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
Conservation shophouses: change of use to public accommodation is not permitted. Upgrading must cover the whole building — partial upgrading is not allowed.
CriticalCl.9.9.1aEngineered timber buildings: must be fully sprinkler-protected if habitable height >12 m. Essential escape provisions (staircase shafts, lift shafts) must be non-combustible unless height ≤12 m and no healthcare occupancy.
CriticalCl.9.9.5b.(2)–(3)Mega underground developments: each cavern unit compartment must not exceed 4,000 m²/15,000 m³; element of structure/compartment FRR ≥4 hours; at least two exit shafts, each with exit staircases ≥1.5 m wide and a fire lift lobby.
CriticalCl.9.9.7b–cBuildings under construction: dry/wet rising mains must be made operational for all storeys (except uppermost 3) once the building exceeds 24 m habitable height.
CriticalCl.9.9.3a.(1)For PG I/II buildings, flammable refrigerants (other than R32 in split systems) are not permitted in building air-conditioning systems requiring piping into occupied areas.
CriticalCl.9.9.6aConservation shophouses — max travel distance (single escape route): 13 m for non-sprinkler buildings.
ImportantCl.9.9.1g.(1)Mega underground developments: all cavern units require at least two-way escape; one-way travel ≤20 m, two-way ≤50 m; protected corridors sectorised with fire doors (≤4 cavern units or 60 m per sector).
ImportantCl.9.9.7b.(4)–(7)
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max travel distance (single escape route, non-sprinkler shophouse) | 13 m | Conservation shophouses with only one escape route (non-sprinkler) | Cl.9.9.1g.(1) |
| 2-storey shophouse attic max floor area | 50% of floor below or 50 m² (whichever less) per compartment | Addition of attic to 2-storey shophouse | Cl.9.9.1c.(1)(d) |
| Amalgamation trigger for sprinkler system | >2,000 m² AFA | Amalgamation of shophouse units exceeding this AFA requires sprinklers | Cl.9.9.1f.(2) |
| Engineered timber building max habitable height without PB approach | 12 m | Engineered timber buildings; >12 m requires fire safety performance-based approach | Cl.9.9.5b.(2) |
| Engineered timber — healthcare occupancy max habitable height | 12 m | Healthcare occupancy in engineered timber building | Cl.9.9.5b.(1) |
| Mega underground development cavern compartment max area | 4,000 m² | Per cavern unit fire compartment | Cl.9.9.7c.(1) |
| Mega underground development cavern compartment max cubical extent | 15,000 m³ | Per cavern unit fire compartment | Cl.9.9.7c.(1) |
| Mega underground development element of structure min FRR | 4 hours | Each cavern unit compartment | Cl.9.9.7c.(3) |
| Mega underground development one-way travel distance | ≤20 m | From most remote point in cavern to fire door opening into protected corridor | Cl.9.9.7b.(4) |
| Mega underground development two-way travel distance | ≤50 m | Cavern unit two-way travel distance | Cl.9.9.7b.(4) |
| Protected corridor sector max length | 60 m | Mega underground development — protected corridor sector between fire doors | Cl.9.9.7b.(7) |
| Max cavern units per corridor sector | 4 cavern units | Mega underground development protected corridor sector | Cl.9.9.7b.(7) |
| Wet riser break tank (buildings under construction) | 11.5 m³ | Break tank when building reaches 60 m habitable height | Cl.9.9.3e.(1) |
| Min flow rate — topmost landing valve (wet riser, buildings under construction) | 27 L/s | Testing of wet riser system for building under construction | Cl.9.9.3e.(2) |
| Flammable refrigerant charge weight cap (domestic exempt use) | ≤150 g | Standalone domestic refrigerators/wall-mounted ACs using flammable refrigerants | Cl.9.9.6a.(2)(c) |
Interactive decision tree
Which special building category under Cl.9.9 applies?