Under the Fire Safety Act 1993, anyone who intends to carry out fire safety works in a building in Singapore must first obtain SCDF's approval of the plans, unless the works are exempt or qualify for a simpler route. The technical standard is SCDF's Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings, now the Fire Code 2023. For most owners and tenants there are three routes.
Route 1: Exempt works
The Fire Safety (Exemption) Order exempts certain works from plan submission. The exemption applies only when the conditions in the Order's schedule are met. Read those conditions before relying on them, because "it's small" is not one of them. Exempt works must still comply with the Fire Code.
Route 2: Minor addition and alteration (Minor A&A)
Works that are not exempt but fall within SCDF's schedule of minor alterations can go through a lodgement instead of full plan approval. The Qualified Person lodges them with SCDF through CORENET before the works start. It is faster and lighter than plan approval, but it still needs a QP, and the QP takes responsibility for compliance.
Route 3: Plan approval
Everything else needs approved plans before work starts. Typical cases are new buildings, major A&A, and changes to a building's fire strategy, compartmentation or smoke control. Plans are prepared by the QPs (architect and PEs), and the mechanical PE covers systems such as sprinklers, risers, hose reels, mechanical smoke control and pressurisation.
Performance-based designs
Where a design departs from the Fire Code's prescriptive provisions, SCDF has a performance-based plan approval process. It involves a fire safety engineer and an independent peer review. Plan for the extra time and fees early.
At completion: the Fire Safety Certificate
Before a building or the affected part is occupied, SCDF generally requires a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC), or a Temporary Fire Permit in some cases. Testing and commissioning reports, endorsed by the QP, are part of getting there.
Where fit-outs go wrong
In our experience the problems are usually small and come from coordination:
- New ceilings, bulkheads or partitions that obstruct sprinkler spray patterns or create unprotected spaces.
- Ducts that pass through compartment walls without the required fire dampers.
- Kitchen exhaust ducts installed without the required fire protection.
- Changes to an approved fire safety installation that the tenant didn't know had been approved.
Each is cheaper to fix on the drawing than on site.
Mechanical items to check
| System | Common fit-out trigger |
|---|---|
| Sprinklers | New rooms, ceiling height changes, storage racking |
| Hose reels and risers | Relocated walls that change coverage or access |
| Smoke control and pressurisation | Changes to doors, lobbies or ceiling voids |
| Fire dampers | New ducts through compartment walls or floors |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Minor A&A submission to SCDF?
Minor addition and alteration (Minor A&A) is a lodgement route for fire safety works that fall within SCDF's schedule of minor alterations. The Qualified Person lodges them through CORENET before the works start, instead of applying for full plan approval.
Are any fire safety works exempt from SCDF plan submission?
Yes. The Fire Safety (Exemption) Order exempts certain works from plan submission, but only if the conditions in its schedule are met. Exempt works must still comply with the Fire Code.
Who can submit fire safety plans to SCDF?
A Qualified Person: a registered architect or Professional Engineer, depending on the works. Mechanical fire protection systems are typically endorsed by a mechanical PE.
