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
An exit sign must be placed over every exit door on every floor, clearly visible at all times. Exit signs are also required over all exit access doors for rooms with more than one door.
CriticalClause 8.1.7a(1)–(2)Directional signs must be provided in long corridors, open floor areas, and wherever exit locations are not readily visible, and in rooms where the line of sight to the exit access door is obstructed.
CriticalClause 8.1.7bLow-level or floor-mounted exit and directional signs are required on hotel accommodation floors (including boarding houses) in addition to standard signage.
CriticalClause 8.1.7cPhotoluminescent marking/tape of width ≥50 mm must be installed along exit staircase walls/floors, on lobby and staircase doors, and along corridors with directional signs, in all buildings except PG I and II — unless specific alternative emergency lighting redundancy conditions are met.
CriticalClause 8.1.8a–bSelf-luminous signs using radioactive material are permitted subject to compliance with UL 924, SS 563 and SS 508 (Parts 1, 2, 3 & 5). For viewing distance calculation, the distance factor Z must be fixed at 50.
NoteClause 8.1.7fExit sign is not required at PG I and II buildings, and is exempted for single-door rooms with emergency lighting; for single-door rooms without emergency lighting where furthest distance ≤7 m; or where the room has ≥50% clear glazing facing a lit corridor and furthest distance ≤13 m.
ImportantClause 8.1.7a(4)
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit sign exemption — room without emergency lighting, single door | Furthest distance ≤7 m to exit access door | Single-door room without emergency lighting | Clause 8.1.7a(4)(c)(i) |
| Exit sign exemption — room without emergency lighting, glazed wall | Furthest distance ≤13 m with ≥50% clear glazing facing lit corridor/external | Room without emergency lighting, partially glazed wall | Clause 8.1.7a(4)(c)(ii) |
| Photoluminescent marking minimum width | At least 50 mm | All photoluminescent markings/tape | Clause 8.1.8b |
| Photoluminescent marking — low level mounting height (bottom of sign) | Not less than 150 mm and not more than 400 mm above floor level | Low-level photoluminescent signs | Clause 8.1.8b |
| Self-luminous sign viewing distance factor | Z = 50 (fixed) | Self-luminous exit and directional signs using radioactive material | Clause 8.1.7f |
| Open-sided single storey building — sign exemption | Floor area ≤200 m², openings ≥80% of perimeter wall area | Directional sign and exit sign exemption | Clauses 8.1.7a(4)(d), 8.1.7b(3)(c) |
Interactive decision tree
Determine exit sign, directional sign and photoluminescent marking requirements.