I have gone to the site on several occasions and during the rain also as I am very interested in this project.
Don't you guys think that the slope looks dangerous.
Anyone knows if the guidelines for hill slope developments and in particular this case, Zefer Hill uses the same guidelines as when Bukit Antarabangsa condos were built or is there a different guideline now.

ermm good questions.. but i dunno..

Will try ask this coming Saturday.

I have checked with the SA before and she has helped me check this with the project manager.
they say that the overall slope gradient is less than 25 degrees. upon further research, seems to be ok for condos built on less than 25 degrees slopes.

maybe someone else can confirm on this. or ask more about it.

the slope less than 25 degree??? i think more than that lee...

if u have time, u go at the back of Atmosfera.. the slope also quite high but they buy just few palang to support the whole building... u can see it at the side of the house behind...

I am sure this is not a trivial issue. It is our lives that we are talking about here apart from the cost of >500k that we are forking out for this project. The problem is, I like the concept of this project and the view that I am willing to forgo the somewhat bad access road to it. What I cannot compromise is the hill slope and the danger it might pose to me and my family.

Kanasaikuat, would the developer be able to confirm on the measures taken by them to address the soil erosion issue. Would the developer be building retention walls at the hill slope and if not, can they ensure the buyers / potential buyers that it is safe and void of future soil erosion? I have read in another thread about soil erosion matters in Puchong and it troubles me and my wife. Kanasaikuat, I do not know if you are planning to ask the SA on this issue but I think they may not be in any position to give you any confirmation or on the minute details on soil testing and soil erosion measures.

If I am not mistaken, it was the underground flow of water in the soil under the Bkt Antarabangsa condo that took the condo down. The foundation was still strong but it went down nevertheless.

---

Added on April 18, 2012, 2:16 pmLess than 25 degrees?? You should take a better look at the slopes or better still, take the SA along. A properly built retaining wall would serve as a comfort to owners at this area. Not sure of the cost to maintain this wall but it would be another issue and not sure if this costs would be borne by the owners and included in the maintenance fees. I believe this issues must be addressed and I may turn up at the sales office this Saturday. Without any confirmation on these issues, I will not jump into the bandwagon.

This post has been edited by normanbates: Apr 18 2012, 02:16 PM

you have a good point there. do share with us once you've grilled the SA about it this Saturday. I'm sure all of us have concerns about it too.

I'll ask again about it too. I'm sure if most of us do that, they'll need to do something to ensure our peace of mind.

This post has been edited by mysticalstarz: Apr 18 2012, 03:25 PM

[quote=mysticalstarz,Apr 18 2012, 03:22 PM]

---

Added on April 18, 2012, 2:16 pm
Less than 25 degrees?? You should take a better look at the slopes or better still, take the SA along. A properly built retaining wall would serve as a comfort to owners at this area. Not sure of the cost to maintain this wall but it would be another issue and not sure if this costs would be borne by the owners and included in the maintenance fees. I believe this issues must be addressed and I may turn up at the sales office this Saturday. Without any confirmation on these issues, I will not jump into the bandwagon.

[/quote]
[CODE]

you have a good point there. do share with us once you've grilled the SA about it this Saturday. I'm sure all of us have concerns about it too.

I'll ask again about it too. I'm sure if most of us do that, they'll need to do something to ensure our peace of mind.

[/quote]

This was a reply from SA when I enquire about the condo. Just to share with you guys. But of course, if anyone of you could grill them for more information it would be better.

Q1 : Zefer is built beside the slope. What is the degree of slope where Zefer will be built on?

A1. The overall slope gradients is less than 25 degree.

Q2 : Is there any regular maintenance on the slope and what are the regular maintenance to be performed? How often will that be?

A2 : There are various monitoring instrumentation for the project which, during and post construction. Piezometer standpipes and inclinometer will be installed to monitor any movement in ground during construction.
Monitoring after project completed will be carried on 3-4 times a year.

Q3 : What type of structures will be built to prevent slope failure? What are the safety precaution taken by the developer to prevent slope failure?

A3 : The foundation will be bored pile structures which, boring will be until hard layer of earth. Safety precaution are as explained in Item 2 above. If the Purchaser noticed, most of the building will be on flat ground.

Q4 : Has any independent body checked on the slope?

A4 : IKRAM is the approving authority for our proposed foundation structures.

Q5 : Any action to be taken by the developer to built alternative road to Zefer or widen the road as there is only 1 road in/out for all the condominium over there.

A5 : There are upgrading of existing roads only, to include create free-flow going-out traffic lane from zefer to jln bandar puchong jaya, and signalised junction.

Actually during my visit to the site... I was initially concerned too bout the slope... but as I walk around the site and check it out from the side by the road leading to Koi Kinrara... I find that the slope actually sites on a rock bed... which is good news to everyone...

As for the concern of underground river flow... I believe the site is too highly situated to be affected as under ground rivers usually flow from the foot of a hill/mountain and gradually flow out to be as the same level as the soil water level...... Of course only a underground Investigative probe study could verify the density of the layers of soil on the site hence indicating if a underground river exist...

If you are really concern... I believe you can go request a copy of their pre-EIA, or EIA report from the developer or local council; which they must have conducted since they informed you there are scheduled examination of the site and the entire project is more than 1.5mil hence making the report compulsory...

in that report.. it will have details of every aspect of the project especially soil testing and underground investigation since it's a slope project... and Because it's a slope project it is considered sensitive development area so you can be sure your local authorities will definitely pay more attention to it...

waaa.. you guys seem has done alot of research on it..

me pulak go make booking without asking much on such important questions... shame on myself...

[quote=suety86,Apr 18 2012, 03:26 PM]
[CODE]

you have a good point there. do share with us once you've grilled the SA about it this Saturday. I'm sure all of us have concerns about it too.

I'll ask again about it too. I'm sure if most of us do that, they'll need to do something to ensure our peace of mind.

[/quote]

This was a reply from SA when I enquire about the condo. Just to share with you guys. But of course, if anyone of you could grill them for more information it would be better.

Q1 : Zefer is built beside the slope. What is the degree of slope where Zefer will be built on?

A1. The overall slope gradients is less than 25 degree.

Q2 : Is there any regular maintenance on the slope and what are the regular maintenance to be performed? How often will that be?

A2 : There are various monitoring instrumentation for the project which, during and post construction. Piezometer standpipes and inclinometer will be installed to monitor any movement in ground during construction.
Monitoring after project completed will be carried on 3-4 times a year.

Q3 : What type of structures will be built to prevent slope failure? What are the safety precaution taken by the developer to prevent slope failure?

A3 : The foundation will be bored pile structures which, boring will be until hard layer of earth. Safety precaution are as explained in Item 2 above. If the Purchaser noticed, most of the building will be on flat ground.

Q4 : Has any independent body checked on the slope?

A4 : IKRAM is the approving authority for our proposed foundation structures.

Q5 : Any action to be taken by the developer to built alternative road to Zefer or widen the road as there is only 1 road in/out for all the condominium over there.

A5 : There are upgrading of existing roads only, to include create free-flow going-out traffic lane from zefer to jln bandar puchong jaya, and signalised junction.

[/quote]


1. I seriously doubt answer no 1;

2. We need to confirm if answer to no 2, 3 and 4 consist of all the measures to be taken in accordance to the regulations set by the authorities with regards to hill slope condominium projects;
(Hope someone can provide insight if there is any change in the regulations after the Bkt Antarabangsa tragedy?)

3. Further on answer no 2 above, would the said 3-4 times a year checking be done during the first year after completion or will this be an ongoing thing. I say this because this would require extra costs and who will bear this cost after VP is given to the buyers?

4. As to no 5, other than tarring the road, I doubt the road leading to Zefer can be widen given the narrow access between Villamas Apartment and the 'sport complex' (badminton courts).

A recommendation from me lah.. if we have doubt about the degree of the slope... anyone of us can easily go measure by ourself using a simple compass or 1 of them high tech altimeter and do some math to get the degree...

Just my 2 cents...

Thanks, Jall for the input. Hill slopes are indeed sensitive development area especially for high rise products.

Normanbates : No problem...

And regarding the slope measurement... If you have an iphone.. which almost everyone does.. download this iphone app call Theodelite Free...

You will get a degree of slope instantly if u go to the site....

have you try that b4 Jall?? what is the degree??

i am andriod user... there is a app called ISENSE Theodelite... i will go try it out on weekend.. hahaha..

I haven't measured before using the app... but reading from the topograhic map just now... I'm estimating our lil hill is probably only at 40-60m height... and looking at old satellite images which you can see on google earth... there was already slope retention and preservation work in the form of cascading steps on the slope; done way before atmosfera was completed... so to me... now it looks like Zefer is most likely building at the edge of a drop instead of a hill....

so it's a matter of prospective lah it's good news or bad... hahahaha

I have been reading this thread but am indeed surprise to see no serious discussion on the most important issue, safety in hill slope high rise project. Hence, I have gone to the site many times already. Even the guard at Atmosfera knows me already.

Just downloaded Theodelite Free on my iphone. Don't know how to use lar. Looks very complicated.

Guys, refer to the Page 9 POLICIES & LEGISLATION. there is a guide for developer to follow.

SLOPE ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

This post has been edited by Chunkit9: Apr 18 2012, 04:58 PM

The app is pretty easy to use... just put like a stick/cardboard on the floor of the slope you want to measure... preferably at the middle of the slope... and then open the app... put your phone on landscape on top of the stick/cardboard with the phone screen facing you.... and read the results displayed on the left.. under horizon angle....

Got it. Thanks, Jall.