4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
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BCA has worked closely with HDB on the drafting of the Retrofitting Order and the implementation details of the legislation. BCA had subsequently worked with Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to have the law passed for the (Retrofitting of Casement Windows) Order. In ensuring that new windows and new existing windows are safe, BCA also worked with AGC on subsequent revisions to the Building Control Act and Regulations.
With the introduction of the (Retrofitting of Casement Windows) Order on 1 October 2004, homeowners are given a one-year grace period ending on 30 September 2005 to retrofit their windows. After the (Retrofitting of Casement Windows) Order, the Building Control Act/Regulations were revised to include the provision that all new windows must comply with performance and technical requirements. In addition to the requirement for homeowners to engage an approved window contractor to undertake any repair or installation of windows; the revised Building Control Act/Regulations also allows homeowners to engage an a builder for their window works.
In assessing suitability of events for the outreach to community, BCA analyses and studies the trends of fallen windows based on geographical locations with consideration of the age of buildings. BCA also collaborates and link up with the Grassroots Organisations and PA for suitable events with suitable themes for the roving exhibition.
In addition to that, BCA also conducts Window Safety Roving Exhibitions to existing HDB dwellers during HDB’s in-house publicity programmes.
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5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
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(Refer to Paragraphs 3 and 4 in the answer to Question 2 and Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 in the answer to Question 4 for details.)
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6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
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BCA has allocation of funds where bi-yearly public campaigns such 6/6 and 12/12 campaigns are budgeted for. There is also budget for the engagement of consultants to conceptualise, develop, implement and manage the publicity campaigns.
The fabrication of the window panels to conduct exhibitions, window toolkits and the window collaterals given out to public are also budgeted for internally by BCA.
BCA also provides the manpower from internal staff for running and manning the Window Safety Roving Exhibitions.
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7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
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Since the introduction of the legislation on the retrofitting of casement windows, Window Safety Campaign and the Window Safety Roving Exhibitions, the number of fallen casement windows had decreased significantly.
Arising from the Retrofitting Order exercise, the number of fallen casement windows had reduced significantly. Coupled with the combination efforts of Window Safety Campaign and the Window Safety Roving Exhibitions, the number of fallen casement windows has reduced further in 2014.
BCA had conducted 10 Window Safety Exhibitions for 2012, 20 exhibitions for 2013 and at least 20 exhibitions for 2014. More than 10,000 residents in Singapore have visited the BCA window safety booth and BCA is determined to showcase the window booth to more residents in future so as to spread and convey the message of checking and maintaining their windows.
* With the implementation of the Retrofitting exercise, the number of fallen casement windows fell from 112 cases in 2004 to 35 cases in 2005. As of 30 October 2014, there are 21 fallen casement windows for the year.
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8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
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Internally, BCA monitors the trend of fallen windows on a monthly basis and provides regular updates to the management and the Ministry.
On the public campaigns, through the consultants, surveys are conducted every year to ascertain the effectiveness of the campaigns. The results and the analysis of the survey will be used to enhance and improve the campaigns so as to reach out to more people of different segments of our society more effectively.
On the Window Safety Roving Exhibition, BCA monitors feedback provided by the attendees, Grassroots Organisations and the VIPs (whom are the MPs) who attended our events, in how we can implement the exhibitions more effectively. BCA also track the number of invitations to conduct roving exhibitions from the various constituencies.
In addition to that, BCA also studies the demographic patterns of the constituencies and targets the matured estates to conduct Window Safety Roving Exhibitions.
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9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
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Hands-on Experience - During the Window Safety Roving Exhibitions, one of the key challenges is to attract visitors to the booth. BCA officers reached out to individual homeowners who visited the booth and shared with them the importance of window maintenance.
Through face-to-face interactions and hands-on demonstrations on the mock-up windows, homeowners also had hands-on experience on checking and maintaining their windows.
Do-It-Yourself – After the demonstration, the next challenge is to get homeowners to apply what they have learnt at home. To do so, homeowners can bring home a window maintenance toolkit to practise what they have learnt and share their knowledge with their friends and families.
The window maintenance toolkits consist of a bottle of lubricant, a brush and an extendable mirror, which allow homeowners to put the window maintenance tips they had learnt to use at home. Additionally, BCA also distributes useful collaterals with window maintenance tips to serve as a constant reminder to homeowners on how to maintain their windows. Some marketing collaterals include tote bags, calendars, umbrellas and magnets.
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