ST Letters : Opening above Pinnacle railing not so easy to climb through

Jan 31, 2010

YOUR LETTERS

Opening above Pinnacle railing not so easy to climb through

I refer to the letter from Mr Desmond Teo, 'HDB can still rectify Pinnacle's railings' (Jan17).

Safety and security are major considerations in the design of Housing Board flats. For the Pinnacle@Duxton, the architect provided a 1.8m-tall railing at the common corridor to serve both ventilation and security needs. This design was also chosen to avoid creating a cage-like environment.

At a height of 1.8m and without any step on the railing, the opening above the railing does not allow a person to climb through easily. Anyone who attempts to do so also faces the risk of falling to his death.

Furthermore, the common corridor is an open area shared by six households. It is difficult for anyone to loiter around, and attempt climbing through the railing without being detected.

All the seven blocks at Pinnacle@Duxton have been completed since last month, and we note that some residents have moved in, while others are in the process of renovating their flats.

As with all newly completed developments, some ongoing touch-up works are inevitable, such as painting and landscaping.

During this period, there are also many renovation contractors and workers on site. We advise all residents to be vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures for their flats, such as by locking their doors and gates at all times.

The HDB will work with the police to step up their patrols. We will also monitor the various feedback from residents as they start to move in, including the design issues, and review them collectively.

We thank Mr Teo for his feedback.

Lawrence Pak
Deputy Director
(Engineering Services)
Housing & Development Board