Percentage of Pre-2018 HDB Units Lacking Home Fire Alarm Devices and Cost Benefit Analysis Mandating Compulsory Installation of Such Devices
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the implementation of Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) in older HDB flats and the rationale behind current mandatory installation policies. Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the percentage of pre-2018 units without HFADs and whether these devices should be mandated for all units and corridors. Minister K Shanmugam explained that the government employs a risk-calibrated approach, mandating HFADs for new homes and those undergoing specific fire safety-related additions or alterations. He highlighted that as of June 2025, 17% of all HDB flats have HFADs, with significant progress in rental units and subsidies of up to 95% available for seniors. The Minister concluded that mandating HFADs for corridors or linking them to centralized fire management systems is not considered necessary at this juncture.
Transcript
105 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what percentage of pre-2018 HDB units lack Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs); (b) what cost-benefit analysis supports not mandating HFADs for older units when it is compulsory for new HDB homes; (c) whether HFADs will be mandated for all units/corridors of older HDB blocks; and (d) whether linkage to centralised building systems will be considered for efficient evacuations.
Mr K Shanmugam: As of June 2025, Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) have been installed in about 191,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, or 17%, of all HDB flats. Of these, 74,000 flats, or 39%, were built prior to 2018.
In 2018, we made it mandatory for all new residential premises to have HFADs. For existing residential premises, we took a risk-calibrated approach and only mandated it for homes which are carrying out fire safety related addition and alteration works. This was to strike a balance in wanting to ensure its adoption, but in a practical manner. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage all homeowners to install HFADs and have put in place several schemes to support them in doing so.
More than 80% of HDB public rental flats already have HFADs installed and HDB will progressively install HFADs in the remaining 20%. The installation of HFADs is done at no charge to the tenants.
In 2024, Ministry of National Development expanded the Enhancement for Active Seniors programme to include the installation of HFADs. Seniors can enjoy a subsidy of up to 95% to install HFADs in their homes. HFADs are also installed as part of fire safety works, under the Home Improvement Programme in cases where fire-rated doors are installed.
We will continue to review the fire safety of our HDB flats. However, we do not see a need for HFADs at HDB corridors or for centralised building fire management systems, at this juncture.