Marina Square removes bollards from its escalators after viral video shows floor plate lifted

UPDATE on Dec. 9 at 5:35pm: This article has been updated with a statement from Singapore Land Group.

Marina Square has removed magnetic bollards from its escalators after a viral video showed that one could be lifted, along with the floor plate, to reveal the moving escalator steps beneath.

@jaysng8 Hopefully situation is resolved asap! It’s dangerous!#escalator #dangerous ♬ original sound - Jay SNg

The video

In a clip posted to TikTok on Nov. 27, user "jaysng8" demonstrated himself pushing against the bollard at one of the mall's escalators, which caused the entire floor plate to be lifted.

Pointing at the space containing the moving escalator mechanism, Sng said, "People could fall inside".

Sng's video has garnered 164,000 views as of Dec. 6.

As to how he found out about this possibility, Sng said in response to a comment that the floor plate looked "misaligned" and wobbled when his daughter was walking on it, so he tried nudging the bollard to test it.

Sng added that he has informed the mall's management about the matter.

A later part of the video showed a mall security personnel appearing to inspect the bollard.

While some commenters questioned if mall-goers would intentionally push against the bollard, most agreed with Sng that such a situation could prove dangerous.

A few surmised that the previous technician may have neglected to secure the floor plate.

Building owners should fasten the floor plates: BCA

In response to Mothership's enquiries, a Building Construction Authority (BCA) spokesperson said that it is aware of the TikTok video and is working with the mall to address the matter.

The spokesperson noted that when a bollard is unintentionally pushed or pulled, the turning force could cause the floor plate to be lifted.

Floor plates can be secured with mechanical fasteners to counter this, the spokesperson added.

"BCA has reminded building owners to fasten the floor plates for escalators if the same could happen when using such bollards," the spokesperson said.

Removed the bollard from all escalators on Nov. 28: Mall

The Singapore Land Group, which manages Marina Square, told Mothership that they were notified of the incident on Nov. 28.

"The safety of our shoppers is of utmost importance. We have since removed the bollard from all escalators on the same day," the organisation said.

"We are working closely with BCA on the investigations and follow up actions," it added.

Top image from jaysng8/TikTok