Fire Safety Plans for High-rise and High-density Public Housing

Debated in Parliament on 16 Sep 2013.

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Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked whether the Ministry has considered fire safety plans for high-rise and high-density public housing to ensure residents are aware of evacuation routes and fire prevention.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that SCDF stipulates fire safety standards under the Fire Code, requiring alternate escape routes, refuge floors, and fire lifts for high-rise buildings, with all HDB blocks complying with these standards.
He noted that evacuation routes and staircases are displayed at lift lobbies, and SCDF and PA conduct regular awareness programmes, including Emergency Preparedness Day drills and the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme.
SCDF also provides a Civil Defence Emergency Handbook in multiple languages, available in hardcopy and online, to guide residents during emergencies.

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Alex Yam Ziming

Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked the Minister for National Development with the move towards intensifying the construction of high-rise and high-density public housing, whether the Ministry has considered fire safety plans for such developments to ensure residents are fully aware of evacuation routes and fire prevention plans.

Khaw Boon Wan

SCDF stipulates fire safety standards for all buildings in Singapore, including public housing, under the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings or the Fire Code. For high-rise residential buildings, SCDF also requires them to be designed with either alternate means of escape or cross ventilation for smoke dissipation in the event of a fire. Residential buildings over 40 storeys high must have refuge floors and at least two fire lifts to facilitate swift fire-fighting and rescue operations by SCDF.

All HDB residential blocks comply with the Fire Code and are designed with natural ventilation. The open access corridors facilitate smoke dispersal and improve visibility in the event of a fire. The locations of the escape routes and staircases are shown on the notice boards at every lift lobby.

SCDF and the People's Association (PA) regularly raise awareness on fire safety for a more self-reliant and resilient community in handling emergencies. Each year, 48 Emergency Preparedness (EP) Day programmes are organised by the PA's Community Emergency and Engagement Committees (C2Es) in close consultation with SCDF. Based on a fire scenario at a HDB block, the evacuation drill exercise conducted as part of the EP Day familiarises residents with the evacuation routes. SCDF's Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP) trains members of the public on fire safety and evacuation procedures

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during emergencies. SCDF's Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, which uses pictorial illustrations and text to depict the actions that need to be taken during emergencies, is also available in four languages both in hardcopy as well as online for download.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked whether the Ministry has considered fire safety plans for high-rise and high-density public housing to ensure residents are aware of evacuation routes and fire prevention.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that SCDF stipulates fire safety standards under the Fire Code, requiring alternate escape routes, refuge floors, and fire lifts for high-rise buildings, with all HDB blocks complying with these standards.
He noted that evacuation routes and staircases are displayed at lift lobbies, and SCDF and PA conduct regular awareness programmes, including Emergency Preparedness Day drills and the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme.
SCDF also provides a Civil Defence Emergency Handbook in multiple languages, available in hardcopy and online, to guide residents during emergencies.

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Fire Safety Plans for High-rise and High-density Public Housing | PAPERCUTS

Fire Safety Plans for High-rise and High-density Public Housing

Debated in Parliament on 16 Sep 2013.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked whether the Ministry has considered fire safety plans for high-rise and high-density public housing to ensure residents are aware of evacuation routes and fire prevention.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that SCDF stipulates fire safety standards under the Fire Code, requiring alternate escape routes, refuge floors, and fire lifts for high-rise buildings, with all HDB blocks complying with these standards.
He noted that evacuation routes and staircases are displayed at lift lobbies, and SCDF and PA conduct regular awareness programmes, including Emergency Preparedness Day drills and the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme.
SCDF also provides a Civil Defence Emergency Handbook in multiple languages, available in hardcopy and online, to guide residents during emergencies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Alex Yam Ziming

Khaw Boon Wan

Page: 106

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked whether the Ministry has considered fire safety plans for high-rise and high-density public housing to ensure residents are aware of evacuation routes and fire prevention.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that SCDF stipulates fire safety standards under the Fire Code, requiring alternate escape routes, refuge floors, and fire lifts for high-rise buildings, with all HDB blocks complying with these standards.
He noted that evacuation routes and staircases are displayed at lift lobbies, and SCDF and PA conduct regular awareness programmes, including Emergency Preparedness Day drills and the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme.
SCDF also provides a Civil Defence Emergency Handbook in multiple languages, available in hardcopy and online, to guide residents during emergencies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Fire Safety Plans for High-rise and High-density Public Housing

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Alex Yam Ziming

Khaw Boon Wan

Summary

Questions Identified

Fire Safety Plans for High-rise and High-density Public Housing

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Alex Yam Ziming

Khaw Boon Wan

Summary

Questions Identified