Chapter 9
Additional Requirements for Each Purpose Group
Chapter 9 sets out purpose-group-specific fire safety requirements that supplement the general provisions in Chapters 1–8. Each clause addresses the unique risks, occupancy patterns, and structural characteristics of one of the nine Purpose Groups (I–VIII plus Others). Requirements range from simplified exit provisions for small houses (PG I) to detailed compartmentation, smoke-control, and sprinkler thresholds for hospitals, factories, warehouses, and assembly buildings. Clause 9.9 covers special building types including conservation shophouses, buildings under construction, engineered timber structures, mega underground developments, and flammable refrigerant restrictions.
Scope: All buildings in Singapore classified under Purpose Groups I through VIII and special building types covered by Clause 9.9. Requirements supplement and, where they conflict with, take precedence over Chapters 1–8.
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 two independent exit staircases per storey are required in apartment/maisonette blocks, except where the one-staircase exemptions under Cl.9.2.1a.(3) and (4) apply.
CriticalCl.9.2.1a.(2)Single staircase for buildings 24–60 m habitable height is permitted only where ≤4 apartments/maisonettes per storey, travel distance from unit entrance to staircase ≤15 m, and cross-ventilated corridor/lobby with openings ≥2 m wide × 1.2 m high is provided.
CriticalCl.9.2.1a.(4)Each dwelling unit must be compartmented from adjoining units by construction of at least 1-hr FRR; exit access doors must have ≥½-hr FRR.
CriticalCl.9.2.1b.(1)(a)For buildings >24 m habitable height, facade of every unit must be separated by a minimum 1-hr fire-rated spandrel ≥1.5 m height OR a 1-hr horizontal projection ≥600 mm from the building.
CriticalCl.9.2.1b.(3)Super high-rise residential buildings must have at least one refuge floor per 20 storeys with an evacuee holding area of ≥0.3 m²/person, naturally ventilated with ≥25% floor area openings, and 2-hr FRR masonry construction.
CriticalCl.9.2.2aSuper high-rise buildings require at least two fire lifts; fire lift car must be ≥1.7 m (depth) × 1.5 m (width); two-way emergency voice communication to refuge floor lobby.
CriticalCl.9.2.2bOne-way travel distance along external corridor from unit door to exit staircase must not exceed 20 m (or 24 m if aggregate one-way distance including in-unit travel does not exceed 40 m).
ImportantCl.9.2.1a.(8)(a)
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum habitable height for single-staircase exemption (low-rise) | 24 m | Single staircase permitted where building does not exceed this height | Cl.9.2.1a.(3) |
| Maximum habitable height for single-staircase exemption (mid-rise) | 60 m | Single staircase for buildings >24 m but ≤60 m, with ≤4 units/storey and 15 m travel distance | Cl.9.2.1a.(4) |
| Maximum travel distance — unit entrance door to exit staircase (single-staircase mid-rise) | 15 m | Single exit staircase serving building 24–60 m habitable height | Cl.9.2.1a.(4)(d) |
| Maximum one-way travel distance — external corridor to exit staircase | 20 m (or 24 m if aggregate ≤40 m) | Apartment/maisonette block with external corridor | Cl.9.2.1a.(8)(a) |
| Maximum two-way travel distance — external corridor | 45 m | External corridor as per Cl.2.3.10 | Cl.9.2.1a.(8)(b) |
| Maximum in-unit travel distance to entrance door | 20 m | Travel from any point within apartment/maisonette to entrance door | Cl.9.2.1a.(5)(a) |
| Maisonette upper storey max floor area (single entrance door) | 60 m² | Where single entrance door on lower storey; >60 m² requires separate upper exit | Cl.9.2.1a.(5)(b)(ii) |
| Refuge floor interval (super high-rise) | Every 20 storeys | Super high-rise residential buildings | Cl.9.2.2a |
| Evacuee holding area size per person | 0.3 m²/person | Refuge floor evacuee holding area | Cl.9.2.2a.(4) |
| Evacuee holding area ventilation openings | ≥25% of floor area | Natural ventilation of refuge floor evacuee holding area on at least two sides | Cl.9.2.2a.(6) |
| Smoke barrier corridor subdivision — sprinkler-protected | 45 m | Internal corridor not naturally ventilated; building sprinkler-protected | Cl.9.7.2d.(1)(a) |
| Minimum fire lift car size (super high-rise) | 1.7 m (depth) × 1.5 m (width) | Super high-rise residential buildings | Cl.9.2.2b.(1) |
| Facade spandrel height (buildings >24 m) | ≥1.5 m (1-hr FRR) | Residential buildings exceeding 24 m habitable height — facade separation | Cl.9.2.1b.(3)(a) |
| Facade horizontal projection (alternative to spandrel, buildings >24 m) | ≥600 mm (1-hr FRR) | Alternative to spandrel — horizontal projection from building facade | Cl.9.2.1b.(3)(b) |
Interactive decision tree
Determine applicable PG II exit staircase provisions