Review of fire safety inspection requirements for residential HDB blocks especially taller or more complex developments

Question:

Dr Charlene Chen: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will review the fire safety inspection requirements for purely residential HDB blocks, including whether periodic independent inspections by qualified fire safety professionals should be required for taller or more complex developments, taking into account the evolving height, density and complexity of public housing.

Answer:

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

1. Fire safety provisions for residential buildings are prescribed under the Fire Code in accordance with the scale, design, and usage of each building.

2. For tall HDB blocks, the Fire Code requires additional fire safety measures – such as rising mains and fire lifts – to support the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in its firefighting operations. These measures must be kept in working order, and Town Councils are required to engage independent industry professionals to conduct regular inspections and tests on them. SCDF also carries out its own site inspections to verify that buildings remain compliant with the requirements.

3. SCDF reviews the Fire Code on a regular basis to ensure fire safety requirements stay relevant and fit for purpose, and remain aligned with the evolving standards of the built environment.