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
Dry rising mains required for PG II–VIII buildings with habitable height > 10 m and ≤ 60 m; wet rising mains required for habitable height > 60 m.
CriticalClause 6.2.1aDry rising mains (SS 575) must be provided to supply any part of a single or multiple level basement regardless of other rising main provisions.
CriticalClause 6.2.1bAll buildings fitted with rising mains must have a fire engine accessway/road within 18 m of the breeching inlet, and inlets must be visible from the accessway.
CriticalClause 6.2.3aStandby fire hoses (63.5 mm nominal diameter, 30 m length, Dutch Roll, Type 3 per BS 6391) are required for every rising main except in PG II buildings. Hose must be located ≤ 2 m from landing valve.
ImportantClause 6.2.5Hose reels (SS 575) must be provided on every storey of every building regardless of height; coverage distance is 36 m (30 m hose path + 6 m throw). Reels must be ≤ 5 m from exit door.
CriticalClause 6.2.8a.(1), 6.2.8d.(2)Wet riser pumps must be installed within a fire-compartmented pump room; pump room floor level must not be lower than main floor level.
ImportantClause 6.2.4fHeight measurement for rising main classification is taken from the fire engine accessway level (or access road where no accessway exists).
ImportantClause 6.2.1c
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitable height — dry rising main trigger (lower bound) | > 10 m | PG II to VIII buildings | Clause 6.2.1a.(1) |
| Habitable height — dry rising main upper bound / wet rising main trigger | ≤ 60 m for dry; > 60 m for wet | PG II to VIII buildings | Clause 6.2.1a.(1)–(2) |
| Fire engine accessway distance to breeching inlet | ≤ 18 m | All buildings fitted with rising mains | Clause 6.2.3a |
| 1st storey landing valve — distance from breeching inlet triggering additional valve | > 38 m (30 m hose + 8 m jet throw) | PG III–VIII buildings (not PG II) | Clause 6.2.2c.(1) |
| Hose reel coverage distance | 36 m (30 m hose path + 6 m throw) | All storeys | Clause 6.2.8d.(2) |
| Hose reel siting distance from exit door | ≤ 5 m | All hose reels | Clause 6.2.8d.(2) |
| Standby hose reel nominal diameter | 20 mm or 25 mm | All hose reels | Clause 6.2.8b |
| Standby hose reel maximum length | ≤ 30 m | All hose reels | Clause 6.2.8b |
| Standby fire hose nominal diameter | 63.5 mm | Rising main standby hoses (all except PG II buildings) | Clause 6.2.5a.(1) |
| Standby fire hose standard length | 30 m | Each standby fire hose | Clause 6.2.5a.(3) |
| Standby hose coupling minimum working pressure | 15 bar | Couplings on standby fire hoses | Clause 6.2.5a.(2) |
| Water flow rate — wet riser, 1 stack (non-residential) | 38 L/s | Non-residential buildings, 1 stack | Clause 6.2.4g Table 6.2.4g |
| Water flow rate — wet riser, 1 stack (residential) | 27 L/s | Residential buildings, 1 stack | Clause 6.2.4g Table 6.2.4g |
| Water flow rate — wet riser, 4+ stacks (non-residential) | 95 L/s | Non-residential buildings, 4 or more stacks | Clause 6.2.4g Table 6.2.4g |
| Foam inlet breeching pipe bore (minimum) | 100 mm | Basement boiler/storage rooms not easily accessible for firefighting | Clause 6.2.7b |
| Hose reel cabinet depth (one hose) | ≤ 250 mm | Wall-mounted cabinets for one fire hose | Clause 6.2.5c.(5) |
| Hose reel cabinet depth (two hoses) | ≤ 350 mm | Wall-mounted cabinets for two fire hoses | Clause 6.2.5c.(5) |
| Hose reel siting from landing valve | ≤ 2 m | Standby fire hose adjacent to landing valve | Clause 6.2.5b.(1) |
| Non-residential hose reel exemption — AFA threshold | ≤ 150 m² | Non-residential unit at 1st storey of mixed commercial-residential or single-storey standalone building | Clause 6.2.8a.(3)(b)(i) |
Interactive decision tree
What is the habitable height of the building (measured from fire engine accessway level)?