Digital Compliance Tool

SCDF Fire Code 2023 Decision Workflows

Search by clause, browse all 11 chapters, and use structured decision trees to understand the compliance path before confirming with the official SCDF code and your Qualified Person.

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This viewer is an interpretive workflow tool. It supports fire safety planning, but it does not replace the official Fire Code, SCDF circulars, or professional judgement.

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Chapter 5

Electrical Power Supplies

Chapter 5 governs the electrical power supply requirements for fire safety systems in buildings, covering both primary and secondary (standby) power sources. It mandates that all fire-related electrical systems — including fire alarms, emergency lighting, wet rising mains, sprinklers, mechanical ventilation/pressurisation, and emergency generators — must have secondary power supplies sized and installed to the relevant Singapore Standards. The chapter also sets requirements for fire-resistant cables, motor control equipment, and outdoor emergency generator fuel containment.

Scope: All buildings in Singapore where fire safety electrical systems are required by the SCDF Code of Practice or other Codes/Regulations, including buildings with fire lifts, fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, wet rising mains, sprinkler systems, mechanical ventilation/pressurisation for fire safety, and emergency generators.

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

  • HRC fuses or MCCBs with magnetic release must protect cable connections to motors and carry stalled motor current for ≥75% of the time that current would cause motor windings to fail.

    CriticalClause 5.2.3a

  • No-volt release mechanisms must be automatic resetting type — motors must restart automatically when power is restored (no manual reset required).

    CriticalClause 5.2.3b

  • Thermal overload trips are NOT permitted for fire safety system motors.

    CriticalClause 5.2.3c

  • Magnetic (short circuit) trips are permitted for motor circuits of mechanical ventilation systems serving essential services.

    ImportantClause 5.2.3d

Compliance thresholds

ParameterValueConditionClause
HRC fuse/MCCB stalled current withstand duration≥ 75% of the time stalled current would cause motor winding failureAll motors for fire safety systemsClause 5.2.3a

Interactive decision tree

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Are electric motors and control equipment being specified for fire safety systems?