Evacuation Procedures for High-rise Fires in Older HDB Blocks
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Saktiandi Supaat’s inquiry regarding fire evacuation procedures for older HDB blocks and the potential adoption of new technologies like smoke curtains or evacuation chairs. Coordinating Minister and Minister Mr K Shanmugam explained that HDB units are designed as fire compartments to facilitate targeted evacuation by the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Current procedures prioritize the evacuation of the fire-affected floor and the two floors immediately above, while residents on unaffected floors are advised to remain in their units to minimize mishaps. This approach aligns with international best practices, and the Coordinating Minister and Minister noted that smoke curtains and evacuation chairs currently offer limited benefits over existing fire safety measures. The Singapore Civil Defence Force will continue to review residential procedures and evaluate other emerging technologies to ensure they remain effective and enhance firefighting operations.
Transcript
79 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has reviewed its evacuation procedures for high-rise fires in older HDB blocks; and (b) whether the SCDF has plans to require new technologies, such as smoke curtains or evacuation chairs, to be adopted by HDB.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) residential units are designed as fire compartments to delay the spread of a fire. This facilitates firefighting, while enhancing the safety of residents.
It also enables the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to be targeted in its evacuation of residential buildings. For high-rise fires, SCDF prioritises the evacuation of occupants on the floors affected by the fire, as well as those residing in the two floors above. Residents in unaffected floors should remain in their respective units and will only be evacuated if SCDF assesses that it is necessary. Our overall approach seeks to minimise injuries and mishaps resulting from the evacuation. It is aligned with international best practices.
SCDF constantly reviews its evacuation procedures for residential buildings to ensure that they remain effective. For now, SCDF does not have plans to implement smoke curtains or evacuation chairs in HDB blocks. We have assessed that these measures present limited additional benefits over the existing measures. SCDF will continue to review other technologies that may enhance our operations.