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
At least 2 fire lifts must be provided for non-PG I/II buildings with habitable height exceeding 24 m. PG II buildings require ≥1 fire lift above 24 m; ≥2 for super high-rise PG II (>40 storeys).
CriticalClause 6.6.4bAll buildings (except PG I) must also provide ≥2 fire lifts if basement depth exceeds 9 m below average grade level.
CriticalClause 6.6.4b.(3)Fire lift travel distance from lift landing door to exit staircase door must not exceed 5 m (extendable to 10 m at ground floor final discharge with additional signage).
CriticalClause 6.6.4c.(1)Any part of any storey must be within 60 m coverage from the fire lift door.
CriticalClause 6.6.4c.(3)Evacuation lifts for PWDs required for non-PG I/II buildings >24 m habitable height and all buildings accessible to PWDs (except Cl.2.4.1a exclusions).
CriticalClause 6.6.5aStandby generating plant required for: PG II buildings with private lifts or >60 m habitable height; mixed-use residential with lifts serving both residential and non-residential floors; PG III–VIII >4 storeys; all basements (excluding PG I and single household in cluster housing).
CriticalClause 6.6.3bBlind lift hoist ways exceeding 11 m require rescue hooks; those exceeding 18 m require intermediate landing emergency doors (unless adjacent cars have car emergency doors).
ImportantClause 6.6.7
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitable height trigger for mandatory fire lifts (non-PG I/II) | > 24 m | All buildings except PG I and II | Clause 6.6.4b.(1) |
| PG II — minimum fire lifts | ≥ 1 fire lift | PG II buildings with habitable height > 24 m | Clause 6.6.4b.(2) |
| Super high-rise PG II — minimum fire lifts | ≥ 2 fire lifts | PG II buildings above 40 storeys | Clause 6.6.4b.(2) |
| Basement depth trigger for ≥2 fire lifts (all PG except PG I) | > 9 m below average grade level | All buildings except PG I | Clause 6.6.4b.(3) |
| Maximum travel distance — fire lift door to exit staircase door | ≤ 5 m | All storeys (except ground floor final discharge) | Clause 6.6.4c.(1) |
| Maximum travel distance — fire lift door to exit staircase door (ground floor exception) | ≤ 10 m | Final discharge at ground level — with additional signage if >5 m | Clause 6.6.4c.(1)(a) |
| Fire lift coverage from door | ≤ 60 m | Any part of any storey must be within this distance from fire lift door | Clause 6.6.4c.(3) |
| Evacuation lift clear car platform (fire lift dual-use for PWD) | min 1.2 m × 1.4 m | Fire lift serving dual purpose as PWD evacuation lift (non-super high-rise PG II) | Clause 6.6.5b.(2) |
| Evacuation lift clear car platform — super high-rise PG II (>40 storeys) | min 1.7 m × 1.5 m | PG II buildings with more than 40 storeys | Clause 6.6.5b.(2) |
| Standby generating plant — PG III–VIII storey threshold | > 4 storeys | PG III–VIII buildings | Clause 6.6.3b.(1)(c) |
| Rescue hooks required — blind lift hoist way sill-to-sill distance | > 11 m and < 18 m | Blind lift hoist ways | Clause 6.6.7b.(1) |
| Landing emergency doors required — sill-to-sill distance | > 18 m | Blind lift hoist ways without adjacent car emergency doors | Clause 6.6.7c.(1) |
| Rescue hook pull-out strength | ≥ 1000 kg (10 kN) | Each rescue hook | Clause 6.6.7b.(3) |
| Rescue hook maximum diameter | ≤ 14 mm | Each rescue hook | Clause 6.6.7b.(3) |
| Rescue hook spacing | 500 mm – 700 mm between hooks | Pair of rescue hooks | Clause 6.6.7b.(3) |
| Localised detector coverage area at designated floor | ≥ 3 m surrounding the lift landing door opening | Localised detectors at designated floor for lift homing | Clause 6.6.6e.(3)(c) |
| ARD applicable for residential bypass lifts habitable height limit | ≤ 60 m | Passenger lifts serving only residential floors, bypassing non-residential in protected shaft | Clause 6.6.6d.(2) |
| Evacuation lift signage letter height | ≥ 25 mm | Evacuation Lift signage on wall adjacent to lift door at every landing | Clause 6.6.5e.(2) |
Interactive decision tree
Is the building Purpose Group I?