Chapter 6
Firefighting Systems
Chapter 6 specifies the full range of active firefighting systems required in Singapore buildings under the SCDF Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2023. It covers portable extinguishers, rising main and hose reel systems, electrical fire alarm systems (including HFAD for residential units), automatic fire sprinkler installations, fixed automatic extinguishing systems, lift provisions (fire lifts and evacuation lifts), colour identification of fire protection equipment, and redundancy requirements for fire pumping systems. Key decision triggers are building habitable height (thresholds at 10 m, 24 m, 60 m) and purpose group, which together determine the type of rising main, whether sprinklers are mandatory, the number of fire lifts required, and the class of fire alarm system.
Scope: All new and existing buildings in Singapore across Purpose Groups I–VIII, with specific applicability thresholds by building height, floor area, occupancy type, and basement depth. Applies to Qualified Persons, building owners, and fire safety engineers.
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
Fire pump and control panels, sprinkler and wet riser breeching inlets (excluding cabinet/enclosure), sprinkler control valves, fire alarm panels, manual call points, visual alarm light housings, rising main pipes and landing valves, hose reel drums must all be painted RED.
ImportantClause 6.7.1Dry riser breeching inlets must be yellow; wet riser breeching inlets must be red. Dry pillar hydrants are entirely yellow; wet pillar hydrants are red with a yellow band per SS 575.
ImportantClause 6.7.1c, 6.7.1d.(3)–(4)Pipework, conduits, trunking and cable trays not required to be entirely red must have red colour bands ≥20 mm wide at intervals of ≤6 m, plus labelling.
ImportantClause 6.7.2Graphical symbols for fire safety equipment must comply with SS 508. Symbol size scales with viewing distance: 60 mm (0–6 m), 90 mm (6–9 m), 120 mm (9–12 m), 150 mm (≥12 m).
NoteClause 6.7.3, 6.2.9
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red colour band width on pipework/conduits/trunking | ≥ 20 mm | Pipework not required to be entirely red | Clause 6.7.2 |
| Red colour band interval on pipework | ≤ 6 m apart | Along the full length of fire protection system pipework | Clause 6.7.2 |
| Graphical symbol minimum height — viewing distance 0–6 m | 60 mm | Viewing distance 0–6 m | Table 6.2.9, 6.7.3 |
| Graphical symbol minimum height — viewing distance 6–9 m | 90 mm | Viewing distance 6–9 m | Table 6.2.9, 6.7.3 |
| Graphical symbol minimum height — viewing distance 9–12 m | 120 mm | Viewing distance 9–12 m | Table 6.2.9, 6.7.3 |
| Graphical symbol minimum height — viewing distance ≥12 m | 150 mm | Viewing distance 12 m or more | Table 6.2.9, 6.7.3 |
Interactive decision tree
What type of fire protection equipment / pipework is being colour-coded?