Response to Adjournment Motion on “Fire Safety in Our Homes” - Speech by Mr Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development

1. Mr Speaker, I thank the Member, for his Adjournment Motion. I think today we have touched quite a bit on the topic of fire safety in our homes earlier in Question Time, as well as now during Adjournment Motion. I agree that fire safety in our home is an important topic – it is one that Singaporeans care deeply about, and therefore, I thank the Member for his Adjournment Motion. I agree with the central theme of his motion – that we must continue to be vigilant about fire risks, especially as our living environment change, especially when technologies and lifestyles and our demographics change.

2. Allow me to address his concerns in three parts:

(a) First, the overall residential fire situation I mentioned earlier, the approach towards fire safety at homes;

(b) Second, risks relating to Active Mobility Devices (AMDs); and

(c) Third, our community efforts.

Overview of Residential Fire Situation

3. I shared earlier during Question Time that the residential fire situation in Singapore is stable over the past five years.

4. The number of fatalities has also remained low, fewer than six on average per year in the past five years. I raise a correction – the Member mentioned that there were eight fatalities in 2025 by August 2025 – that’s inaccurate. We have six in the whole of 2025. In terms of Singapore’s overall fire fatality rate, it remains as one of the lowest internationally. It is something that we watch very carefully and this statistic is provided by a 2025 report by the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services.

5. Over the past five years, I would like to share that the top three causes of residential fires in Singapore have been (a) unattended cooking, which accounted for about one-third of cases; (b) fires of electrical origin; (c) and those arising from naked flames, such as candles. This means that the majority of fire incidents stem from human behaviour and practices, and are preventable.

6. Of course, we know that every fire is one too many, every death is too many. Fires escalate quickly, place lives at risk, and can have devastating and long-lasting consequences to both the individual, the families, even the neighbours. We must do our utmost to stay vigilant and minimise the risk– so in those regards, I believe I agree with the Member.

Overall Approach Towards Fire Safety in Homes

7. Now, the SCDF adopts a risk-based and pragmatic approach towards fire safety. Fire safety in residential buildings begins with good fire safety design, supported by enforcement, supported by early detection, early warning of fires, effective firefighting response, and public preparedness. We need all the different layers to come together, working in concert to be able to effectively reduce overall risk of fires.

Good Fire Safety Design

8. Now, all residential buildings in Singapore are designed and built in accordance with the prevailing Fire Code. I thank the Member for agreeing that existing Fire Code is robust. The Fire Code stipulates requirements, and in particular I would like to highlight the key principle is how every unit is a stand-alone fire compartment to limit fire spread prior to SCDF’s arrival. So, in this, our view is that we want to contain and keep the fire within the unit, and that is how we mitigate risk at a systemic level. And based on statistics, based on what we have observed, based on the fires that have taken place in recent years, this fire compartmentalisation principle is effective. The Member cited a few examples. In the case of Toa Payoh and Bukit Merah, the fires were indeed intense, but it was relatively contained within either that unit or within that floor, or one floor above. It did not spread as extensively, and this is in large part, because of the compartmentalisation principle.

9. The Member also mentioned locks, windows, and these are important considerations. The principle here I would like to highlight is we often have to trade off practicality as well. In this regard, security is also something Singaporeans will prioritise and value. At MHA, we often say low crime doesn’t mean no crime, and I think it is important for us to also ensure that we afford residents, Singaporeans, their choice in terms of what kind of locks for the doors and the windows. From the SCDF’s perspective, from MHA’s perspective, the fire compartmentalisation principle is good enough for us to proceed.

10. In addition, believe residents probably know how to exit the house in the quickest manner, because it is an environment that they are very familiar with, and they get out every single day, multiple times a day.

Having said so, the Fire Code is periodically updated. We continuously make sure that it’s updated with the latest advances in building design, new technologies, and also, an evolving understanding of fire risks. Additional provisions have been introduced over the years, such as adequate exit staircases to support swift evacuation, as well as fire engine access roads and rising mains to support SCDF’s firefighting operations. Older Residential Blocks

11. I would like to highlight that the introduction of more recent Fire Code provisions does not mean that older flats are unsafe. I think it is something that is very important to emphasise. We recognise that fire safety regulations must strike a balance once again, between risk reduction, practicality, and cost.

(a) Fire Code provisions are most effectively implemented in new developments at the design stage. It would be practically difficult to retrofit older buildings with newer building design requirements, such as widening the width of corridor doors. I think the member can appreciate why. Even if feasible, it will cause significant disruption and cost to both taxpayers and residents. Therefore, we apply the Fire Code to developments at the point of approval.

(b) And existing flats will be subject to SCDF’s strict regulatory oversight and inspections. Where feasible, we upgrade older HDB blocks with the latest and practical fire safety measure where we can, and we have done so, such as the installation of dry risers, and replacement of main entrance doors with fire-rated doors, and we believe that is a much better way to keep units, as well as the overall corridors and floors, safe.

(c) This approach has served us well and allows us to strike a balance between providing a robust fire safety regime and practicality.

12. I would like to reiterate that the introduction of more recent safety Fire Code provisions does not mean older flats are unsafe, and based on what I shared in terms of the most likely causes of fires, human behaviours and human practices tend to be the leading cause, and not infrastructure.

13. The Member also touched on fire safety in older point blocks, specifically on older point blocks, which is where I grew up in, so I feel for the point especially acutely. However, under the Fire Code, actually most residential buildings currently require two exit staircases to provide means of escape in case of evacuation, and that is valid for today’s Fire Code for new projects. The older point blocks require a single exit staircase, as stipulated by the Fire Code then, and based on the risk analysis, we believe that is wearable because there are only a few units per floor, so the number of evacuees are much reduced. Also, from practical perspectives, adding a second staircase in many of these blocks are simply not practical because of the layout. I think more importantly, over the years, what HDB has also done is to carry out various programmes to improve fire safety in some of these older point blocks – to bring them up to date with the Fire Code requirements at the point of upgrade, and we will keep doing that as a principle where we can, practically.

Enforcement Against Fire Safety Non-compliances

14. Effective enforcement is a necessary complement to a robust Fire Code. SCDF works very closely with the Town Councils and MCST to keep up with the inspection and enforcement regimes in our housing estates. The Member mentioned about the fire in Toa Payoh, where it was perceived, it was observed that the dry risers may not be working as intended. This is something that we are looking into, but the key here is not that the Fire Code is not working but that the testing and inspection regime may be something that the Member is suggesting we can increase the frequency of. Currently, we do have a regular annual inspection regime for these dry risers to make sure they are regular, but again, it is the practicality of striking a balance between how frequent we want to do it and making sure that it is operation ready. Of course, our objective is to make sure that it is ready every time, all the time. But we do need to strike a balance because of the number of flats around the island, and we do believe that the current frequency of inspection regime is adequate.

Early Detection of Fires

15. I have touched on strong fire safety design and enforcement. In addition to that, what is useful is early detection and response measures. Since 2018, Home Fire Alarm Devices, or HFADs, have been mandatory in all new homes. For existing homes, we adopted a risk-calibrated, a practical approach, and we have mandated it for homes which are carrying out fire safety related addition and alteration works. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage all homeowners to install HFADs, and homeowners can actually tap on the Home Improvement Programme and the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme to install HFADs at heavily subsidised rates. HFADs are also fully funded for public rental flats. I would like to inform the House that as of June last year, close to 200,000 HDB flats already have HFADs installed across Singapore through our subsidised schemes.

Effective Firefighting Response

16. Through the years, SCDF has continuously enhanced its firefighting capabilities. Technologies, such as aerial appliances and surveillance drones, are key enablers when deployed to tackle high-rise fires.

17. However, I would like to highlight that residents can also play a key part in firefighting response, prior to SCDF’s arrival. To this end, we have improved access to firefighting equipment so that residents can better tackle minor fires.

18. Singaporeans would notice that we have fire extinguishers and AEDs installed in almost every other HDB block. Hose reels and fire extinguishers are also available in common spaces such as coffeeshops, car parks, roof gardens, as required under the Fire Code.

Addressing AMD-Related Fires

19. Now, let me move on to Active Mobility Devices. While we continue to strengthen our collective response, we also regularly review the overall landscape for emerging risks.

20. Of which, one area of concern is AMDs. AMDs have improved mobility and independence for many residents. However, their lithium-ion batteries pose fire risks and hazards, and that can result in AMD fires burning hotter and spreading more rapidly.

21. Even though AMDs accounted for less than 5% of residential fires over the past five years, they have accounted for more than 10% of fire-related injuries and 25% of fatalities. And this disproportionate impact is concerning.

22. The risks are even higher with devices that do not comply with relevant safety standards. Between 2022 and 2025, of all AMD-related residential fires, more than 70% involved devices that were either not certified or tested to the relevant standards, or had been illegally modified.

23. And that is why the Government takes a strict enforcement approach towards the import, sale and use of non-compliant AMDs. Since June 2021, local retailers must seek LTA’s approval for the import of Personal Mobility Devices and Power Assisted Bicycles, and these devices must be compliant with safety standards. LTA also conducts regular enforcement operations against non-compliant AMDs on public footpaths, as well as retailers selling non-compliant AMDs. In the last five years, LTA has detected over 5,000 cases of non-compliant AMDs and took action against offenders including riders, owners, and retailers.

24. Now, to keep non-compliant AMDs away from our homes, MOT earlier today introduced the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill for First Reading. The Bill makes it an offence to keep unsafe devices, such as non-UL2272 certified e-scooters. MOT is also looking to strengthen regulations on the online sale of AMDs, and targets to make the necessary legislative amendments later this year. We believe that this graduated scaling up, in terms of measures against AMDs, is adequate at this juncture.

25. At the same time, enforcement must be complemented by public awareness and education. In this regard, the Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce, co-chaired by LTA and SCDF, will continue to outreach to AMD owners under the “Be Device-Safe” programme, especially on safe charging practices and the dangers of non-compliant AMDs.

Partnering the Community in Tackling Fire Safety Risks

26. While the Government continues to review our policies, programmes and regulations constantly, the best defence against home fires is an informed and prepared public. SCDF continues to work with Government agencies, as well as Town Councils and various community partners, to strengthen public education and outreach on public fire safety and emergency preparedness.

27. Ultimately, fire safety is a collective responsibility. Only when everyone comes together and remains vigilant, will we be able to further bring down the incidence of fires. We will continue to work hand in hand with Singaporeans, with residents, to make our homes safe.

28. Thank you, Speaker.