Circulars

The SCDF has commenced its 20th FSE registration exercise and is inviting applications for registration as an FSE. The closing date for this application is on 31 Jan 2024. 2. The criteria for application are as follows: (a) Possess at least a degree qualification in the field of fire safety engineering; (b) Have at least five continuous years of relevant practical experience in the design of fire safety works in buildings acquired after obtaining the degree in para 2(a), of which at least three years in aggregate shall involve projects based on fire safety engineering solutions; and (c) Must have maintained a clean record and not found guilty of an offence under the Fire Safety Act, Professional Engineers Act or Architects Act.

SCDF is pleased to announce the release of the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2023, commonly known as Fire Code, on 25 Aug 2023. The Code serves as an authoritative source on fire safety standards for local buildings and is used by the industry in designing fire safety works in buildings. The amendments which were deliberated and accepted by the Fire Code Review Committee are attached as Annex A, B, C, D and E of this circular. 2. The review of the Code was conducted by the Fire Code Review Committee, which is led by SCDF and comprises representatives from the building industry, government agencies and academic institutions. Amendments stipulated in this Annexes shall take effect from the dates specified therein. For those amendments that are to take effect at future dates as specified in Annex A, C, D and E, Qualified Persons are encouraged to comply with the requirements before the effective dates. Any proposed plans of fire safety works for new buildings or existing buildings that are submitted to SCDF for approval on or after the effective dates shall be subjected to the amendments made to the Fire Code. The requirements stated in Annex C shall also apply to Rapid Transit System (RTS). 3. The implementation of this new Code takes effect on 1st Mar 2024. The grace period is to give the building industry sufficient lead time to plan ahead for any new building projects. Any proposed plans of fire safety works for new buildings or alteration/ alteration works to existing buildings that are submitted to SCDF for approval on or after the effective date will be subjected to the new Code. Notwithstanding the above, SCDF has no objection to the adoption of the new Code with immediate effect by the industry. Its electronic version is made available at SCDFs website, www.scdf.gov.sg.

As part of our continuous review process, SCDF and BCA have jointly completed a review of the Technical Requirements for Household Shelters (TRHS). The review covered the prevailing TRHS 2017 with the aim of regularising the changes made through the issuance of past circulars, ensuring that the stipulated requirements remain relevant and providing greater design flexibility to the building industry.

SCDF would like to issue the 12th batch of amendments to the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2018 (Fire Code 2018). The amendments which were deliberated and accepted by the Fire Code Review Committee are attached as Annex A & Annex B of this circular. 2. Amendments stipulated in these Annexes shall take effect from the dates specified therein. For those amendments that are to take effect at future date as specified in Annex A, Qualified Persons are encouraged to comply with the requirements before the effective date. Any proposed plans of fire safety works for new buildings or existing buildings that are submitted to SCDF for approval on or after the effective date shall be subjected to the amendments made to the Fire Code.

The SS 299:2021 Singapore Standard for Singapore Standard for code of practice for fire-resistant cables of rated voltage up to and including 600/1000v for fixed installations, having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire requirements and test method was officially published on 22 Oct 2021 by the Enterprise Singapore and had conducted a webinar on this review on 26 Aug 2022. 2. The adoption of this new standard takes effect on 1 Sep 2023. The grace period is to give the building industry sufficient lead time to plan ahead for any new building projects. Any proposed plans of fire safety work for new buildings / premises or alteration / alteration works to existing buildings / premises that are submitted to SCDF for approval on or after the effective date will be subjected to the new standard. Notwithstanding the above, SCDF has no objectionto the adoption of the new standard with immediate effect or immediately after the official publication date by the Enterprise Singapore.