SINGAPORE: A ceiling at the basement of Singapore Management University’s (SMU) School of Information Systems collapsed on Tuesday (Oct 24).
The false ceiling at the recess area collapsed at 5pm, the university has confirmed.
In response to Channel NewsAsia’s queries, an SMU spokesperson said preliminary findings showed that a drainage pipe above the ceiling had leaked and water had seeped through, causing the false ceiling to collapse. Some of the water entered a portion of the study area located next to the affected space, she said.
The spokesperson also confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.
Video circulating online shows parts of a ceiling falling to the ground outside a toilet. The area, which is directly opposite a gymnasium and next to a study corner, has been sealed off.
An SMU employee who declined to be named said he saw workers putting up barriers at around 6.10pm.
“I noticed it was super dark and wet underfoot. And it smelled kind of funky,” he said, adding that he was heading back from a meeting when he saw the damage.
Workers putting up barriers outside the area where the ceiling collapsed. (Photo: Channel NewsAsia reader)
“The workers had already put up some barriers but through a gap you could see what looked like debris and bits of roof and dust all over the place. And they had loads of machines cleaning up the water,” he added.
One student said no one appeared to be injured.
When Channel NewsAsia arrived at the scene at about 7.20pm, the area was completely covered by tarpaulin. Workers were seen unloading equipment such as saws and there were no unusual smells.
SMU said its ground team cordoned off the area for safety reasons and cleared the water from the area.
The spokesperson added that the structure of the surrounding area was not affected, and that the university was investigating the incident.
“Measures to rectify the area will be taken as soon as the investigations have been completed,” she said.
SMU TO INSPECT OTHER FALSE CEILINGS IN AFFECTED AREA: BCA
In response to queries from Channel NewsAsia, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said on Wednesday that its engineers carried out a site inspection on the day of the incident and confirmed that the building’s structural integrity was not affected.
A spokesperson added that BCA has directed SMU to engage a professional engineer to investigate the cause of the incident, inspect the condition of the remaining false ceilings at the affected area, and to recommend permanent rectification work.
