HDB's Role in Ensuring Fire Safety at Coffee Shops and Eating Houses, and Fire Insurance Requirements Imposed on Stallholders
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Sylvia Lim asking the Minister for National Development about HDB's role in ensuring fire safety at coffee shops and eating houses within HDB blocks, alongside the fire insurance requirements for business operators and individual stallholders. In response, Mr Chee Hong Tat stated that HDB collaborates with the SCDF, requiring operators to submit renovation drawings, obtain fire safety approvals, and secure a Fire Safety Certificate before occupation. After opening, HDB conducts annual fire safety inspections and requires kitchen exhaust system servicing reports during tenancy or licence renewals to minimize grease build-up fire risks. These measures complement the scheduled and unannounced inspections carried out by the SCDF. Regarding insurance, privately-owned shop owners must purchase basic fire insurance, while HDB tenants must obtain fire insurance covering HDB's fixtures and fittings as well as at least $1,000,000 in public liability insurance under penalty of tenancy termination.
Transcript
58 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what role does HDB perform in ensuring fire safety at coffee shops and eating houses within HDB blocks; and (b) what are the respective fire insurance requirements imposed on operators of businesses and on individual stallholders.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) works closely with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) on fire safety matters for coffee shops within HDB blocks. Before commencing renovations, coffee shop operators are required to engage a qualified person and submit their fire safety plans to SCDF for approval, as well as their renovation drawings to HDB for approval. Before occupation is allowed, the operator must obtain a Fire Safety Certificate from SCDF.
After operations have commenced, HDB conducts annual fire safety inspections and advises operators on good fire safety practices. Operators are also required to submit kitchen exhaust system servicing reports when renewing their tenancy or outdoor refreshment area licence. This ensures that kitchen exhaust ducts are properly maintained and cleaned, reducing the risk of grease build-up that can cause fires to spread. These checks are in addition to SCDF's scheduled and unannounced inspections of these premises.
On fire insurance, owners of privately-owned HDB shops are required under the terms of their lease with HDB to purchase basic fire insurance. Tenants of shops let out by HDB are required to take up fire insurance for HDB's fixtures and fittings, and public liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. Non-compliance may result in non-renewal or termination of tenancy.