Chapter 2
Means of Escape
Chapter 2 governs the design, construction, and maintenance of all exit facilities required to provide safe means of escape from buildings in Singapore. It covers how to determine exit requirements based on occupancy type, occupant load, travel distance, and exit capacity, and sets specific numeric thresholds drawn from Table 2.2A. Special provisions address smoke-free approaches to staircases, exit door requirements, remoteness of exits, and dedicated requirements for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Scope: Applies to all buildings erected, altered, or changed in occupancy in Singapore, across all purpose groups (PG I–VIII). Specific sub-clauses address residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, assembly, and basement occupancies.
Source: SCDF Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2023. This is a guidance summary — always verify against the full Fire Code clause text.
Critical points
At least two designated PWD Holding Points must be remotely positioned on every storey of a building (except first storey/grade level), unless the building is designed with a single exit staircase permitted under the Code.
CriticalClause 2.4.2b(1)PWD Holding Points must be enclosed with fire-resisting construction and served directly by a safe route to a storey exit, evacuation lift, or final exit.
CriticalClause 2.4.5A suitable means of communication (distress button or dedicated voice communication) between the PWD Holding Point and the Fire Command Centre or 24-hour manned station must be provided and must never be locked.
CriticalClause 2.4.3Escape routes must be free from obstacles causing undue delay to PWDs (e.g. raised thresholds or steps). Where minor changes in level occur within a storey, a ramp conforming to the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment must be provided.
ImportantClause 2.4.1bPWD Holding Point space must be at least 900 mm × 1,400 mm. When located inside an exit staircase, smoke-free lobby, or fire lift lobby, it must not reduce the required dimensions of those areas or obstruct evacuation flow.
ImportantClause 2.4.4a–bWheelchair stairlifts, if installed, must be sited inside the exit staircase and must not encroach into the escape path when in operating position.
ImportantClause 2.4.6bPG I and II buildings, hospitals, nursing care facilities, PG III–VIII buildings not served by any lift, and non-residential ancillary uses within residential developments are exempt from PWD holding point requirements.
NoteClause 2.4.1a
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| PWD Holding Point minimum space per wheelchair | 900 mm × 1,400 mm | Each PWD Holding Point | Clause 2.4.4a |
| Communication device mounting height | 800 mm to 1,200 mm above finished floor level | Distress button or voice communication handset at PWD Holding Point | Clause 2.4.3a |
| Minimum clear corridor width serving as escape route to PWD Holding Point | 1.2 m | Corridor serving as escape route on storeys with PWD Holding Points | Clause 2.4.2b(1) |
| Number of PWD Holding Points per storey (minimum) | 2 (remotely positioned) | All storeys except first storey/grade level (except buildings with single exit staircase) | Clause 2.4.2b(1) |
Interactive decision tree
Assess PWD requirements for the building.