The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue to explore ways to further reduce the delivery time for its building projects, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
He was responding to a question by Non-constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam on whether HDB aims to reduce the average waiting time for Build-to-Order flats (BTOs).
Typically, BTO projects of 20 storeys and below now take 29 months to complete, down from 32 months in 2009.
Mr Khaw said that time reduction is possible through greater use of standardised fittings, including doors and windows, which will allow for easy fabrication.
More pre-cast components are also being used for faster installation on site.
HDB has also been bringing forward the preparation of building designs for tender so that construction can begin soon after the project is launched.
Still, there are factors such as poor soil conditions, site constraints and complex design features that may pose as obstacles to shortening the wait time.
Mr Khaw emphasised however, that construction safety and quality must not be compromised in order to reap time savings.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 10 Sep 2012