Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations

Source: Singapore Statutes Online | Archived by Legal Wires


Fire Safety Act
(Chapter 109A, Section 61(1)(zab))
Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations
Rg 8
G.N. No. S 594/2002

REVISED EDITION 2008
(2nd June 2008)
[1st December 2002]
Citation
1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations.
Registered inspectors to observe Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
2.  Every registered inspector shall observe and be guided by the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics set out in the Schedule.
THE SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
1.  In this Schedule, unless the context states otherwise, “publicity” means any form of advertisement and includes any advertisement —
(a)printed in any medium for the communication of information; or
(b)appearing in, communicated through or retrievable from, any mass medium, electronic or otherwise.
2.  A registered inspector shall, in respect of any project for which he is appointed as the registered inspector —
(a)exercise due diligence to ensure that there is no contravention of any provision of the Act or any regulations made thereunder relating to fire safety requirements by any person carrying out fire safety works in such project; and
(b)report to the Commissioner any contravention referred to in sub-paragraph (a) which comes to his knowledge.
3.  A registered inspector shall not, for the purpose of obtaining any temporary fire permit or fire safety certificate for any project, sign any document unless he is the registered inspector appointed for that project and has personally checked the buildings, plans and documents relating to the project.
4.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, a registered inspector may publicise his practice.
(2)  A registered inspector shall not publicise his practice in a manner which —
(a)is likely to diminish public confidence in the profession or to otherwise bring the profession into disrepute;
(b)may reasonably be regarded as being misleading, deceptive, inaccurate, false or unbefitting of the dignity of the profession; or
(c)is determined by the Commissioner to be an undesirable manner of publicising the practice of a registered inspector.
(3)  For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2), publicity shall be considered to be misleading, deceptive, inaccurate or false if it —
(a)contains a material misrepresentation;
(b)omits to state a material fact;
(c)contains any information which cannot be verified; or
(d)is likely to create an unjustified expectation about the results that can be achieved by the registered inspector.
(4)  In publicising his practice, a registered inspector shall ensure that —
(a)any claim to expertise or specialisation can be justified;
(b)the publicity does not make any direct or indirect mention of any project in which or client for whom —
(i)the registered inspector is acting or has acted; or
(ii)any person assisting or who has assisted the registered inspector in his work is acting or has acted,
where the provision of such information will involve a breach of confidentiality owed to the client; and
(c)the publicity does not make any comparison or criticism in relation to the quality of the services provided by any other registered inspector.
(5)  For the purpose of sub-paragraph (4)(a), the following factors shall be taken into account in justifying any claim to expertise or specialisation:
(a)academic qualifications of the registered inspector and any person assisting the registered inspector in his work;
(b)experience in supplying inspection services of a similar nature;
(c)resources and capacity to render the inspection services which the registered inspector claims to have expertise or specialisation in; and
(d)such other matters as the Commissioner may determine to be relevant.
(6)  It shall be the responsibility of every registered inspector to ensure that any publicity relating to his practice complies with this paragraph, whether such publicity is conducted by him or by any other person on his behalf.
(7)  Where a registered inspector becomes aware of any impropriety in any publicity relating to his practice, it shall be his responsibility to use his best endeavours to procure the rectification or withdrawal of the publicity, and to prevent its recurrence.
(8)  The responsibility of a registered inspector under this paragraph shall not be capable of being delegated and the registered inspector shall remain personally responsible for any contravention of this paragraph notwithstanding the fact that he may have delegated such responsibilities to another person.
5.—(1)  A registered inspector may —
(a)contribute in any journal, book or other publication on any matter relating to fire safety; and
(b)receive remuneration for any contribution —
(i)referred to in sub-paragraph (a); or
(ii)in any seminar or conference by way of written papers or participation other than as a member of the audience.
(2)  Any information released or statement made by a registered inspector shall be accurate, truthful, dignified and shall not be misleading, exaggerated or ostentatious or calculated to solicit business.
6.—(1)  A registered inspector shall not accept any work which involves the giving of discounts or commissions in recognition of, or as an inducement to, the introduction of clients.
(2)  A registered inspector shall not tout for business or do anything which is likely to lead to the reasonable inference that it is done for the purpose of touting.
(3)  A registered inspector shall not solicit or receive a commission for the introduction of engagement of registered inspector services.
7.—(1)  A registered inspector shall at all times, with due regard to the interest of his client, act honourably towards his professional colleagues.
(2)  A registered inspector shall not supplant or attempt to supplant another registered inspector.
(3)  A registered inspector shall not compete with another registered inspector who has already been appointed for a project by means of a reduction of fees or by any inducement.
(4)  A registered inspector shall not render his services for a project for which he knows, or can ascertain by reasonable inquiry, that another registered inspector is or has been engaged, until the services of the other registered inspector have been terminated by the client.
8.—(1)  A registered inspector shall not act as the registered inspector for any project in which he, or the firm or company of which he is a member, has any professional, financial or other interest which may conflict with his duties as a registered inspector.
(2)  Without prejudice to sub-paragraph (1), a registered inspector who has been appointed for a project shall not be financially interested in any business which —
(a)is carrying out the building works for the project;
(b)manufactures or deals in materials or components used in the project; or
(c)trades in land or buildings for profit.
(3)  A registered inspector shall not, while being appointed as the registered inspector for a project, carry on or engage in any trade or business which —
(a)may affect the proper discharge of his professional duties; or
(b)would raise doubts as to his professional integrity as a registered inspector.
(4)  A registered inspector shall not hold, assume or consciously accept a position in which his interest is in conflict with his duties as a registered inspector for a project.
[G.N. Nos. S 594/2002; S 337/2004]

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations

 

This Legislative History is provided for the convenience of users of the Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations. It is not part of this Code.
1.  
G. N. No. S 594/2002—Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations 2002
Date of commencement
:
1 December 2002
2.  
2004 Revised Edition—Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations
Date of operation
:
29 February 2004
3.  
G. N. No. S 337/2004—Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) (Amendment) Regulations 2004
Date of commencement
:
1 July 2004
4.  
2008 Revised Edition—Fire Safety (Registered Inspectors) (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Regulations
Date of operation
:
2 June 2008

Archived for legal research. Authoritative version at sso.agc.gov.sg.