Lessons for Singapore from Fire Tragedy at Grenfell Tower in London (KIV for texts of withdrawn PQs from Karimah)

26 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what preliminary lessons can be learnt from the fire tragedy at Grenfell Tower in London that occurred on 14 June 2017; and (b) what measures have been or will be put in place to reduce the risk of a rapid and lethal fire in high-rise buildings in Singapore, particularly those built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr K Shanmugam: I will respond to Ms Sylvia Lim’s questions. But as Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Zainal Sapari and Ms Sun Xueling have also asked related Parliamentary Questions for subsequent Sittings, I will take the chance to address them holistically in our response. Note: Notices of related Parliamentary Questions by Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Zainal Sapari and Ms Sun Xueling for later Sittings were subsequently withdrawn.

The fire at Grenfell Tower in London highlights the importance of robust fire prevention and protection measures in safeguarding lives and property.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Ms Sun Xueling have raised concerns about the safety of building construction materials, including the use of claddings. Claddings are typically used on the external walls of buildings for weather protection or aesthetic purposes. Under the Fire Code, all claddings that are used in buildings have to meet the stringent Class "0" industry standard such that, when ignited, the fire will not spread along the surface.

When the London Fire Brigade releases its investigation report on the Grenfell Tower fire, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will study these findings and assess if there is a need to make changes to fire safety regulations in Singapore.

SCDF has in place a regime that seeks to ensure that fire safety works comply with regulations. The registered architect or professional engineer, also known as the Qualified Person, or QP for short, is responsible for ensuring that building materials conform with the prevailing Fire Code. In addition, an independent Registered Inspector will have to inspect the building to ensure that all fire safety requirements have been met. It is only after this is done that SCDF will issue a Fire Safety Certificate allowing the premises to be used or occupied.

Carrying out or allowing unauthorised fire safety works is an offence under the Fire Safety Act and building owners can be fined up to $200,000 or face an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. SCDF will also take action against the registered professionals if they fail to carry out their duties properly.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked about fire safety measures for high-rise buildings. Under the Fire Code, all buildings are required to put in place fire safety provisions, such as fire hose reels, exit staircases and emergency lightings.

All high-rise buildings are required to have additional fire safety provisions, such as fire lifts. SCDF defines high-rise buildings as those that are above 24 metres in height, which is about eight to 10 storeys tall. This is similar to the definition used by the United States’ National Fire Protection Association.

Super high-rise residential buildings that exceed 40 storeys in height require at least one refuge floor for every 20 storeys. These refuge floors have to be fire resistant for at least two hours and serve as a temporary holding space for evacuees during a fire incident while the firefighters put out the fire.

SCDF conducts weekly firefighting and rescue exercises for high-rise non-residential buildings, in addition to other exercises at different locations throughout the year. The simulated scenarios allow SCDF officers to familiarise themselves with the various high-rise premises, as well as to validate response plans and procedures.

Ms Sylvia Lim also asked about SCDF's plans to ensure occupant safety in older high-rise buildings. SCDF strictly enforces the Fire Code and carries out regular reviews to ensure that the standard of fire safety in buildings keep pace with developments in the building industry and technological advancements in fire protection systems. SCDF also issues circulars to the industry on amendments to the Fire Code pertaining to new fire safety requirements.

Claddings were not commonly used till the 1980s. Notwithstanding this, since the introduction of the Fire Code in 1974, all buildings have been required to only use claddings of Class "0" standard. All old buildings built with non-compliant cladding would have to comply with the prevailing Fire Code once they carried out alteration and addition works. All Housing and Development Board (HDB) residential blocks built in the 1970s also do not use such claddings. In addition, the construction and upgrading works of all HDB residential blocks would have to comply with prevailing fire safety requirements.

Nonetheless, for old buildings that were constructed before 1974 and have not undergone any upgrading works over the years which would have required them to meet prevailing fire safety requirements, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and SCDF are reviewing legislative amendments to require some of these old buildings to perform fire safety upgrades. In doing so, we will adopt a balanced, risk-based approach.

Beyond fire safety regulations, Mr Zainal Sapari and Ms Sun Xueling also asked about evacuation procedures for residential buildings. SCDF has stipulated robust fire safety measures for residential buildings. Every residential unit is designed as a fire compartment and required by the Fire Code to be equipped with fire-rated entrance doors, walls and floors that help to prevent the spread of fire beyond the unit.

As opposed to large non-residential buildings, such as shopping centres and offices, residents would be familiar with the layout of their own homes and buildings. Hence, the carrying out of fire drills is not mandatory for residential buildings. In the event of a fire, residents should close the door of the affected room to contain the fire and evacuate to safety.

When SCDF arrives at the scene, SCDF will prioritise evacuation of occupants on the floors affected by fire, as well as those on the above two floors affected. If necessary, SCDF may proceed with subsequent evacuation of occupants on additional floors of the building. Residents in unaffected floors will be advised to stay in their respective units, each of which is a fire compartment. Such an approach will minimise injuries or mishaps resulting from the evacuation process.

SCDF actively engages the community to raise their awareness on fire safety procedures through platforms, such as Emergency Preparedness block parties and Emergency Preparedness Days organised across various heartland communities. At such events, residents are taught how to evacuate from a smoke-logged room and extinguish small household fires. We urge everyone to actively participate in such events, to pick up important basic fire safety skills.

For businesses, SCDF and the National Fire and Civil Emergency Preparedness Council (NFEC) have been organising various fire safety workshops and seminars for members of the Company Emergency Response Team (CERT), security officers, employees and trade associations. During these seminars, participants learn about good fire safety practices and also receive practical tips on emergency response skills.

Singapore has a high standard of fire safety. The number of fire fatalities per 100,000 population is among the lowest in the world.¹ This is because we take a multi-pronged approach to fire safety. But every single fatality is simply one too many. Therefore, SCDF strictly enforces, and constantly reviews, the Fire Code to ensure the safety of occupants in buildings, as well as conducts outreach and education efforts so that our citizens are well prepared to respond in the event of a fire.

But we cannot afford to be complacent, because everyone has a part to play in ensuring fire safety. From time to time, SCDF uncovers fires that start or spread due to building owners or occupants breaching the Fire Code, such as failing to maintain firefighting equipment or ensuring that exits are not obstructed. SCDF will take firm action in such instances. In some cases, fires were also caused by carelessness, such as unattended cooking in households. In recent years, SCDF has also seen an increase in the number of fires involving the charging of batteries of electric bicycles and personal mobility devices, such as hoverboards. Users of such products should use only approved power adaptors that carry the SAFETY Mark and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to charge the devices properly. We have also heard anecdotal stories of building owners and occupants taking fire evacuation drills lightly.

SCDF will do its part and take its regulatory and firefighting responsibilities seriously, but so should all of us.