Fire Safety Measures for Building External Walls

Question:

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in light of the recent tragic fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, (a) whether the Government will be reviewing existing fire safety measures and industry practices in the repair and renovations of external walls of high-rise buildings; and (b) whether there are continual inspection regime to assess the fire safety risks of external features and materials erected or attached to high-rise building.

Answer:

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

1. As part of its efforts to ensure fire safety, the Singapore Civil Defence Force ( SCDF ) conducts regular enforcement checks on worksites to ensure that building owners fully comply with the relevant fire safety requirements, including the use of only features or materials attached to building façades which had been approved by SCDF.

2. The Ministry of Manpower also conducts worksite inspections to ensure compliance with the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, including measures to address work-related fire risks.

3. The Government has started reviewing the early observations from ongoing investigations into the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong, and is studying whether we need to strengthen the relevant regulations for works during the construction and maintenance of residential buildings in order to better manage fire safety risks. The outcome of this ongoing review will be announced in due course.