Building and Construction Authority we shope ste Nh quality, sustainable 2d endl ul envionment. (Our tet : APPECA-2016-07 Building Engineering Group (#1201) Date 10/08/2016, Tol: 68044613 Fax 63342501 E-mail woo_kwan_wye@bca gov 9 ‘See Distribution List Dear SirMadam, ‘SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WHEN ADDING GREENERY, SOLAR PANELS AND OTHER FEATURES TO BUILDING ROOFTOPS UNDER THE BUILDING CONTROL ACT Objective “This circular serves to remind stakeholders on the safety requirements under the Building Control Act when adding greenery, solar panels and othe features to exstingbulding rooftops. Background 2. On 20 May 2016, the entre roof structure ofa Sports Hall tthe City University of Hong Kong (CityU) collapsed, injuing three sta members. The root was retroftted with a root ‘greening system as par ofthe University’s project on greening the campus. The University’s Fvestignon Cosme tas idenfied tye root lowing capac, hnpact of ras Fates Used for tho reef greening works, and the efficiency of the drainage system of the grzen roof ‘system, as the contributing factors that led to the reo’ collapse, Building Control Requirements 3. Under Regulation 451) ofthe Bulking Contol Regulations 2003, no bulding shall be Subjected to any load beyond is design loads as indicated in the approved detailed structural plans and design calculations relating tothe building, Non-complance with Regulation 45(1) Sn offence, 4 tts important that building owner, tonants and building management are aware ofthe roof loading restrictions and ensure that the mavimum load bearing capac ofthe root must hover be exceeded when greenery, solar panels and olher features are added to existing rooftops. ‘Structural considerations bofore installation of rooftop greenery, solar panels ard other features 5 Building onners are responsible forthe installation, maintenance and safety of any features installed on ther rootops. All bracings, mounting systems and fhings required t0 secure the instalation of any rooftop greenery elomenis, solar panels and other features should be properly designed and able fo withstand loads from wind (Including upit) and rain. ‘Therefore, bulding owners should engage a Professional Engineer (PE) for advice anc assass if approvais under the Building Contel Act are required. Adationaly, the PE should check anc cert the structural leading capacty and advise ifthe roof is sultable to accommodate the proposed rooftop greenery, solar panels and othe features. f necessary, the PE should obtain set of structural drawings (if avalabe) forthe purpose ofthis assessment 52g Gtoway Roa, #1101, Singapore 8850 Fee ite oastan «Fac Goma) mak: a enqury@txa.g 29© The engaged PE should also check ifthe design capacty of the existing roof can ‘support addional loads such a8 water ponding that may afse rom heavy rain. If the exsting Foot is able to accammodate the adstional loads, a copy of the PE's drawings, design ‘alclatons and cerifcation must be given tothe bulking ower. These documents would bo Needed in the future when the bling owner appoints @ PE to carryout the mandatory period structural inspection (PS) ofthe bulding and wil serve to aid the PE in assessing the canton and adequacy ofthe rof structure. 7. tt there is @ need to strengthen the structural elements ofthe bulling, the P= should ‘submit the structural plans and design calculations to BCA for approval 2s required under Section 8 of the Buiding Control Act. Design capacity checks and strengthening rroposals should include all loadings (euch asthe sol loading, current and futur plantsreosloating and Fetained moisture during heavy rainfall etc). These loading considerations should be i adaion {te the design imposed load forthe roo! which shoul bein accordance with the provisions ofthe Singapore Standard SS EN 1991-1-1 including ts associated Singapore National Annes, ‘Advisory on rooftep maintonance 8” BCA recommends that as good practice, bulding owners should adopt the following when designing and insaling greenery, solar panels and other features onto a buling’s rooftop: @) Drainage and waterproofing To ensure thatthe roof structure is not overloaded due to water ponding, the rootop should be provided with an effective drainage system to discharge excess wate. The ‘waterproofing inter of the roof structure must also not be compromised by the Intracution of these addtional features on the roof as the waterproofing protects the roof stucture against water inftraton that may result in structural deterioration. ») Regular inspection and maintenance {A regular maintenance schedule chould be putin plaoe by the building owner, Maintenance incuding inspections of the supporting root structure, and the “ealures! supporting frames and mounting systems, to check for stuctual defects such as looeening of bot connections, metal earresion and spaling conersta, As good aracce, the appointed PE should also look out for euch defects and recommend appropcate rectieation measures tobe caried out by the building auners during PSI @__ it, seciment, plant debris and litters should be cleared so that they do not Compromiso the roofiop drainage systems, All drain chokages should be removed to prevent water stagnation which otherwise could lea to the bull-up of water, resulting In verioading ofthe roof structure 8 would appreciate it if you could disseminate the contonts ofthis letter tothe members of your organisation. Clarification 40. Please contact Mr Woo Kwan Wye at Tel 6804 4813 or call the hotine at 1600-3428222 (1800-D1AL BCA), or email bea_enquiry@bea.gov.sg if you need any clacton, Thank you Yours tatfuly Cal CHANG BEK MEI DIRECTOR BUILDING ENGINEERING GROUP fe, COMMISSIONER OF BULAN CONTR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITYCIRCULAR DISTRIBUTION LIST ASSOCIATIONS / SOCIETIES, PRESIDENT INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SINGAPORE (IES) 70, BUKIT TINGGI ROAD SINGAPORE 280758 ins@iesnet.ora.sa PRESIDENT. [ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, SINGAPORE (ACES) 185IN MING LANE 05.01 MIDVIEW CITY SINGAPORE 573960 ‘seerotarat@aces org so PRESIDENT SINGAPORE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION LIMITED (SCAL) (CONSTRUCTION HOUSE 4 BUKIT MERAH LANE 2 SINGAPORE 159760 sengulry@scalcom.sa PRESIDENT, SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (SIA) TONEIL ROAD. SINGAPORE 088004 info@sia.ora.sa PRESIDENT ‘SOCIETY OF PROJECT MANAGERS (SPM) MACPHERSON ROAD P.0.80X 1083 SINGAPORE 913412 soroim@vahoo.com PRESIDENT, SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF BUILDING LIMITED (SIBL) TOPALMER ROAD, 1#03.08C PALMER HOUSE SINGAPORE 079427 Joseohine@sib.com.sa PRESIDENT REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (REOAS) 490 CLEMENCEAU AVENUE 807-01 SINGAPORE SHOPPING CENTRE SINGAPORE 280024 fenauinv@redas com PRESIDENT SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS & VALUERS (SISV) +110 MIDDLE ROAD #09-00 CHIAT HONG BUILDING. SINGAPORE 188968 sisvinfo@sievora. 29PRESIDENT SINGAPORE STRUCTURAL STEEL SOCIETY (S385) 1 UANG SEAH STREET #02-11/12 LIANG SEAH PLACE SINGAPORE 189022 seeretarat@ssss.010.50 PRESIDENT (GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE ClO PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES CENTRE NUS FACULTY OF ENGINEERING ENGINEERING DRIVE 1 SINGAPORE 117578 geossMnus edusa PRESIDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS BOARD, SINGAPORE (PEB) 152 JURONG GATEWAY ROAD, #07-03 SINGAPORE 608550 ‘eaistrar@peb cov.sa PRESIDENT. BOARD OF ARCHITECTS (BOA) 5 MAXWELL ROAD. {1ST STOREY TOWER BLOCK MND COMPLEX SINGAPORE 069110 oareh@singnet com.s0 DIRECTOR PROTECTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE & ESTATE DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AGENCY 1 DEPOT ROAD #0201 SINGAPORE 109879 ‘vewhing deta gov DEPUTY DIRECTOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE BRANCH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION {NORTH BUONA VISTA DRIVE OFFICE TOWER LEVEL 9 SINGAPORE 138575 2nd wee tongi@moe.cou.sa DIRECTOR BEST SOURCING DEPARTMENT PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD 40 SCOTTS ROAD #18-01, ENVIRONMENT BUILDING SINGAPORE 228231 ‘koh boon aik@pub.aov.sa lim kim tee@pub.cov.sa DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY ‘THAMPSHIRE ROAD BLOCK @ LEVEL 1 SINGAPORE 219428 ‘chong ta. gov sDEPUTY DIRECTOR PROJECT DEVT & MGT SECT 1 (CAS) BUILDING QUALITY GROUP HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD HDB HUB ‘480 LORONG 6 TOA PAYOH SINGAPORE 310480 iow Kiang hena@hdb.oov.eg DIRECTOR TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION STC CORPORATION THE JTC SUMMIT 8 JURONG TOWN HALL ROAD SINGAPORE 609434 ‘chee kohi@ite.gov.eg DIRECTOR BUILDING PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION ‘9 STADIUM LINK SINGAPORE 39750 foo soon leng@eagovsa PRESIDENT. THE TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION SOCIETY SINGAPORE (TUCSS) CIO CMA INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS PTE LTD 02-12 LIANG SEAH PLACE SINGAPORE 189022 {nfo@tuess.ora.sa PRESIDENT, SOCIETY OF ROCK MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGY 1 LIANG SEAH STREET 1802-12 LIANG SEAH PLACE SINGAPORE 189022 simeam@ema.sa DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 'SENTOSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 83 ALLANBROOKE ROAD, SENTOSA SINGAPORE 099981 HEAD (FIRE SAFETY AND BUILDING CONTROL) BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AGENCY 1 DEPOT ROAD DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY TOWER A SINGAPORE 109679 HOW AH MENG EMAIL: HAHMENG@DSTA GOV.SGMANAGER (ARCHITECTURAL PLANS) BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AGENCY 1.DEPOT ROAD DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY TOWER A SINGAPORE 109678 ‘SEBASTIAN LIM HAl KONG. EMAIL: LHAIKONG@DSTA GOV.SG PRESIDENT SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (SILA) 41003 BUKIT MERAH CENTRAL ‘SUITE #03-13 SINGAPORE 159836 EMAIL: secretariat@sila. ora. CHAIRMAN LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (LIAS) EXPO DRIVE 02.01 SINGAPORE 406150 EMAIL: secretariat @lias.ora.sa CHAIRMAN ‘SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (SEAS) 4 Cleantech Loop '#02-16 Cleantech One Singapore 637141 EMAIL: info@aens ores ADITI SRIDHAR SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE (SERIS) NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (NUS) BLOCK E3A, #06-01 7 ENGINEERING DRIVE 1 ‘SINGAPORE 117574 EMAIL garis-info@nus. edu 29