Fire Safety Measures for Seniors or Residents with Mobility Impairments in High-Rise Fires and HDB Estates

Question:

Mr David Hoe: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what emergency evacuation protocols exist for high-rise fires involving seniors or residents with mobility impairments; (b) whether SCDF, in partnership with HDB Town Councils, will consider holding community fire drills to raise awareness; and (c) whether SCDF will consider piloting refuge points, evacuation chairs or neighbour-assist schemes in estates with substantial proportions of elderly.

Answer:

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

1.  When responding to a high-rise fire, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) prioritises the evacuation of occupants on the floor affected by the fire, and generally those residing in the two floors above. As every residential unit is designed as a fire compartment to prevent the spread of fire to adjacent units, residents on the other floors should remain in their units, and will only be evacuated if SCDF assesses that it is necessary.

2. Super high-rise residential buildings that are over 40 storeys are designed with refuge floors at intervals of not more than 20 storeys. These serve as a safe holding area so that residents do not have to travel many floors down to leave the building in case of a fire.

3. Seniors and residents with mobility impairments who cannot evacuate independently should stay within their units in a safe room, close the door, inform the authorities about their location, and await assistance for evacuation. This approach is aligned with international best practices and seeks to minimise injuries or mishaps that may result from the self-evacuation of less mobile residents.

4. Community support for these residents, particularly prior to the arrival of the authorities, can also make a difference. In this regard, the SCDF worked with the Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency grassroots organisations to launch ‘Fire Safety Kakis’, on 1 March 2025. This is a community volunteer initiative to help evacuate the elderly and vulnerable in the event of a fire in their home or block.

5. The Member may refer to similar Parliamentary Questions filed for the sittings on 23 and 24 September 2025 for his queries on community fire drills and evacuation chairs respectively.