Roof collapses on Hilton Hotel driveway

[Victor68]

this is the state of our constructiin industry. everything is farmed out and you only see final product that has hollow interior. focus on renown architects haha

[Jman888]

heng ah I dun go orchard for more than 3 years liao, only go JEM

[RadX]

  On 12/15/2015 at 12:35 AM, Jman888 said:

heng ah I dun go orchard for more than 3 years liao, only go JEM

 

 

u suaku...hahahha

 

but true, ORchard road nothing much to see as heartlands have it all now...

[Mustank]

this is my orchard road

 

 

Swing Singapore was free, I was happy

Orchard Road was too expensive for me

It is still 

for me is taobao amazon

[Mcf777]

Our faithful Tourist during the evening peak hour

Everyday.....without fail.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mustank]

  On 12/15/2015 at 12:59 AM, Mcf777 said:

Our faithful Tourist during the evening peak hour

Everyday.....without fail.

 

 

very nice picture

[Thaiyotakamli]

  On 12/15/2015 at 12:35 AM, Jman888 said:

heng ah I dun go orchard for more than 3 years liao, only go JEM

same me too

 

JEM, westgate and IMM has all brands that i need

 

moreover these malls are new and recently renovated. cheaper parking, less congested, no erp and nearer to my house. this week alone i visited thrice ald. enjoy the food like din tai fung, old street bah kut teh, nara thai and tim ho wan

 

unless looking for certain brands thats not available in jurong, then i will make a trip to orchard

[Blueray]

Orchard incidents 'likely due to heavy rainfall'

 

The heavy rainfall of the last two weeks was likely to blame for a blackout at a mall and the collapse of a false ceiling at a hotel, both in the Orchard Road area.

 

In fact, the first two weeks of this month have been the wettest in six years, with the highest rainfall of 327mm recorded around the Orchard Road area. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, the total rainfall recorded across the island between Dec 1 and Dec 13 ranged from 104mm to 327mm.

 

In comparison, the highest rainfall recorded over the same period from 2010 to last year was from 137mm to 314.8mm.

 

Last Saturday afternoon, Orchard Central was plunged into darkness after water seepage from a heavy downpour caused a blackout.

 

A day later, a false ceiling collapsed at a driveway at Hilton Singapore.

 

Four people were taken to hospital.

 

Experts told The Straits Times that the high volume of rain likely caused water to seep through to the false ceiling, which is not designed to cope with the extra weight.

 

Mr Chong Kee Sen, president of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, said main building structures can hold out against the weight of collected rainwater.

 

But ceilings are made of lightweight materials and may not be able to withstand any excessive pressure.

 

"Water and moisture could also soften the ceiling board materials or could also cause corrosion to metal parts, but that takes a longer period of exposure," he said.Singapore Contractors Association president Kenneth Loo said false ceilings are architectural elements, not structural ones, and are not designed to carry weight."So when you have the sudden impact of a load, it won't be able to take it.".

 

One such possible load is rainwater that leaks in and collects on the false ceiling, he added.

 

He compared the Hilton incident to what happened at shopping mall Jem two years ago, when a leaking pipe caused the ceiling to collapse under the weight of the water.

 

The incidents at Orchard Central and Hilton Singapore came a few days after a slab of concrete fell from a pedestrian bridge outside Orchard Plaza last Wednesday.

 

The Building and Construction Authority told The Straits Times yesterday that it has appointed professional engineers to conduct a detailed probe into that case and the incident at Hilton Singapore.It added that the incidents did not affect the structural safety of the overhead bridge and hotel, respectively.Mr Loo said the best way to prevent such incidents is not to design architectural elements that can bear weight, but to "address the root cause" - that is, leaks.

 

Owners should regularly inspect their buildings for possible cracks where leaks could occur, he said.

 

Mr Chong said buildings could be designed such that water flows from the roof to ground-level storm drains as fast as possible, to minimise water build-up on the roof.

 

Meanwhile, do not forget the umbrellas as afternoon showers are likely today and for at least the next three days.

 

 

- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/orchard-incidents-likely-due-heavy-rainfall#sthash.0lOwwFEV.dpuf

 

Interesting assessment ... weather gods tio blamed ... did not recall the concrete slab falling from pedestrian bridge outside Orchard Plaza incident being reported.

 

[Blackyv]

  On 12/15/2015 at 9:13 PM, Blueray said:

Orchard incidents 'likely due to heavy rainfall'

 

The heavy rainfall of the last two weeks was likely to blame for a blackout at a mall and the collapse of a false ceiling at a hotel, both in the Orchard Road area.

 

In fact, the first two weeks of this month have been the wettest in six years, with the highest rainfall of 327mm recorded around the Orchard Road area. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, the total rainfall recorded across the island between Dec 1 and Dec 13 ranged from 104mm to 327mm.

 

In comparison, the highest rainfall recorded over the same period from 2010 to last year was from 137mm to 314.8mm.

 

Last Saturday afternoon, Orchard Central was plunged into darkness after water seepage from a heavy downpour caused a blackout.

 

A day later, a false ceiling collapsed at a driveway at Hilton Singapore.

 

Four people were taken to hospital.

 

Experts told The Straits Times that the high volume of rain likely caused water to seep through to the false ceiling, which is not designed to cope with the extra weight.

 

Mr Chong Kee Sen, president of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, said main building structures can hold out against the weight of collected rainwater.

 

But ceilings are made of lightweight materials and may not be able to withstand any excessive pressure.

 

"Water and moisture could also soften the ceiling board materials or could also cause corrosion to metal parts, but that takes a longer period of exposure," he said.Singapore Contractors Association president Kenneth Loo said false ceilings are architectural elements, not structural ones, and are not designed to carry weight."So when you have the sudden impact of a load, it won't be able to take it.".

 

One such possible load is rainwater that leaks in and collects on the false ceiling, he added.

 

He compared the Hilton incident to what happened at shopping mall Jem two years ago, when a leaking pipe caused the ceiling to collapse under the weight of the water.

 

The incidents at Orchard Central and Hilton Singapore came a few days after a slab of concrete fell from a pedestrian bridge outside Orchard Plaza last Wednesday.

 

The Building and Construction Authority told The Straits Times yesterday that it has appointed professional engineers to conduct a detailed probe into that case and the incident at Hilton Singapore.It added that the incidents did not affect the structural safety of the overhead bridge and hotel, respectively.Mr Loo said the best way to prevent such incidents is not to design architectural elements that can bear weight, but to "address the root cause" - that is, leaks.

 

Owners should regularly inspect their buildings for possible cracks where leaks could occur, he said.

 

Mr Chong said buildings could be designed such that water flows from the roof to ground-level storm drains as fast as possible, to minimise water build-up on the roof.

 

Meanwhile, do not forget the umbrellas as afternoon showers are likely today and for at least the next three days.

 

 

- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/orchard-incidents-likely-due-heavy-rainfall#sthash.0lOwwFEV.dpuf

 

Interesting assessment ... weather gods tio blamed ... did not recall the concrete slab falling from pedestrian bridge outside Orchard Plaza incident being reported.

Have lar...

www.straitstimes.com/singapore/falling-concrete-slab-narrowly-misses-passers-by-in-orchard

[Myxilplix]

Got the perfect soundtrack for the news...now everybody lip-synch along!

 

[13177]

Orchard incidents can also blame the weather?! I am really speechless.

[RH1667]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:20 AM, 13177 said:

Orchard incidents can also blame the weather?! I am really speechless.

 

If blame other things, may have possibility of facing denial, weather, especially recent exceptionally heavy rain fall is a good excuse to put all blame.

[Kusje]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:20 AM, 13177 said:

Orchard incidents can also blame the weather?! I am really speechless.

 

The 2 incidents of fire also due to the rain?

[Blackyv]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:43 AM, Kusje said:

The 2 incidents of fire also due to the rain?

That one they might blame smokers... Hehe..

[Myxilplix]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:43 AM, Kusje said:

The 2 incidents of fire also due to the rain?

 

There's a song for every occasion....

 

[Celicar]

  On 12/15/2015 at 9:13 PM, Blueray said:

In fact, the first two weeks of this month have been the wettest in six years, with the highest rainfall of 327mm recorded around the Orchard Road area. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, the total rainfall recorded across the island between Dec 1 and Dec 13 ranged from 104mm to 327mm.

I could be wrong but I thought I read not too long ago that the MET service actually forecast that Dec will be unusually hot for Dec. If my recollection is right, then our MET service has continued its remarkable record of being off almost all the time. Which is a skill, mind you. Betting on the wrong side is not easy.

[Nzy]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:43 AM, Kusje said:

The 2 incidents of fire also due to the rain?

 

No wonder the haze was so bad. Rain causes fire.

[Blueray]

  On 12/16/2015 at 1:20 AM, 13177 said:

Orchard incidents can also blame the weather?! I am really speechless.

 

that is the trend ... point fingers everywhere when things happen.

 

me just simple layman, to me, this Hilton Hotel thingy is negligence.

 

cannot be buildings in Singapore so fragile that a bit more rain only will have issues ... HK got Cat 5 typhoons one hor ..