrowing experience to a local news outlet, stating that his wife had just exited the shower when a sizable chunk of concrete plummeted from the ceiling, barely missing her.

Upon inspection, Mr. Shi discovered that the exposed steel bars in the ceiling indicated significant deterioration, with other areas of the ceiling also showing warping signs. "We're seriously worried now," Mr. Shi expressed. "We’ve noticed cracks in various other parts of the house that weren’t there before, and it's concerning that things could deteriorate further."

This is not an isolated incident. A similar case occurred in another Toa Payoh flat on February 27, 2020, when a chunk of spalling concrete weighing approximately 10kg fell into a toilet just as a young maid was preparing to clean the area.

According to the Housing and Development Board (HDB), spalling concrete is a prevalent issue in older buildings, particularly in damp environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. The primary cause of this condition is carbonation – a natural process where the steel bars embedded in concrete corrode, eventually leading to cracks and bulges in the surface.

HDB has emphasized that it is the responsibility of homeowners to both prevent and repair any occurrences of spalling concrete in their properties. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial in preventing such hazardous situations.

As the elderly housing stock across Singapore continues to age, residents are urged to remain vigilant and proactive about maintaining the safety and integrity of their homes. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in aging infrastructures, prompting calls for stricter safety regulations and more robust maintenance efforts by housing authorities.