Follow-up measures after LT1 ceiling collapse

By Wee Rae

LT1 remains closed as repair works are still in progress, focusing on replacing the entire ceiling
and reinforcing the structure. PHOTO: YEO WEI LUN

Following a partial collapse of its false ceiling last month, additional measures have been implemented to ensure the structural integrity of Lecture Theatre 1 (LT1) and its surrounding lecture theatres, according to a spokesperson from the Office of Development and Facilities Management (ODFM).

So far, all lecture theatres in the vicinity have undergone inspection and no significant defects have been found, he added.

As an added precaution, the school is engaging professional engineers to conduct more detailed checks on the lecture theatres.

This is on top of the routine ones that take place every two months, where reported defects are highlighted and addressed immediately.

Lessons conducted at LT1 have since been redirected to other venues.

Prior to the incident, no noticeable faults in LT1 were detected nor reported.

To address the ceiling collapse, the spokesperson from ODFM said the entire ceiling will be replaced. Maintenance works are currently ongoing.

Access to LT1 is strictly forbidden until the entire ceiling is replaced and safety checks are carried
out to ensure safety standards are met. PHOTO: YEO WEI LUN

Students the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to expressed concern over the structural safety of buildings in NTU.

Crystalbel Khoo, 20, a second-year student from the Nanyang Business School, said: “I hope the school will conduct more checks or maintenance works for the older parts of the school to ensure that we’re all in a safe environment and that this doesn’t happen again.”

Third-year School of Biological Sciences student Alexis Lau added that while it is good that the school is building more halls and other facilities, they should also constantly maintain and upgrade current school facilities.

According to the ODFM spokesperson, safety checks of buildings on campus are already conducted on a regular basis.

All buildings in NTU are inspected by a structural engineer every five years to ensure that they remain structurally sound, as mandated by the Building and Construction Authority.