Chapter 8
Emergency Lighting & Voice Communication Systems
Chapter 8 governs the provision of exit lighting, emergency lighting, exit and directional signage, photoluminescent markings, and emergency voice communication systems in buildings. It prescribes where each type of lighting and signage is required, the performance standards (illuminance levels, energisation delay times, power supply duration), sign dimensions and viewing distances, and the conditions under which a Fire Command Centre (FCC) and one-way or two-way Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) system must be installed and its location, size and construction requirements.
Scope: All buildings except PG I (which is broadly exempt) for lighting and signage provisions; buildings of PG III–VIII meeting size, height or occupant load thresholds for EVC and FCC provisions. Specific additional requirements apply to hotels, car parks, FCCs, generator rooms, fire pump rooms, and areas of refuge.
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
A one-way EVC system and FCC are required for PG III–VIII large buildings with AFA >5,000 m² or occupant load >1,000 persons (excluding car parks from AFA/occupant load calculations), and are not applicable to primary/secondary schools and junior colleges for the AFA/occupant load trigger.
CriticalClause 8.2.1aA one-way EVC and FCC are required for all PG III–VIII buildings of more than 24 m in habitable height.
CriticalClause 8.2.1bFor hotels and healthcare buildings that are <24 m in habitable height AND AFA ≤5,000 m² AND occupant load ≤1,000 persons, an ordinary public address system (without FCC) is sufficient. Loudspeakers must cover every lift lobby, staircase enclosure and other strategic positions.
ImportantClause 8.2.1dA two-way EVC is required for all buildings already requiring a one-way EVC, AND for multi-level basements of PG II–VIII (except single-level basements and PG II multi-level basements ≤2 storeys used solely for car parking).
CriticalClause 8.2.2aTwo-way EVC must provide communication from FCC to every fire lift lobby (including 1st storey), all firefighting mechanical equipment rooms, all smoke control equipment rooms, all lift machine rooms, fire lifts, each area of refuge, and AHU control rooms (unless remotely monitored from FCC with fire-rated cabling).
CriticalClause 8.2.2bAll EVC systems must comply with SS 546.
ImportantClause 8.2.3
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFA threshold for one-way EVC (PG III–VIII excl. schools) | Greater than 5,000 m² | AFA excludes above-ground and underground car parks | Clause 8.2.1a |
| Occupant load threshold for one-way EVC | Greater than 1,000 persons | Occupant load excludes car park; PG III excl. primary/secondary/JC | Clause 8.2.1a |
| Habitable height threshold for one-way EVC | More than 24 m | PG III–VIII buildings | Clause 8.2.1b |
| Hotel/healthcare ordinary PA system threshold (no FCC required) | Habitable height <24 m AND AFA ≤5,000 m² AND occupant load ≤1,000 | Hotel or healthcare building only | Clause 8.2.1d |
| Two-way EVC — multi-level basement exemption for PG II | Multi-level basement ≤2 storeys deep, used solely for car parking | PG II buildings only | Clause 8.2.2a(2)(b) |
Interactive decision tree
Determine if Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) system is required.