Extending subsidised rates for home fire alarm devices to all HDB flats

Question:

Ms Cassandra Lee: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs given that as at June 2025, about 17% of HDB flats have Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) installed, whether the Ministry will (i) consider extending HFAD provision to all HDB flats at subsidised rates similar to those under the HDB’s Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) 2.0 programme and (ii) explore enabling HFADs to send alerts to homeowners’ mobile devices when they are not at home.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. Since June 2018, it has been mandatory for all new residential premises, and existing residential premises undergoing fire safety related addition and alteration works, to install home fire alarm devices (HFADs). For existing premises built before 2018, we have not mandated the installation of HFADs, but strongly encourage it. This is to strike a balance between fire safety and practicality for homeowners.

2. For existing homeowners who wish to install HFADs, we have extensive financial support schemes to help them. For example, HFADs installed as part of fire safety works under the Home Improvement Programme are heavily subsidised, as are HFADs in households with elderly residents, under the HDB’s EASE programme. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) also provides HFADs free of charge to tenants of public rental flats.

3. We thank the Member for her suggestion to consider HFADs that are capable of sending alerts to homeowners’ mobile devices. Such HFADs are commercially available and homeowners can procure them if they wish to.

4. The Government will continue to review and adopt effective fire safety solutions, as well as the financial support available for the public to install such equipment.