Singapore Civil Defence Force FIRE SAFETY ISSUES AT SHOPPING OUTLETS

AND COMMONLY FOUND NON COMPLIANCES

FIRE SAFETY ISSUES AT SHOPPING OUTLETS

AND COMMONLY FOUND NON COMPLIANCES

SCOPE

Introduction

Case Studies

Common Fire Safety Issues

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Large places of congregation

High patronage

Invulnerability attitude of shoppers

Threat of a FIRE INCIDENT is very real!

DISCLAIMER

13 March 2009

At least 7 killed & 50 injured

22-story mall, which has more

than 2,000 stores and cafes.

BASHUNDHARA CITY MALL @ DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Source: telegraph.co.uk

28 May 2012

At least 19 killed & 17

injured

Has over 200 stores,

including many

famous brands in the

U.S., U.K., Italian and

German markets.

VILLAGGIO MALL @ DOHA, QATAR

Source:gulfnews.com

Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Source:news.com.au Source:thetimes.co.uk

20 February 2015

At least 10 killed & 8

injured

Two-story commercial

building, which

contained seven shops

and a car repair-shop

MUSSAFAH @ ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Source: me-newswire.net

21 November 1972

09 killed

Senior electrician panicked

and forgot to turn on

emergency power resulting

in 08 trapped in lift and

subsequently killed

ROBINSON’S DEPARTMENTAL STORE FIRE

Source: straitstimes.com

21 April 2010

PEOPLE’S PARK COMPLEX @ OUTRAM

Source: Asiaone.com

SIMILARITIES

Lack of best safe practices

Non-maintenance fire fighting provisions

Inadequate fire safety provisions

FSM plays a KEY role in advising building

owners on fire safety aspects!

WESTGATE @ JURONG EAST

April 2015

Source: Stomp

Source: Stomp

Source: Stomp Source: Stomp

Source: Channelnewsasia.com

FAR EAST PLAZA @ ORCHARD ROAD

October 2015

Source: Channelnewsasia.com

November 2015

TAMPINES 1 @ TAMPINES

Source: Todayonline.com Source: thenewpaper online

Source: Straitstimes.com

LUCKY PLAZA @ ORCHARD ROAD

Source: Channel Newsasia

December 2015

Source : Channelnewsasia.com

JEM @ JURONG EAST

January 2016

Source : Channelnewsasia.com

Source: Todayonline.com

PARKWAY PARADE @ Marine Parade

May 2016

Source: Todayonline.com

CHANGE OF USE OF ATRIUM SPACES

Indoor event at Shopping Malls

Application for Temporary Change of Use Permit (TP)

Adequate fire safety measures

Adhere to set of fire safety requirements

Source: Singapore-guide.com

CHANGE OF USE OF ATRIUM SPACES

Submission of plans for approval

Fire-based shows / “open-flame” cooking activities /

pyrotechnic displays, are required to consult SCDF on the

fire safety conditions & obtain separate approval

No hazardous and toxic materials (e.g. LPG, flammable

gases)

Crowd control measures

Designed occupancy load of building cannot be exceeded

More information on SCDF official website

o https://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/buildi

ng-professionals/fire-safety-permit-and-

certification/temporary-change-use.html

FIRE HAZARDS

Fire Hazards

Obstruction to means of escape (exit door, escape

route)

Obstruction to fire safety measures (Fire Access

Panel, Fire Engine Access)

Non-maintenance of fire safety measure (exit light,

emergency lighting, hosereel, fire extinguisher, fire

alarm panel)

Missing / removal of fire safety measures

Overcrowding

Storage of combustible material

PRIVATE SALES

Closing of roller shutters at entrances/ exits to limit

access to shopping area

o Impedes evacuation during emergencies

Crowd Control measures

o Stationing wardens at entrances at all times

Display directional signs and instructions to inform public

OBSTRUCTION TO ESCAPE MEANS

Obstruction to escape route such as might

render escape in the event of fire more

difficult

OBSTRUCTION TO ESCAPE MEANS

Obstruction to escape route / exit door

NON MAINTENANCE OF FS MEASURES

False Alarm / Malfunction

‘The boy who cried wolf’

Occupants becoming complacent to frequent false alarm

activations

Hampers evacuation process

False Alarm/ Malfunction

Servicing of fire alarm system i.e. heat/ smoke detectors,

sprinkler systems

Isolating zone during construction work and re-arming alarm

system once work completed for the day

o Need to ensure zone fully monitored for fire/ incident

during temporary isolation

NON MAINTENANCE OF FS MEASURES

NON MAINTENANCE / OBSTRUCTION OF FS MEASURES

Non-Maintenance / Obstruction of Fire fighting Measures

OVERCROWDING

During festive periods, sales and public holidays

Impedes evacuation during emergencies

Instituting crowd control measures

Source: reutersmedia.net

Fire Hazards Trend

Fire Hazards

(Commercial)

FIRE HAZARDS

Fire Safety Violations

Contravention to requirements in Fire Safety Act and its

regulations

o Storage or mismanagement of Petroleum and

Flammable Material (P&FM)

o Carrying out Fire Safety Works without approval

o Change of use of premises

USAGE OF LPG WITHIN AIR CONDITIONED PREMISES

Indiscriminate usage of LPG cylinders within

air conditioned premises

Problem rampant in older shopping centres

WHY LPG IS DANGEROUS?

UNAUTHORISED CHANGE OF USE

Fire Safety Violations Trend

Fire Safety Violations

(Commercial)

Shopping outlet operators responsible in ensuring fire safety measures are adequate and comply with requirements

Lives of patrons in your hands when they patronise your outlets

So, play YOUR part to ensure that their safety is well taken care of

CONCLUSION

Thank

You!

Shop with ease of mind in a fire safe

environment