Apartment wall collapses after water tank bursts (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: A water tank atop a 12-storey apartment block here burst early today and damaged 12 apartment units, sending broken concrete slabs crashing to the ground. A Proton Wira and a motorcycle parked below were also damaged.
Although no one was hurt, the incident at Pangsapuri Cheras Utama along Jalan CU 4A, has raised questions about who is responsible for the maintenance and safety checks, particularly of ageing water tanks at highrise buildings in the country.
In an immediate response, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said it was not its job. A spokesman, who requested anonymity, said DBKL was not responsible for checking such tanks, as it falls under the management corporations of the buildings.
"DBKL is not responsible for the physical condition of the tanks. It is the job of the management corporations to inspect and collect funds for maintenance, as we know that all tanks have a life expectancy," he said.
Department of Occupational Safety and Health director-general Datuk Mohtar Musri, when contacted, said the responsibility should fall under the management corporation and the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT).
Mohtar said his department only oversees damage of water tanks in buildings that are under construction.
The ministry could not be reached for comment.
Resident Mohd Adzmi Othman, 48, whose unit on the top floor was the worst hit, said he and his family were given a rude shock around 1am while they were sleeping, and had initially thought the building was collapsing.
Only upon regaining his composure and inspecting what had happened did he find out that part of of his apartment wall had collapsed after the water tank burst.
"We heard a loud bang, and did not expect it to be from the water tank, which is located just between my house and a neighbour's. I only realised it was caused by the water tank after I went out and saw it was badly broken," he told theSun today.
Mohd Adzmi, who has lived in the apartment since it first opened 11 years ago, said other damage in his unit included his television, a Hi-Fi set, an Astro decoder and a mattress, adding that 11 other houses also suffered damage to their balconies and window grills.
He said he had also been given assurance by the management corporation that his house would be given priority in the repair works, and that they would be compensated for all the damage.
Mohd Adzmi, who lives with his wife and four children, said the apartment's water tank had experienced damage and leakages over the years, but was never replaced.
"About three days ago, they emptied the tank again for repairs. Once it was done, and was fully filled up, that was when I think the tank gave way, due to the pressure of the water in it," he said.
A representative of the management corporation said they could only resort to repairing the old water tank as the cost for a new one would be between RM200,000 and RM300,000.
"We don't have a specific allocation for water tanks. And we can't afford a new one. What we normally do with a leaked water tank is we only replace the broken or cracked panel with a new one. Maybe its life expectancy has come to an end, as it's been over 10 years," he said when contacted.
He added the management corporation is currently working with contractors to have water supplied back to the affected block by tomorrow.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Sani Harul said the department received a call from the public regarding the incident at 1.30am today, and rushed seven firefighters to the scene.