Why Are More Escalators Being Cordoned Off in Shopping Malls Lately?

The Blue Cats’ website: https://www.thebluecats.com.sg/ The Blue Cats' Instagram:   / singaporethebluecats   Singapore has more than 7,000 escalators across shopping malls, MRT stations, offices, and public buildings, and concerns about escalators being cordoned off for extended periods have been raised on forums such as HardwareZone and Reddit, as well as by content creator MrBrown. Between January and October 2023, there were 632 reported escalator incidents, but fewer than 3 percent stemmed from mechanical faults while the remaining 97 percent were linked to user behaviour. This indicates that escalators in Singapore do not break down frequently. Some cordoned-off escalators reflect planned maintenance rather than breakdowns. Escalator owners must engage BCA-registered contractors for monthly servicing, and escalators must undergo annual testing by a registered contractor in the presence of an independent authorised examiner. That certification is then used to apply for a Permit to Operate from BCA. Given the large number of escalators requiring regular servicing, some will be cordoned off at any given time. On 1 October 2025, the Building Control (Fixed Installations) Regulations 2025 took effect, covering fixed installations such as lifts, escalators, and mechanised car parking systems across their full lifecycle. The rules require approved design plans with an appointed Qualified Person, BCA-registered contractors for installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing, prescribed maintenance frequencies, annual examinations and testing, specific requirements for major alterations and replacements, and reporting of safety incidents to the Commissioner of Building Control within set time frames. A HardwareZone post complaining about widespread escalator maintenance began in November 2025, shortly after the regulations started. Since May 2026, several malls known to have escalators under maintenance for over a month were contacted by us, but they either did not respond after nearly a month or declined to comment. Two personal contacts at malls without escalators under maintenance advised against pursuing the story and refused to comment on the prolonged maintenance at other malls. The reasons behind the extended escalator closures remain unconfirmed.