Fire SafetyIn Singapore

Cpt yam yeow kiat

Scope

• Introduction

• Singapore regulatory System

Introduction

• Self intro

• History of fire code

Mission Statement

To protect and save lives and property for a safe and

secure Singapore

Objective of Fire Safety

Objective of fire life safety and property protection

Principle of Fire safety

• Prevention

• Communication

• Escape

• Containment

• Extinguishment

Self regulation scheme

• Started 1997

• QP

Notice of approval

QP shall make sure that the plan is in full compliance with technical requirements

QP (Qualified Persons) – Architects or Professional Engineers

Technical requirements• Fire Code

– how code are being reviewed

• From industry feedback

• From fire incident fire safety investigation

• Incident learned from oversea incident

– Standing committee

• Consist of representatives from …..

– Fire code committee

• Technical persons

– Working committee

Conservation Buildings

• Bldg built before 1969

• Conservation Guideline can apply

Technical requirements• Singapore Standard code of practice

– Technical Committee

– Working committee

• Other countries standards

So what if the technical requirement cannot be complied with

• Waiver - purpose

• Chaired by Commissioner SCDF

• If disapproved then QP can appeal in personIf further disapproved then can apply to Minister of Home Affairs.

Audit

• Plans audit (10%)

• Site Audit (10%)

• Counter measure for false declaration

Certificate of Supervision

• Purpose – QP to be responsible in supervising the construction process.

Inspection by RI

• Who is RI (Registered Inspection)

• Purpose

• Engage by Building owner/tenant

• Form 1 & 2

Issuance of TFP/FSC

• All plan submitted for approval shall apply

• Purpose

FSM Scheme

• Qualification

• Appointment

• FEP

Fire Certification

• Purpose

• QP needed to make sure the fire safety systems in the building are working

• Checking is based on the various codes of practice

• Required yearly renewal

• Audit

What is Fire Hazards

• Overcrowding of PE Outlets

• Obstruction to escape routes

•Any alteration on fire safety works

•Removal of any fire safety measure

• Lack of proper maintenance of fire

safety measures

•Any matter or circumstance which

increases the likelihood of fire

•Any other circumstance that hamper

duties during a fire

What is Fire Hazards

Obstructed Fire Fighting/ Safety Systems

Obstruction to passageway

Illegal

addition & alteration

Illegal addition

Illegal addition

Illegal alteration of Fire door to roller shutter

Illegal alteration to usage

Non-maintenance of fire safety

measures

Non Maintenance

Non maintenance

Removal of fire safety installation

Increase the likely hood of fire

Open flame cooking in workers dormitory

Hamper SCDF

operation

Obstruction to Landing Valve

• To investigate fire hazard complaints

• To conduct scheduled enforcement checks

• To carry out physical enforcement exercises

eg. seizure, removal, closure, etc.

• To detect existence of fire hazards

• To compound offences

•To conduct court prosecution

•To conduct ‘investigation’ at fire scene

•To process & endorse Occupant Load (OL) for

PE Outlets

Functions of

Enforcement Branch

Scheduled

Non-Scheduled or Complaint

Re-Inspection

Types of Enforcement

Checks

Enforcement stats

• Total no. of cases of feedback for Jan –Dec 2010 : (2920)

• Total no. of enforcement checks conducted for Jan – Dec 2010 : (11570)

Serving of Notice viz. FHAN

Composition/Fine viz. NOC & FSON

Types of Enforcement

Actions

Fire Safety Prohibition Order

Court Action

Consequences When charge to court:

• For fire hazard – Fail to comply > $10,000 max on conviction & $500 for

continuing offence.

• For unauthorized Fire Safety Works • Failure to comply >

• Maximum fine upon conviction > $50,000

• Imprisonment not exceeding 12 months

• Plus $1,000 fine for every day of continuing offence after conviction

Regulating of old buildings

• Conservation

• Non-conservation

• Conservation guideline

Existing (old) Buildings

• when code revised

– Building need not comply

– Only when having major retrofitting then we will the owner to upgrade

Conclusion By knowing how we regulate fire safety and hoping the imposing a more stringent requirement from insurer, we can bring fire safe environment in Singapore to the next higher level