SCDF Fire Code 2023 Decision Workflows

Clause 1.1 defines which buildings fall under the Fire Code and which are governed, wholly or partly, by specialist standards. Transit stations and trainways follow CPFPRTS; laboratories, road tunnels, open plant facilities, pipeline corridors, and flammable material stores each have dedicated Singapore or NFPA standards. For all other buildings the Fire Code applies in full.

A Fire Safety Report (Appendix 1) must be submitted to SCDF for building projects or fire safety provisions specified by SCDF when making a building plan submission. The report details fire protection systems, life safety features, and fire safety management.

A Fire Safety Instruction Manual (FSIM, Appendix 2) must be submitted when applying for a Temporary Fire Permit or Fire Safety Certificate. The building owner must maintain the FSIM at all times and update it whenever Addition & Alteration (A&A) works are carried out; updates must be submitted to SCDF for record.

The Fire Code references numerous local (SS) and international (NFPA, BS, ISO, etc.) codes. Only the latest version of each referenced standard applies. Where any conflict exists between the Fire Code and a referenced standard, the Fire Code prevails. All installed fire protection systems must be maintained in accordance with the applicable standards listed in Table 1.2A.

Buildings are assigned a Purpose Group (PG I–VIII) based on their use. The Purpose Group determines which fire safety criteria apply throughout the Code. Where a building has multiple uses, each compartment is classified separately; if a compartment has multiple uses, the main (dominant) use determines the Purpose Group. Unlisted uses must be consulted with SCDF.

The occupant load is the total number of persons that can occupy a building or part thereof at any one time. It is calculated by dividing the accessible floor area of each functional space by the applicable occupant load factor from Table 1.4B, or by the number of fixed seats for assembly occupancies. SCDF approval is required for any factor not listed in the table.

Chapter 1 contains 114 defined terms that govern how the rest of the Code is interpreted. The most consequential definitions for compliance design include: Accessible Floor Area, Air Well, Area of Refuge, Habitable Height, High Hazard Occupancy, Occupant Load, Purpose Group, Travel Distance, and the three care-facility types (ambulatory, custodian, nursing, supervisory). Understanding these definitions determines which provisions apply.