Private home owners in hilly areas advised to check retaining walls

SINGAPORE : In view of the rainy season, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has advised private home owners in hilly areas to maintain their retaining walls.

The authority is encouraging home owners to engage professional engineers to inspect retaining walls as they can pose a potential hazard if they are not maintained.

This is especially during the rainy season where excessive water can build up in the soil behind the retaining walls.

The added pressure may cause weak walls to give way.

If not properly maintained, BCA will serve a Dangerous Building Order on the building and property owner. The Order will require the owner to appoint a professional engineer to recommend rectification works to remove the danger and make the slope and earth retaining structure safe.

Owners who fail to comply can face a maximum fine of S$100,000 or jail of 12 months or both, and a maximum fine of S$2,500 per day for continued offence after conviction.

— CNA/ms