Installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices in Older HDB Units and Corridors

Question:

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what percentage of pre-2018 HDB units lack Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs); (b) what cost-benefit analysis supports not mandating HFADs for older units when it is compulsory for new HDB homes; (c) whether HFADs will be mandated for all units/corridors of older HDB blocks; and (d) whether linkage to centralised building systems will be considered for efficient evacuations.

Answer:

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

1. As of June 2025, Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) have been installed in about 191,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, or 17% of all HDB flats. Of these, 74,000 flats or 39% were built prior to 2018.

2. In 2018, we made it mandatory for all new residential premises to have HFADs. For existing residential premises, we took a risk-calibrated approach and only mandated it for homes which are carrying out fire safety related addition and alteration works. This was to strike a balance in wanting to ensure its adoption, but in a practical manner. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage all homeowners to install HFADs and have put in place several schemes to support them in doing so.

3. More than 80% of HDB public rental flats already have HFADs installed, and HDB will progressively install HFADs in the remaining 20%. The installation of HFADs is done at no charge to the tenants.

4. In 2024, Ministry of National Development expanded the Enhancement for Active Seniors programme to include the installation of HFADs. Seniors can enjoy a subsidy of up to 95% to install HFADs in their homes.

5. HFADs are also installed as part of fire safety works, under the Home Improvement Programme in cases where fire-rated doors are installed.

6. We will continue to review the fire safety of our HDB flats. However, we do not see a need for HFADs at HDB corridors, or for centralised building fire management systems, at this juncture.