Question ...

Bomb shelter
Older developments / properties did not have the bay window latch as well the bomb shelter. Many converted this space/room to a store room or a maid-room (very degrading actually). If memory serves me correctly, the bomb shelter was included as part of the property probably some 8 years back, then it was removed (relocated to outside the property floor area) maybe 2 years ago.

What's this bomb shelter all about? Can someone shed some light.

Do you mean that when there is a bomb, the extire building will collapse leaving only the bomb shelter stack?? If you are living on the 20th floor, even if the stack is left standing, what good will it do??

Bay window latch
When and how did the bay window latch and bomb shelter came about?

Similarly, older developments don't have this bay window latch thing. Currently all new developments have them. My understanding is this is part of the building requirements with safety in mind. Is this correct? What is the rationale really ....? safety ???


Just wondering ....

Question ...

Bomb shelter
Older developments / properties did not have the bay window latch as well the bomb shelter. Many converted this space/room to a store room or a maid-room (very degrading actually). If memory serves me correctly, the bomb shelter was included as part of the property probably some 8 years back, then it was removed (relocated to outside the property floor area) maybe 2 years ago.

What's this bomb shelter all about? Can someone shed some light.

Do you mean that when there is a bomb, the extire building will collapse leaving only the bomb shelter stack?? If you are living on the 20th floor, even if the stack is left standing, what good will it do??

Bay window latch
When and how did the bay window latch and bomb shelter came about?

Similarly, older developments don't have this bay window latch thing. Currently all new developments have them. My understanding is this is part of the building requirements with safety in mind. Is this correct? What is the rationale really ....? safety ???


Just wondering ....

With my limited knowledge, here's what I know :

Re: Bomb shelter

The bomb shelter is a Civil defence thingy. In the event of a bomb/missile attack on part of the building, this Bomb Shelter will not be easily blown away (assuming indirect impact). Further, it supposedly will work against both biological and chemical attack. Notice that there are rubber seals around the door.

Given that this bomb shelter column arises ground up (from the foundation), it will stand by itself if the concrete walls around it collapses. The theory is that you will be rescued by some helicopter or super ladders from fire engines.

It is now no longer mandatory by law to have the bomb shelter within the apartments. It can be built as a communal stand-alone bomb shelter within the development. Even with the relaxation of the rules, many developers are still having the bomb shelter within the apartment (because the buyer will have to pay for every square feet).

What is a bay window latch? Can post a picture of it?

It can be built as a communal stand-alone bomb shelter within the development. Even if the relaxation of ruling, many developers are still having the bomb shelter within the apartment (because the buyer will have to pay for every square feet).

Those are called storey shelters, these are bigger and are meant to serve all units in a floor. The good thing about storey shelters are that they require internal vertical access, so people on the 20th floor can slowly make their way down.

Yeah, whats a bay window latch?

I think TS is referring to Bay Window "Ledge".

It is now no longer mandatory by law to have the bomb shelter within the apartments. It can be built as a communal stand-alone bomb shelter within the development. Even with the relaxation of the rules, many developers are still having the bomb shelter within the apartment (because the buyer will have to pay for every square feet).

I have some lingering questions too. Are there any new developments without bomb shelters or communal shelters within the development? Are these allowed under the new rules?

I have some lingering questions too. Are there any new developments without bomb shelters or communal shelters within the development? Are these allowed under the new rules?

Yes. I remember going to a showflat that does not have a bomb shelter within the apartment itself (ie. the storeroom does not have reinforced "steel" walls and door). But sorry, I cannot remember which one it was (or maybe I was dreaming....).

Hmm....from what I know, the bomb shelters are mandatory in every development. The rules are relaxed in that it is not mandatory to have the bomb shelter within each apartment. Hope this clarifies.

If he's referring to bay windows on a whole, its not compulsory, but developers like them, as they are not counted in the maximum permissable gross floor area, and yet, can be sold as square footage to buyers. $$$

Bomb Shelter
Thank you for the responses on the bomb shelter question. I still think that this bomb shelter thing is ridiculous. I feel that when the bomb comes (i.e. regardless if it is chemical or scatter or TNT), it really doesn’t matter. Anyway … The ruling now states that its not mandatory and that is why newer developments don’t have this within the apartment layout.

Bay Window Ledge (not latch)
I was actually referring to the bay window ledge (not latch). My mistake here.

Some just called it the bay windows. The bay window ledge is actually a concrete slab directly below the windows. This concrete slab serves as a “barrier” as it limits one’s ability to be close (or adjacent) to the window. In older apartments without bay window, one can just be standing “barrier” free from the window.

Does this creation of a barrier (i.e. having a bay window ledge) mandatory by law? When was it implemented?

What about apartments with full length windows? Or is this still allowed? Full length windows mean you can’t possibly have bay window ledge.

The implementation of this bay window ledge in my opinion is for safety reason … maybe. It’s within your square footage area of the apartment but the ledge is basically not very usable. With a raised concrete slab to probably knee high protruding out about 1.5 to 2 feet, this space is not very usable in my opinion.

WOW! Talk about being prepared (or paranoid), does that mean that all new HDBs or condos have bomb shelters in them?!?
I never found any bomb shelters at my residence at NUS, students can take care of themselves lol. I did notice them (or at least signs for them) at MRT stations though.

I couldn't even imagine such things being built into appartments in the UK these days... thinking about it though, maybe we should, especially in London!

Bomb Shelter
Thank you for the responses on the bomb shelter question. I still think that this bomb shelter thing is ridiculous. I feel that when the bomb comes (i.e. regardless if it is chemical or scatter or TNT), it really doesn’t matter. Anyway … The ruling now states that its not mandatory and that is why newer developments don’t have this within the apartment layout.

Bay Window Ledge (not latch)
I was actually referring to the bay window ledge (not latch). My mistake here.

Some just called it the bay windows. The bay window ledge is actually a concrete slab directly below the windows. This concrete slab serves as a “barrier” as it limits one’s ability to be close (or adjacent) to the window. In older apartments without bay window, one can just be standing “barrier” free from the window.

Does this creation of a barrier (i.e. having a bay window ledge) mandatory by law? When was it implemented?

What about apartments with full length windows? Or is this still allowed? Full length windows mean you can’t possibly have bay window ledge.

The implementation of this bay window ledge in my opinion is for safety reason … maybe. It’s within your square footage area of the apartment but the ledge is basically not very usable. With a raised concrete slab to probably knee high protruding out about 1.5 to 2 feet, this space is not very usable in my opinion.


In that case, read my post #8

Its pure capitalist economics, who cares about functionality?.:)