Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on Whether Fire-rated Glass can be Mandated for Use in Windows of High-rise Buildings

Questions:

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether HDB can consider using fire-rated glass for windows of high-rise HDB flats, to prevent glass shatter from height in the event of fire.

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether fire-rated glass can be mandated for use in the windows of high-rise buildings or HDB flats, to prevent glass shatter from height in the event of fire.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1.   The Fire Code regulates the fire rating of glass when it is used for building features that compartmentalise spaces to prevent fire spread, for example, glass doors and interior glass partitions.

2.   On the other hand, windows are generally not building features that compartmentalise spaces, nor have they been a safety risk during fires. Fire incident sites are usually cordoned off, so that any glass debris would not hurt the public, and there have not been related injuries based on Singapore Civil Defence Force’s records. Hence, the Fire Code does not mandate the use of fire-rated glass for windows of high-rise buildings, including Housing and Development Board flats.