Fire Safety (Building and Pipeline Fire Safety) Regulations

Fire Safety Act

(CHAPTER 109A, Section 61(1))

Fire Safety (Building and Pipeline Fire Safety) Regulations

Rg 1

G.N. No. S 165/1994

REVISED EDITION 2008

(2nd June 2008)

[8th April 1994]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Citation

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Fire Safety (Building and Pipeline Fire Safety) Regulations.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

Definitions

2.  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —

“area of refuge” means an area within a building designed for evacuees from the building or an adjoining building to take refuge in the event of a fire emergency;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

“area of special risk” means an area where there is a risk of explosion or rapid spread of fire due to the presence of flammable liquids, gases or explosive materials;

[Deleted by S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

“compartment wall” means a wall that is designed and constructed to a specific fire resistance rating to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through it;

“design guidelines” means guidelines accepted by the Commissioner as suitable for the design and evaluation of fire safety works or any part thereof, including any alternative solution;

“elements of structure” means —

(a) a member forming part of the structural frame of a building or any beam or column but not a member forming part of a roof structure only;

(b) a load bearing wall or load bearing part of a wall;

(c) a floor, including a compartment floor, other than the lowest floor (in contact with the ground) of a building;

(d) an external wall;

(e) a separating wall;

(f) a compartment wall; and

(g) a structure enclosing a protected shaft (protecting structure);

“fire certificate” means a certificate issued by the Commissioner under section 35 of the Act;

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

“Fire Command Centre” means a room within any premises which is specifically designated for the purpose of command and control of operations in the event of fire or other emergencies and fitted with the necessary equipment;

“fire damper” means a device installed in an air distribution system which is designed to close automatically to restrict the passage of fire and heat;

[Deleted by S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

“fire extinguishing system” means a system designed for extinguishing a fire;

“fire lift” means a lift which is adequately protected from fire and which is meant for the exclusive use of firemen in an emergency without interference from the landing call points;

“fire lift lobby” means a protected and ventilated lobby into which a fire lift opens and from which direct access to a protected staircase can be made for the purpose of fire fighting;

“fire resistance rating” means the minimum period of time during which an element of structure or building element may be expected to function satisfactorily while subject to a recognised standard fire test;

“fire safety engineering design brief” means a document prepared by a fire safety engineer to secure in-principle agreement with the Commissioner on the conceptual fire safety engineering design, which shall include —

(a) the fire performance requirements to be achieved;

(b) requisite fire scenarios;

(c) methodologies adopted in undertaking the fire safety designs of the building or the relevant pipeline, as the case may be; and

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(d) an outline of the trial concept design;

“fire safety engineering report” means a document prepared by a fire safety engineer containing the final design of the fire safety works, commissioning requirements, details of installation and testing, other implementation details, expected fire risks and system performance over the life cycle of the building or the relevant pipeline, as the case may be;

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

“fireman access panel” means an opening in the external wall of a building to enable firemen to gain access into the building during fire fighting operations;

“means of escape” means a continuous and unobstructed way of exit from any point in a building or structure to a safe and open area at ground level;

“occupant load” means the total number of persons that may occupy a building or part thereof at any one time;

“operations and maintenance manual” means a document prepared by a fire safety engineer containing instructions for the owner or occupier of a building or pipeline owner (as the case may be) on how to operate and maintain the fire safety measures used in the alternative solution, the limitations of such measures and the restrictions to be placed on usage of the building or relevant pipeline (as the case may be);

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“prescribed fees” means the relevant fees prescribed in Part VI;

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

“pressurisation system” means a mechanical ventilation system that introduces positive differential pressure to a space or room to prevent smoke ingress in a fire emergency;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

“smoke control system” means an engineered smoke control system, a smoke purging system, a smoke vent or a ductless jet fan system, described in Chapter 7 of the Fire Code;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

“smoke detector” means a device which is used for detecting the presence of visible or invisible products of combustion, and which would automatically initiate a signal upon detecting the presence of these products;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

“smoke-free lobby” means a lobby area located at any entrance to an exit staircase, that is designed to prevent or minimise the entry of smoke into the staircase.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

PART II

ADMINISTRATION

Application for approval of plans of fire safety works

3.  For the purposes of section 55(1) of the Act, an application for the approval of plans of any fire safety works shall be in such form as the Commissioner may provide and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fees and by the following documents:

(a) the following plans of fire safety works:

(i) building plans (where the fire safety works relate to any building) or relevant pipeline plans (where the fire safety works relate to any relevant pipeline);

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

(ii) air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation plans; and

(iii) fire protection plans;

(b) a notification signed by the applicant of the appointment of —

(i) the qualified person who prepared the plans of fire safety works; and

(ii) where the plans of fire safety works contain any alternative solution, the fire safety engineer who prepared or supervised the preparation of the plans,

and a confirmation of such appointment signed by the qualified person and, where applicable, the fire safety engineer;

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(c) the applicable declaration form set out on the website at https://www.scdf.gov.sg;

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(d) where the plans of fire safety works contain any alternative solution, the additional following documents:

(i) a fire safety engineering design brief;

(ii) a fire safety engineering report, including detailed specifications and drawings of the final design of fire safety works;

(iii) an operations and maintenance manual for the building or relevant pipeline, as the case may be, to which the fire safety works relate;

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

(iv) a notification signed by the applicant of the appointment of a peer reviewer and a confirmation of such appointment signed by the peer reviewer; and

(v) a peer reviewer’s report as to whether the alternative solution satisfies the fire performance requirements in the Fire Code;

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(e) where the plans of fire safety works involve the use of any building materials or equipment not specified in the Fire Code — a description of the nature and type of all the building materials or equipment to be used in the fire safety works;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

(f) other documentary evidence in support of any documents in paragraphs (a) to (e), and such other documents as the Commissioner may require to decide the application.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

Preparation of plans for approval

4.—(1)  All plans of fire safety works accompanying any application for approval of plans under section 55(1) of the Act shall —

(a) where the plans do not contain any alternative solution, be prepared and signed by an appropriate qualified person as determined in accordance with the Second Schedule to the Building Control Regulations 2003 (G.N. No. S 666/2003);

(b) where the plans contain any alternative solution —

(i) be prepared and signed by a qualified person who is a fire safety engineer, or be prepared by a qualified person under the supervision of a fire safety engineer and signed by both the qualified person and the fire safety engineer; and

(ii) be certified by a peer reviewer that the alternative solution therein satisfies the fire performance requirements in the Fire Code;

(c) be submitted —

(i) on standard metric size sheets of the international A series and have on every sheet an outlined rectangular space measuring 150mm x 100mm provided at its top right hand corner for official stamps and endorsement; or

(ii) in such electronic form stored in such medium as the Commissioner may determine; and

(d) be accompanied by such standard forms as the Commissioner may require.

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(2)  Where the plans of fire safety works are submitted in electronic form, the qualified person and, where applicable, the fire safety engineer shall —

(a) authenticate the plans in electronic form in such manner as the Commissioner may require; and

(b) ensure that such plans are visible or are capable of being displayed in a clear and intelligible manner on a suitably light background.

(3)  The Commissioner may require additional sets of plans or enlarged details, specifications or other information thereof or other documents relating thereto to be submitted to him.

(4)  This regulation shall not apply to the plans of fire safety works which relate to minor alterations or additions as set out in the Schedule to any building or part of a building in respect of which a temporary fire permit or a fire safety certificate is issued (whether before, on or after 14 September 2020).

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

(5)  The plans referred to in paragraph (4) shall be —

(a) certified by a qualified person appointed in respect of such fire safety works;

(b) lodged with the Commissioner;

(c) in such form as the Commissioner considers necessary; and

(d) accompanied by such other documents as the Commissioner may require.

Non-acceptance of plans

5.  The Commissioner may refuse to accept any application for approval of plans of fire safety works and may return the application or plans where —

(a) the plans are not such as are prescribed by these Regulations;

(b) he has not received an application in the appropriate form or any such application does not contain the particulars required therein; or

(c) such fees as prescribed by these Regulations have not been paid.

Scale of plans

6.—(1)  All plans of fire safety works submitted under section 55(1) of the Act shall be drawn to the following scales:

(a) Site plan — 1:500;

(b) Key or location plan — 1:1,000; and

(c) Plan of a building or relevant pipeline to which the fire safety works relate — 1:100 except where the size of the building or relevant pipeline is too large for the plan to be drawn on the required standard size paper, the Commissioner may allow the plan to be prepared to a scale not smaller than 1:200.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

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(2)  The scales and grid references shall be indicated on all plans, sections and other drawings.

Particulars to be shown on plans

7.—(1)  Where the fire safety works relate to any building, the building plans submitted under section 55(1) of the Act shall consist of a location plan, a site plan, a floor plan of each storey, a roof plan of the building and sectional and elevational drawings of the building and shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Building Control Act 1989, the Building Control Regulations 2003 (G.N. No. S 666/2003) and these Regulations.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(2)  In addition to the requirements prescribed under the Building Control Act 1989 and the Building Control Regulations 2003, the appropriate plans shall contain or clearly identify and show in distinct colours the following:

(a) on the location plan —

(i) the coloured location of the lot relative to neighbouring lots; and

(ii) the various roads constituting the access layout to the lot;

(b) on the site plan —

(i) the means of access to the site and to the perimeter of each building for fire fighting vehicles and equipment;

(ii) distances between each building or fire safety works and the relevant lot boundaries, other proposed or existing buildings or installations on the site;

(iii) the location of existing and proposed internal fire-hydrants on the site; and

(iv) any other feature on or in the vicinity of the site which is likely to be a fire hazard or is likely to cause obstruction to fire fighting vehicles and equipment and rescue operations;

(c) on every floor plan and roof plan —

(i) clear statements indicating the proposed or existing use of every part;

(ii) details of all openings and voids penetrating floors including their usage, dimensions and the nature and arrangement of enclosing walls and barricades;

(iii) clear statements indicating the design occupant load for that storey or roof for which means of escape in case of fire have been provided in accordance with the Fire Code;

(iv) the fire resistance ratings of all elements of structure, fire doors, shutters, dampers and such other fire safety measures;

(v) details of all means of escape to the external at ground level from every part of the floor such as exit doors, corridors, passageways, aisles, gangways, balconies, lobbies, ramps, exit passageways, escape and fire fighting staircases and areas of refuge;

(vi) locations of all existing and proposed fire lifts, fire lift lobbies, the Fire Command Centre, water tank rooms and generator rooms;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

(vii) locations of all areas designated for the storage of flammable liquids or gases, boiler rooms, transformer rooms and any other area of special risk;

(viii) the types and extent of provision of fire detection and alarm systems and voice communications systems;

(ix) the types, extent of provision and locations of existing or proposed regulated fire safety products;

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

(x) the type and extent of provision of sprinklers systems, wet and dry rising mains and other fire extinguishing systems; and

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(xi) the type and extent of provision of smoke control and ventilation systems and their related air or smoke shafts;

(d) cross-sectional views which are necessary to fully describe all details and configurations of the proposed building or part thereof and of the proposed fire safety works and shall include the following:

(i) the full height of each storey and the depth of ceiling space;

(ii) details of all openings and voids penetrating floors including their dimensions, usage and height of enclosing walls and barricades;

(iii) details of the junction between the roof and any compartment walls;

(iv) the dimensions of treads and rises of staircases;

(v) the dimensions of openings in external walls;

(vi) the clear height of all structures or projections directly above the access for fire fighting vehicles and equipment;

(vii) the clear distance of the external wall from the fire fighting vehicles and equipment access, lot boundary, adjacent buildings and other structures;

(viii) the types of materials used in and the thickness of all walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, beams and other related parts of the building; and

(ix) enlarged details of curtain walling at the junction with the typical floor slab to show the provision of fire stopping or fire cavity barriers;

(e) elevational details including —

(i) the provisions of fireman access panels on the external walls and claddings; and

(ii) the clear distance of the external wall from the fire fighting vehicles and equipment access, lot boundary, adjacent buildings and other structures; and

(f) such other details, particulars or information relating to the building or fire safety works as the Commissioner may require.

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(3)  Where the fire safety works relate to any relevant pipeline, the relevant pipeline plans submitted under section 55(1) of the Act shall, in addition to complying with paragraphs (1) and (2) (with the necessary modifications) —

(a) include a fully-dimensioned site plan, with layout plans, elevations and sectional views, including (where the relevant pipeline or any existing relevant pipeline within the same pipetrack or piperack is an underground pipeline) the underground plans, elevations and sectional views of such underground pipelines; and

(b) contain the following details in respect of the relevant pipeline and all other existing relevant pipelines located within the same pipetrack or piperack as the relevant pipeline:

(i) details of the relevant pipeline, including the capacity, thickness, material type, size, joints and connections, labelling and colour code;

(ii) types and quantity of petroleum and flammable materials to be conveyed between each consecutive pair of emergency isolation valves on the relevant pipeline, and the respective flow rate, pressure, temperature and Safety Data Sheet relating to each type of petroleum or flammable material conveyed;

(iii) location and details of the emergency isolation valves and procedures to handle surge pressures;

(iv) location and details of leakage monitoring, detection and control systems (such as systems to shut-off relevant pumps and isolation valves automatically) and over-pressure protection system (such as automatic depressurisation and venting systems); and

(v) location and details of fire protection systems and measures (such as fire hydrant and fire water monitors), other safety systems and measures (such as secondary containment for the entire pipeline or pipeline corridor) and ancillary safety equipment.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

Particulars to be shown on plans for air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation and fire protection works

8.—(1)  Plans to be submitted for air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation and fire protection works shall include the following:

(a) key features of the building in which the system is to be installed, including the particulars listed in regulations 6 and 7;

(b) a schematic diagram of the overall system showing clearly the key features and their functions, relative locations in the building, lots, sizes, capacities and other essential information including the air distribution design arrangement in the case of air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems;

(c) the layout of the system on every floor plan showing clearly the various parts and their functions, locations, arrangements, sizes, capacities and other essential information;

(d) necessary cross-sectional views as superimposed on the building or part thereof to fully describe the details and configurations of the system;

(e) a colour scheme to clearly distinguish the various distinct parts of the system and the different systems from one another;

(f) for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems such additional details as —

(i) the volumetric rate of flow of air at each point of inlet and outlet of each system including those serving protected staircases, exit passageways, lobbies, areas of refuge, the Fire Command Centre, fire pump rooms, generator rooms, rooms used for the storage of flammable liquids or gas or other areas of special risk;

(ii) the location of fire compartment walls, floors and air shafts;

(iii) the location of fire dampers;

(iv) the location of smoke detectors; and

(v) the location and function of other fire precautionary features.

(2)  Where required by the Commissioner, such plans submitted shall be accompanied by —

(a) a report identifying and describing each system installed in the building and its design, features and operational arrangements; and

(b) design calculations.

Additional requirements

9.  In addition to the plans and specifications required by regulations 7 and 8, the Commissioner may require the applicant to produce computations, test reports and such other information as may be necessary to determine compliance with these Regulations.

Approval, disapproval and rejection of plans

10.—(1)  Where the Commissioner approves any plans of fire safety works under section 55(3)(a) of the Act, he shall in writing notify the applicant and the qualified person who prepared the plans of his approval and of any terms and conditions on which such approval has been granted.

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(2)  Where any plans of fire safety works are —

(a) disapproved under section 55(3)(b) of the Act;

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(b) rejected under section 55(4) of the Act; or

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(c) approved under section 55(5) of the Act,

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the Commissioner shall in writing notify the applicant and the qualified person who prepared those plans.

Return of plans

11.—(1)  Where any plans of fire safety works have been approved or disapproved, the Commissioner may retain one set and return the remaining sets of the plans to the applicant.

(2)  Where any plans of fire safety works are rejected under section 55(4) of the Act or where they are withdrawn by the applicant before or after the approval, the Commissioner may return the plans to the applicant.

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(3)  Where any plans of fire safety works are to be returned pursuant to this regulation, the Commissioner shall in writing notify the applicant to collect the plans within 14 days from the date of the notification from such place as the Commissioner may specify.

(4)  Where any plans of fire safety works to be returned by the Commissioner are not collected within the period referred to in paragraph (3), the Commissioner may dispose of the plans in any manner as he thinks fit.

PART III

DUTIES OF QUALIFIED PERSONS, FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERS AND PERSONS FOR WHOM WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

Duty to prepare plans

12.—(1)  For the purposes of section 55(2) of the Act, every appointed qualified person and, where applicable, every appointed fire safety engineer shall —

(a) give or show correctly and clearly all particulars and information that are required to be given or shown on a plan which is signed by him and is submitted under the Act and shall not misrepresent or exclude those particulars or information on or from the plan, as the case may be; and

(b) ensure that all plans or specifications are in conformity with the provisions of the Act, these Regulations and the Fire Code.

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(2)  Where the plans of fire safety works contain any alternative solution, the appointed fire safety engineer shall, in addition —

(a) conform to design guidelines and codes of practice approved by the Commissioner in designing the alternative solution or any part thereof, subject to any deviation or modification approved by the Commissioner;

(b) make available to the Commissioner such documents, fire safety engineering software models or tools, and information used in the fire safety engineering software models as the Commissioner may require; and

(c) assist the peer reviewer to obtain such reports and other documents from relevant bodies or testing laboratories as the peer reviewer may require to assess the alternative solution.

Duty to supervise works

13.  For the purposes of section 57(5) of the Act, every appointed qualified person and, where applicable, every appointed fire safety engineer shall —

(a) [Deleted by S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

(b) on completion of the works, submit a copy of his certificate of supervision in a standard form to the Commissioner; and

(c) keep a proper record of all reports, requests and correspondence relating to the design or implementation of fire safety works, and furnish the Commissioner with a copy of such document as the Commissioner may, from time to time, require.

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

Change of qualified person or fire safety engineer

14.—(1)  Where there is a change of a qualified person or fire safety engineer employed or engaged to prepare any plan for fire safety works or to supervise the same and such change is made after the plan has been submitted under the Act, the qualified person or fire safety engineer whose services are being terminated shall notify the Commissioner in writing of the termination of his services within 14 days of such termination.

(2)  With effect from the date of the termination, no work concerning fire safety works shall be carried out, commenced or resumed unless another qualified person or fire safety engineer has notified the Commissioner in writing of his appointment as the qualified person or fire safety engineer to supervise the works under regulation 13.

Offences by qualified person or fire safety engineer

15.  Every qualified person and, where applicable, every fire safety engineer who submitted any plan or specification under the Act or who is required to supervise any works concerning fire safety under these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence if he, without reasonable cause —

(a) misrepresents any relevant particulars or information required to be shown or given on such plan or specifications under the Act or these Regulations or excludes therefrom such particulars or information if such plan or specifications has or have been accepted or approved by, or submitted to the Commissioner under the Act or these Regulations;

(b) submits an incorrect certificate of supervision to the Commissioner under regulation 13(b); or

(c) contravenes any of the provisions of regulation 12, 13 or 14.

Duties of owner or occupier prior to commencement of fire safety works

16.—(1)  Before the commencement, carrying out or resumption of any fire safety works, the persons referred to in paragraph (2) shall —

(a) ascertain that all the plans of the fire safety works which are required by or under the Act to be submitted to the Commissioner have been approved by the Commissioner and that such approval has not been withdrawn and is still valid; and

(b) ensure that such works are to be supervised at all times by a qualified person and, where the works use any alternative solution, a fire safety engineer.

(2)  The following persons shall comply with paragraph (1):

(a) in the case of fire safety works which relate to a relevant pipeline, the pipeline owner of the section of the relevant pipeline; and

(b) in the case of other fire safety works, the owner or occupier of the premises in which such works are to be commenced, carried out or resumed.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

PART IV

OCCUPATION OF BUILDINGS AND USE OF RELEVANT PIPELINES

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

Application for fire safety certificate

17.—(1)  On completion of any fire safety works, the person for whom the fire safety works were carried out shall, except for any fire safety works referred to in regulation 4(4), apply to the Commissioner for —

(a) a fire safety certificate; or

(b) a temporary fire permit.

(2)  An application for a fire safety certificate or a temporary fire permit shall be in such form as the Commissioner may provide and shall be accompanied by —

(a) a certificate by the qualified person and, where applicable, the fire safety engineer who supervised the fire safety works in accordance with the approved plans for fire safety works stating that all the requirements under the Act and these Regulations have been complied with;

(b) a certificate by a registered inspector prepared under regulation 11(1) of the Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) Regulations (Rg 2); and

(c) other documentary evidence in support of the application and such other documents as the Commissioner may require to decide the application.

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(3)  Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any application submitted by the Housing and Development Board, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore and such other public authority whose qualified persons have been authorised by the Commissioner to perform the functions and duties of the Commissioner under section 3(3) of the Act.

(4)  The Commissioner may grant a fire safety certificate in respect of a building or relevant pipeline or part thereof in respect of which fire safety works have been carried out where —

(a) the fire safety works have been completed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these Regulations;

(b) the certificate of supervision referred to in regulation 13(b) has been submitted by the qualified person and, where applicable, the fire safety engineer to the Commissioner;

(c) all the written directions given by the Commissioner to the applicant under section 55(3) of the Act and to the appropriate qualified persons or fire safety engineer who supervised the carrying out of the fire safety works or part thereof under section 57(5) of the Act have been complied with;

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(d) all the requirements either shown, implied or endorsed on the approved plans have been complied with; and

(e) such other certificate or document as may be required by the Commissioner has been submitted.

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Temporary fire permit

18.—(1)  A fire safety certificate shall not be granted in respect of any building or relevant pipeline where —

(a) there are minor requirements still to be complied with under the Act or these Regulations;

(b) any of the written directions or requirements shown or endorsed on the plans have not been fully complied with;

(c) there are minor deviations or departures from any approved plan of fire safety works; or

(d) the fire safety works have not been fully completed.

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(2)  Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commissioner may, if he is satisfied that the non-compliance, deviation or non-completion of fire safety works is neither of a serious nature nor in any way detrimental to the well being and safety of the persons who may occupy the building or part thereof or who may be in the vicinity of the relevant pipeline, as the case may be, grant a temporary fire permit for the occupation or use of the building or the use of the relevant pipeline, as the case may be.

[S 545/2013 wef 01/09/2013]

(3)  A temporary fire permit may be granted where —

(a) the certificate of supervision referred to in regulation 13(b) has been submitted by the qualified person and, where applicable, the fire safety engineer to the Commissioner; and

(b) any other certificate or document as may be required by the Commissioner have been submitted.

Application for temporary fire permit for part of building

19.  If an application for a temporary fire permit relates to a part of a building, the qualified person shall separate or cause to be separated those areas under construction from the areas to which the application relates by means of proper hoardings acceptable to the Commissioner.

Inspection and provision of facilities for tests

20.  The person for whom fire safety works were carried out shall open or cause to be opened the premises for inspection by the Commissioner and shall make available, at the request of the Commissioner and at the expense of that person, equipment, machines or other devices necessary to facilitate the inspection or tests to be carried out by the Commissioner for the purpose of issuing a fire safety certificate or temporary fire permit.

Application for change of use

21.—(1)  No person shall carry out any change of use of any premises unless an application for approval is made to the Commissioner under section 61 of the Act and such approval is obtained.

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(2)  An application for approval referred to in paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by plans of fire safety works prepared for the purpose of the application.

(3)  Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an application for approval of temporary change of use for the purpose of stage shows, promotional activities, exhibitions, trade fairs or carnivals.

(4)  An application for approval of such temporary change of use as referred to in paragraph (3) shall be made in such form as the Commissioner may determine and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fees and the following documents:

(a) site plan;

(b) floor plan showing or containing the proposed or existing use of every part;

(c) layout plan showing or containing —

(i) the purpose of the intended usage;

(ii) clear statements indicating the details of the proposed activities; and

(iii) the design and material of any temporary structure to be erected for the activities; and

(d) such other information as the Commissioner may require.

Fire safety works to comply with these Regulations, Fire Code, etc.

22.  All fire safety works shall be designed, installed, tested, inspected, operated and maintained in accordance with these Regulations, the Fire Code and any instructions that have been issued by the Commissioner under these Regulations.

Use of plastic materials

23.  Plastic materials used for coverings and insulation purposes shall conform to the type and standards acceptable to the Commissioner and shall be of a type which shall not if burnt emit toxic gases beyond such values as may be prescribed by the Commissioner.

Tests of materials and equipment

24.  The Commissioner may direct that materials, construction or structural assemblies, installations, equipment and components be tested at the expense of the owner, if it is necessary in his opinion to determine whether the materials, construction or structural assemblies, installations, equipment and components meet the requirements of the Act and the regulations made thereunder.

PART V

FIRE CERTIFICATE

Application for fire certificate

25.—(1)  An application for the issue or renewal of the fire certificate under section 35 of the Act shall be made to the Commissioner in such form as may be provided by the Commissioner and shall be accompanied by —

(a) the prescribed fees;

(b) such certifications as the Commissioner may require from the relevant qualified persons that they have examined the building or part thereof and that the fire safety works in the building are in good working condition and in conformity with the Act and the regulations made thereunder; and

(c) such other information that the Commissioner may require.

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(1A)  An application for the issue of a fire certificate under paragraph (1) must be made —

(a) where a certificate of statutory completion or a temporary occupation permit is issued in respect of the building before the building is designated to be subject to section 35 of the Act — within 12 months after the building is so designated; or

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(b) where a certificate of statutory completion or a temporary occupation permit is issued in respect of the building after the building is designated to be subject to section 35 of the Act — within 12 months after the date on which the certificate of statutory completion or temporary occupation permit is issued, whichever is earlier.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(2)  An application for the renewal of a fire certificate under paragraph (1) shall be made at least 2 months before the expiry of the fire certificate.

(3)  Where an application for the issue or renewal of a fire certificate is made under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew the fire certificate or may issue or renew the fire certificate on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit.

(4)  For the purpose of paragraph (1A), the date that a building is designated to be subject to section 35 of the Act is —

(a) where the building was designated under the revoked Fire Safety (Fire Certificate) (Designated Buildings) Order 2016 (G.N. No. S 97/2016) and is designated under the Fire Safety (Fire Certificate — Designated Buildings) Notification 2020 (G.N. No. S 766/2020) — the date that the building was designated under the revoked Fire Safety (Fire Certificate) (Designated Buildings) Order 2016; and

(b) where the building is only designated under the Fire Safety (Fire Certificate — Designated Buildings) Notification 2020 — the date that the building is so designated.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

(5)  In this regulation, “certificate of statutory completion” and “temporary occupation permit” have the meanings given by section 2(1) of the Building Control Act 1989.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

[S 387/2022 wef 31/12/2021]

Validity of fire certificate

26.  A fire certificate shall be valid for such period not exceeding 3 years as may be specified in the fire certificate and may be renewed.

[S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]

Revocation of fire certificate

27.  The Commissioner may revoke any fire certificate where there is —

(a) a breach of any of the terms and conditions of the certificate;

(b) any misrepresentation of a material fact in the application for the fire certificate or accompanying plans or documents upon the basis of which the certificate was issued or renewed; or

(c) knowledge that the fire hazards within the building or part thereof, for which the fire certificate was issued or renewed, have increased without adequate fire safety measures being taken to the satisfaction of the Commissioner.

False or inaccurate certificate

28.  A qualified person who submits to the Commissioner any certification referred to in regulation 25(1)(b) which —

(a) is false; or

(b) without reasonable cause, contains any misrepresentation of a material fact,

shall be guilty of an offence.

29.  [Deleted by S 769/2020 wef 14/09/2020]