Lack of Fire-rated Entrance Door at Some HDB Flats

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the lack of a fire-rated entrance door affects the design of a HDB flat as a fire compartment; and (b) whether there are additional fire safety measures in place for HDB blocks where the majority of flats do not have fire-rated entrance doors.

Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks comply with the prevailing fire safety standards when they are built. Fire-rated entrance doors are provided where required under the Fire Code, such as for units where the entrance doors are within three metres of the lift lobby or staircase. This is to ensure that the lift lobbies and staircases are well-protected so that all residents in the block can evacuate safely in the event of a fire. There are some unit types that do not require fire-rated doors under the Fire Code, such as those opening into external corridors. This notwithstanding, every residential unit is designed as a fire compartment, with concrete walls and floors that help to prevent the spread of fire beyond or into the unit.

Apart from designing all flats as fire compartments, HDB blocks incorporate other fire safety features. Staircases and lift lobbies of HDB blocks have good cross-ventilation for quick smoke dispersal. There are also exit staircases at a reasonable distance from each unit entrance to provide a safe means of escape from the building in the event of a fire. To facilitate firefighting, fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, dry or wet rising mains, fire engine access roads/access ways, firefighting lobbies and firemen lifts are also provided to HDB blocks where required by the Fire Code.