Fire-rated Doors for HDB Rental Flats Given Recent Boon Lay Fire

12 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for National Development whether all HDB rental flats are installed with fire-rated doors in light of the latest fire incident in Boon Lay.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Lawrence Wong): Mr Speaker, all HDB rental flats are fitted with fire-rated entrance doors where required under the Fire Code. The purpose of fire-rated doors is to prevent the spread of fire and smoke from one flat to the other areas. So, if a flat faces a corridor where one side is open with good ventilation, fire-rated doors are not required under the Fire Code as smoke can disperse quickly from the corridor. So, the provision of fire-rated doors in rental flats by HDB is done in accordance with the Fire Code today.

All HDB blocks also incorporate other fire safety features. For instance, common corridors and lift lobbies are designed to be naturally ventilated for quick smoke dispersal. Equipment like fire hose reels, rising mains and fire-fighting lobbies are also provided, where required by the Fire Code, to facilitate fire-fighting.

In addition, HDB, SCDF and the People's Association (PA) have been working together to provide free installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) for all public rental flats by the end of 2021. This will help to alert residents to fires early, and enable them to put out the fire or evacuate to safety.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (West Coast): I thank the Minister for the answer and response. Recently, in Boon Lay, there was a fire at one of the HDB rental flats which generates this question. Can I suggest to MND possibly to have fire-rated doors on every unit outside of the Fire Code?

Mr Lawrence Wong: Mr Speaker, I think we have to stand guided by what SCDF's requirements are. They are the fire specialists and we will explore with them if indeed that is necessary. I do not think SCDF's requirements are just the bare minimum. They are very stringent where it comes to fire safety and they impose these very stringent requirements which HDB will comply with. So, whether or not there is a need for more than the existing requirements, certainly, HDB will explore with SCDF. And if there is a need to, we will comply.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): I thank the Minister for the reply as well. But as I raised yesterday, I think we have seen recent fires of units that face external corridors, it did affect the neighbouring unit. The smoke did not just dissipate upwards and it was well-ventilated. So, I support Mr Patrick Tay's call to have fire-rated doors for all units.

Second, can we at least offer it as an option during the HIP? Because I think when we go to the HIP showroom, they only offer non fire-rated doors there. So, if we cannot supply, then can we at least provide it as an option for residents to choose to pay for the fire-rated doors if they want?

Mr Lawrence Wong: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, we have a separate fire safety unit in MHA for a very specific purpose. They are the specialists in this area, not HDB. So, let us explore these requirements. I understand and appreciate the Members' concerns about fire safety. We are very concerned as well. But let us take dressing from what the fire safety standards are and we will make sure that HDB complies with that fully.