Introduction
• Joint review by Fire Code Review Committee
• To ensure up to date fire safety standards shaped by changing
building development trends as well as needs of the building industry
• Incorporating changes previously disseminated via circulars
Update to
• Chapter 4 -Site Planning & External Fire Fighting Provision
• Chapter 8 - Other Systems
Update to Chapter 4
Site Planning & External Fire Fighting Provision
Purpose : To make provision for space around buildings to enable effective mounting of rescue and external fire fighting operations
Chapter 4 -Update/Add
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Cl.4.2.2(a)(ii)
Cl.4.2.2(a)(iii)
Cl.4.2.2(a)(v)
Cl.4.2.2(b)(i)
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Cl.4.2.3(a)
Cl.4.2.3(e)
Clause 4.4.1 REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Cl.4.4.1(a)(ii)
Cl.4.4.1(d)
Clause 4.4.2 WATER SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Cl.4.4.2(a)
Cl.4.4.2(b)(ii)
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.2.2(a)(ii) For buildings
under purpose group II, no
accessway will be required
for buildings that do not
exceed the habitable height
of 10m. However, fire engine
access road having
minimum 4m width for
access by pump appliance
shall be provided to within a
travel distance of 60m of
every point on the projected
plan area of the building.
The requirement for fire
engine access road shall
not apply to non-residential
standalone building, such
as clubhouse, carpark, etc.
(excluding guardhouse and
substation) that are located
within the housing
development.
Cl.4.2.2(a)(ii) For buildings under
purpose group II, no accessway
will be required for buildings that
do not exceed the habitable
height of 10m. However, fire
engine access road having
minimum 4m width for access by
pump appliance shall be provided
to within a travel distance of 60m
of every point on the projected
plan area of the building.
The This requirement for fire
engine access road shall not
apply to non-residential
standalone building, such as
clubhouse, carpark, etc.
(excluding guardhouse and
substation) that are located
within the housing development.
The non-residential standalone
building shall comply with
Cl.4.2.2(a)(iv) and Cl.4.2.2(b)(i).
The revision convey that non-
residential buildings within a
residential development are
subject to the relevant set of
accessibility requirement.
Non residential building such as
car park shall be categorised
differently from Purpose Group II.
The risk level for non-residential
space is higher than that of a
residential. As such, it shall not
be sharing the same requirement
as residential development.
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Light Fire Attack Vehicle (Red Rhino)
Cl.4.2.2(b)(i) For buildings under purpose groups III, IV, V and VII exceeding the habitable
height of 10m, accessway shall be located directly below the access openings to provide
direct outreach to the access openings. Accessway shall be provided based on the largest
gross floor area of the following:
(1) any floor including 1st storey,
(2) if there are more than one floor interconnected, the aggregate areas of all the floor
interconnected.
Cl. 4.2.2(a)(iv) For buildings under purpose groups III, IV, V and VII not exceeding the
habitable height of 10m, accessway will not be required. However, provision of fire engine
access road having minimum 4m width for pump appliance will be required to within a travel
distance of 45m of every point on the projected plan area of the building.
Illustration (non-Sprinkler protected)
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Gross floor area of largest floor in the building <2000m2
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.2.2(a)(iii) For buildings
under purpose group II that
exceed the habitable height of
10m, fire engine access road
shall be provided close to every
block and that the dry riser
breeching inlets are located
close to the road. The access
road shall have a minimum 4m
width and designed to sustain
the load of stationary 30 tonnes
fire engine fighting appliance,
and shall be provided within
18m of dry riser breeching inlets
of the building. The breeching
inlets shall be located on the
external wall above ground level
nearest to the vertical run of the
riser stack. The maximum
horizontal run of the water pipe
between the breeching inlets
and the same riser stack shall
not exceed 12m.
Cl.4.2.2(a)(iii) For buildings under
purpose group II that exceed the
habitable height of 10m, fire engine
access road shall be provided close to
every block and that the dry riser breeching
inlets are located close to the road. fire
engine access road shall be provided
within a travel distance of 18m to
entrance of all exit staircases that are
provided with landing valve (dry or
wet riser) in accordance with
Cl.6.2.2(b). The measurement of
18m shall be between the fire engine
access road and the entrance of exit
staircase. The fire engine access
road shall have a minimum 4m width
and designed to sustain the load of
stationary 30 tonnes fire engine
fighting appliance, and shall be
provided within 18m of dry riser
breeching inlets of the building. The
breeching inlets shall be located on
at the external wall exterior, above
ground level readily visible and
accessible from the fire engine
access road. nearest to the vertical run of
the riser stack. The maximum horizontal
run of the water pipe between the
breeching inlets and the same riser stack
shall not exceed 12m.
The reason to specify the final
discharge of exit staircase is because
the rising main is normally located at
the fire-fighting lobby, smoke-stop lobby
adjacent to exit staircase. During a fire
emergency, fire fighter will need to get
to the fire lift, if any or via protected
staircase to reach the fire floor for fire -
fighting & rescue operation.
Hence, to use exit staircase, final
discharge as point of reference is valid.
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Pump Ladder (Fire Engine)
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
NIL Cl.4.2.2(a)(v) In the case of
basement, the fire engine
access road shall be provided
within a travel distance of 18m
to entrance of all exit staircases
that are provided with landing
valve (dry or wet riser) in
accordance with Cl.6.2.2(b). The
measurement of 18m shall be
between the fire engine access
road and the entrance of exit
staircase.
To separately address single or
multi-level
basement.
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Combined Platform Ladder
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.2.2(b)(i)
For buildings under purpose
groups III, IV, V and VII
exceeding the habitable
height of 10m, accessway
shall be located directly
below the access openings
to provide direct outreach to
the access openings.
Accessway shall be
provided based on the gross
floor area (including toilets,
stores, circulation areas,
etc.) of the largest floor
(including 1st storey) in the
building as follows:
Cl.4.2.2(b)(i)
For buildings under purpose
groups III, IV, V and VII
exceeding the habitable height
of 10m, accessway shall be
located directly below the
access openings to provide
direct outreach to the access
openings.
Accessway shall be provided
based on the largest gross floor
area of the following:
(1) any floor including 1st storey,
(2) if there are more than one
floor interconnected, the
aggregate areas of all the
floor interconnected.
For the purpose of determining
accessway perimeter in a building
where floors could be
interconnected, it should be based
on aggregate floor area instead of
the single largest floor area.
Clause 4.2.2 ACCESSWAY FOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES
Combined Platform Ladder
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.2.3 (a) Definition
Openings on the external
wall for external fire fighting
and rescue operation.
Access openings shall
include unobstructed
external wall openings,
windows, balcony doors,
glazed wall panels or access
panels. Windows, doors,
wall panels or access panels
must be readily openable
from the inside and outside,
unless fitted with breakable
glazing. Inside and outside
of access openings shall be
unobstructed at all times
during the occupancy of the
building.
Cl.4.2.3 (a) Definition
Openings on the external wall
for external fire fighting and
rescue operation. Access
openings shall include
unobstructed external wall
openings, windows, balcony
doors, glazed wall panels or
access panels. Windows, doors,
wall panels or access panels
must be readily openable from
the inside and outside, unless
fitted with breakable glazing.
Inside and outside of access
openings shall be unobstructed
at all times during the
occupancy of the building.
The reason for disallowing fitted
glazing is because it may be
laminated glazing. An exercise on
the breaking of laminated glass
was conducted in 2012, it was
found to be time consuming and
tedious.
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.2.3(e)
Access openings shall be
not less than 850mm wide
by 1000mm high with sill
height of not more than
1100mm and head height
not less than 1800mm
above the inside floor level.
Cl.4.2.3(e)
Access openings shall be not
less than 850mm wide by
1000mm high with sill height of
not more than 1100mm and
head height not less than
1800mm above the inside floor
level.
The access opening shall not be
placed at plant/store room,
staircase, smoke-stop lobby or
“dead space”. It shall be placed
against an occupied space.
To explicitly state that FAP shall be
positioned within an occupied
space. It should exclude essential
spaces that are protected and
within reach via internal access.
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Sill height max. 1100mm
Head height min. 1800mm
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.4.1(a)(ii) Existing
public hydrants along one
side of a public road shall
not be designated to serve
developments that are sited
across the other side of the
public road, except for a
one-way single lane road.
Cl.4.4.1(a)(ii) Existing public
hydrants along one side of a
public road shall not be
designated to serve
developments that are sited
across the other side of the
public road, except for a one-
way or two-way lanes road.
Current relaxation is only extended
to single lane road.
Operations inputs were sought.
During a fire turnout, it is common
to have fire-fighting appliances
occupying more than one lane
width of road.
To further extend to allow public
hydrant that could be sited across a
two-way lanes road.
Clause 4.4.1 REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Illustration
Clause 4.4.1 REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Nil Cl.4.4.1(d) For a building that is
required to have island site
accessway under Cl.4.2.2(b),
the hydrant pipe shall be a
ringed system. Isolation valves
shall be provided on the hydrant
ring such that any section of
ring, with a maximum of one fire
hydrant, can be isolated when
required for maintenance
without affecting the water
supply (both designed pressure
and flow) to the other fire
hydrants. Locking device shall
be provided to lock the valves in
open position during normal
operation.
The ring system main for private
hydrant would provide adequate
and stable supply of water during
time of emergency
Clause 4.4.1 REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.4.2(a)
Private fire hydrants
installed at reduced level
125m and below can
receive direct supply from
public water mains provided
:
(i) …
(ii) …
Note:
(i) ….
(ii) ….
Cl.4.4.2(a)
Private fire hydrants installed at
reduced level 125 m and below
can receive direct supply from
public water main provided.
Private fire hydrants installed at
reduced level 125m and below
can receive direct supply from
public water main. If the flow
and pressure from the public
water mains cannot meet the
hydrant requirements, a storage
tank of sufficient capacity with
the requisite pumping facilities
shall be provided. Private fire
hydrants receiving direct supply
from public water mains shall
comply with:
(i) …
(ii) …
Note:
(i) ….
(ii) ….
To tally with SS 575 ( previously CP
29)
Note: Not withstanding this, storage
cistern of sufficient capacity with
pumping facilities may be required
to meet SCDF’s requirements on
flow rates and pressure.
The additional statement was
requested by PUB and intended as
a safeguard. Should the private
fire hydrant that is receiving direct
supply from Public water mains
fails to comply with flow rates and
pressure requirements, then the
private hydrant should be provided
with its own storage and pumping
facilities.
Clause 4.4.2 WATER SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.4.4.2(b)(i) Where there is
only one private hydrant in the
plot that is located above
reduced level 125m; and
Cl.4.4.2(b)(ii) this hydrant is not
the sole hydrant within 50m
from any breeching inlet(s)
feeding into fixed water based
fire fighting system(s) including
automatic sprinkler systems, dry
riser systems, and wet riser
systems for the building(s)
standing on this plot of land;
this hydrant can be in the form
of a "dry" hydrant. A "dry"
hydrant shall be connected to a
150mm diameter dry pipe,
which shall be connected at the
other end to a four-way
breeching inlet. This breeching
inlet shall be within 18m from
any accessway or fire engine
access road having minimum
4m width and within 50m from
any wet hydrant, private or
public.
Cl.4.4.2(b)(i) Where there is only
one private hydrant in the plot that is
located above reduced level 125m;
and
Cl.4.4.2(b)(ii) this hydrant is not the
sole hydrant within 50m from any
breeching inlet(s) feeding into fixed
water based fire fighting system(s)
including automatic sprinkler
systems, dry riser systems, and wet
riser systems for the building(s)
standing on this plot of land; this
hydrant can be in the form of a "dry"
hydrant. A "dry" hydrant shall be
connected to a 150mm diameter dry
pipe, which shall be connected at
the other end to a four-way
breeching inlet. This breeching inlet
shall be within 18m from any
accessway or fire engine access
road having minimum 4m width and
within 50m from any wet hydrant,
private or public. The private dry
pillar shall be painted in “yellow” and
labelled “dry” on the hydrant pillar. A
signage indicating the location of
breeching inlet shall be positioned
next to the dry private hydrant.
The colour preference for private
wet hydrant is covered under SS
575. To distinguish internal private
hydrant from private dry hydrant.
Clause 4.4.2 WATER SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANT
Dry Private Hydrant
Update to Chapter 8 - Other Systems
8.2 Voice Communication System
and Fire Command Centre
Chapter 8 Updates
Changes to:
Clause 8.2.1 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Cl.8.2.1(a)(i)
Cl.8.2.1(a)(iii)
Clause 8.2.3 FIRE COMMAND CENTRE
Cl.8.2.3(c)
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.8.2.1(a) One way
emergency communication
system and a fire command
centre shall be provided as
follows:
Cl.8.2.1(a)(i) For all large
buildings under purpose
groups III (not applicable to
primary school, secondary
school and junior colleges),
IV, V & VII (gross floor area
greater than 5000sq m or
having a total occupant load
exceeding 1000 persons and
large industrial buildings
under purpose groups VI &
VIII (gross floor area greater
than 5000 sq m).
Cl.8.2.1(a)(ii) For all buildings
belonging to purpose groups
III, IV, V, VI. VII, and VIII of
more than 24m in habitable
height.
Cl.8.2.1(a) One-way
emergency voice
communication system and a
fire command centre shall be
provided as follows:
Cl.8.2.1(a)(i) For all large
buildings under purpose
groups III (not applicable to
primary school, secondary
school and junior colleges), IV,
V & VII, VI, VII & VIII with
gross floor area greater than
5000sq m or having a total
occupant load exceeding 1000
persons and large industrial
buildings under purpose
groups VI & VIII (gross floor
area greater than 5000 sq m);
or
Cl.8.2.1(a)(ii) For all buildings
belonging to purpose groups
III, IV, V, VI. VII, and VIII of
more than 24m in habitable
height.
General qualifying criteria for
Purpose Group IV, V, VI, VII & VIII.
So long as gross floor area exceed
5000sqm or having a total
occupant load exceeding 1000
persons, one-way emergency
communication system and a fire
command centre shall be provided.
Clause 8.2.1 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.8.2.1(a)(iii)
For hotel or health care
occupancies of less than
24m in habitable height.
Loudspeakers for the public
address system shall be
provided in every lift lobby,
staircase enclosure and
other strategic positions
within audible distance of all
parts of all storeys of the
building.
Cl.8.2.1(a)(iii) Exception
For hotel or health care
occupancies buildings of less
than 24m in habitable height,
gross floor area not greater than
5,000sqm and total occupant
load not exceeding 1,000
persons, an ordinary public
address system shall be
provided.
However, Fire Command Centre
is not required.
Loudspeakers for the ordinary
public address system shall be
provided in every lift lobby,
staircase enclosure and other
strategic positions within audible
distance of all parts of all
storeys throughout the building.
upfront stipulate that FCC is not
needed.
add “ordinary” before public
address system to avoid
confusion.
Clause 8.2.1 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.8.2.3(c) Location
A Fire Command Centre
shall be located adjacent to
the fire lift lobby at the
designated storey of the
building (i.e. the
lobby of the building on the
first storey or immediately
adjacent thereto) or at any
other location as may be
designated by the Relevant
Authority.
Cl.8.2.3(c) Location
A Fire Command Centre
shall be located adjacent to
the fire lift lobby at the
designated storey of the
building (i.e. the lobby of the
building on the first storey or
immediately adjacent
thereto) or at any other
location as may be
designated by the Relevant
Authority.
Cl.8.2.3(c)(i) The Fire
Command Centre shall be
located at the same level as
the fire engine accessway or
access road and in the
following order of priority:
Cl.8.2.3(c)(i)(1) immediately
adjacent to the fire-fighting
lobby at the designated
storey of the building;
The revision is intended to make the
clause explicit.
First by stating that FCC is to be
located at the same level as the fire
engine accessway and subsequent the
order of priority.
In this revision, there is requirement to
address development having many
standalone buildings. Essentially, the
designer shall designate individual
FCC to the different building. In
another words, more than one FCC
shall be provided.
For such case the relevant authority
shall be consulted.
Clause 8.2.3 FIRE COMMAND CENTRE
Fire Code 2007 Fire Code 2013 Rationale
Cl.8.2.3(c)(i)(2) in the case
where there is no fire-
fighting lobby, it shall be
located within vicinity of the
fire engine accessway or
access road and adjacent to
one of the protected stairs
serving all storeys of the
development.
Cl.8.2.3(c)(i)(3) at any other
location as may be
designated by the Relevant
Authority.
Cl.8.2.3(c)(ii) in the case of
a site consisting of more
than one building, there
shall be more than one Fire
Command Centre. For such
cases, the Relevant
Authority shall be consulted.
Clause 8.2.3 FIRE COMMAND CENTRE
Illustration
Clause 8.2.3 FIRE COMMAND CENTRE
Conclusion
Greater awareness and better understanding of Technical Requirements are keys
to ensuring compliance in design and construction.
To seek consultation with SCDF when in doubt.
Get It Right to avoid abortive design and construction.
THANK YOU
Explanation
Clause 8.2.1 VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Illustration
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Illustration
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Diagram 4.2.3(e)-1In Fig. (iii), although the height of access opening complies with the Clause (1000mm), the head height is less than 1800mm.
Illustration
1800mm1000mm
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING
Illustration
Clause 4.2.3 ACCESS OPENING TO BUILDING FOR FIRE FIGHTING