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
Warehouse compartment size triggers full compliance with Cl.9.8.3 for aboveground warehouses >700 m² and basements >100 m²; compliance includes sprinkler, smoke control, and storage height controls.
CriticalCl.9.8.1b.(2)Chemical/HazMat warehouse: compartment walls must be ≥2-hr FRR regardless of fire protection system; Class 3 HazMat requires masonry construction; no basement storage of hazardous materials.
CriticalCl.9.8.4c, Table 9.8GSingle-storey warehouse max compartment: 12,000 m² (sprinkler, all hazards); 3,000 m² (non-sprinkler, normal hazard); 2,000 m² (non-sprinkler, high hazard). Max storage height: 18 m (sprinkler single-storey).
CriticalTable 9.8AEngineered smoke control system is required for aboveground warehouse compartments >5,000 m² or underground warehouse compartments >2,000 m².
CriticalCl.9.8.3e.(4)Cold rooms: non-sprinkler-protected buildings with aggregate cold room area >10 m² require 1-hr outer compartment; max aggregate ≤100 m² per compartment. Sprinkler-protected threshold is >20 m² trigger, max 700 m² aggregate per compartment.
CriticalCl.9.8.2aCategory 2 and 3 FAMCPs are subject to Fire Certificate scheme. A-FAMCPs and U-FAMCPs must be protected by sprinklers or clean agent fire extinguishing systems.
CriticalCl.9.8.5f, Cl.9.8.5gStorage height signs must be posted at intervals ≤15 m on warehouse walls; red line drawn at no-storage line with lettering ≥100 mm.
ImportantCl.9.8.3d
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-storey warehouse max compartment (sprinkler-protected, all hazards) | 12,000 m² | Sprinkler-protected single-storey warehouse | Table 9.8A |
| Single-storey warehouse max compartment (non-sprinkler, normal hazard) | 3,000 m² | Non-sprinkler-protected, normal storage hazard | Table 9.8A |
| Single-storey warehouse max compartment (non-sprinkler, high hazard) | 2,000 m² | Non-sprinkler-protected, high storage hazard | Table 9.8A |
| Basement warehouse max compartment (sprinkler only, non-sprinkler not permitted) | 3,000 m² | Sprinkler-protected basement warehouse | Table 9.8A |
| Max storage height — single-storey sprinkler-protected warehouse | 18 m | Single-storey sprinkler-protected warehouse | Table 9.8A |
| Max storage height — non-sprinkler-protected warehouse (transient/staging) | 2.5 m | Non-sprinkler-protected warehouse loading/unloading area | Cl.9.8.3d.(5) |
| Engineered smoke control threshold — aboveground warehouse | >5,000 m² | Aboveground sprinkler-protected warehouse compartment | Cl.9.8.3e.(4)(a) |
| Engineered smoke control threshold — underground warehouse | >2,000 m² | Underground (basement) warehouse compartment | Cl.9.8.3e.(4)(a) |
| Cold room aggregate area — non-sprinkler outer compartment trigger | >10 m² | Non-sprinkler-protected buildings with combustible cold room panels | Cl.9.8.2a.(1) |
| Cold room max aggregate area per compartment (non-sprinkler) | 100 m² | Non-sprinkler-protected, combustible cold room panels | Cl.9.8.2a.(1) |
| Cold room max aggregate area per compartment (sprinkler) | 700 m² | Sprinkler-protected, combustible cold room panels | Cl.9.8.2a.(2) |
| SA-FAMCP (Cat 1) max floor area | 200 m² (total car parking decks) | Category 1a/1b small aboveground FAMCP | Cl.9.8.5c.(1)–(2) |
| SA-FAMCP (Cat 1) max cubical extent | 1,400 m³ | Category 1 FAMCP | Cl.9.8.5c.(1) |
| U-FAMCP (Cat 3) max parking depth | 28 m | Underground FAMCP | Table 9.8.5g.(1) |
| U-FAMCP (Cat 3) max floor area | 2,000 m² (total car parking decks) | Underground FAMCP per compartment | Table 9.8.5g.(1) |
| Max AFA for single-staircase warehouse floor | 200 m² | Single exit staircase, aboveground warehouse floor | Cl.9.8.1a.(1)(c) |
Interactive decision tree
What type of PG VIII storage/general use is being assessed?