Fire Certificate

1. What is a Fire Certificate?
   
   A Fire Certificate is an annual certificate issued to a public building and to an industrial building. Under the Fire Safety Act Section 20, the owner or occupier of any public buildings such as offices, hospitals shopping complexes and industrial buildings that fall within the following criteria is required to apply and obtain a Fire Certificate :-
   
   (a) Public building
   has an occupant load of more than 200 persons

   (b) Industrial building
   i. has an occupant load of at least 1, 000 persons;
   ii. has a floor area or site area of at least 5, 000 square metres ; or iii. exceeds 24 metres in habitable height

2. What is the purpose of the fire certificate scheme?
   
   The Fire Certificate Scheme is to ensure that the fire protection systems and fire safety measures are properly maintained and in good working condition. They should be tested in accordance with the relevant codes of practice. In the event of outbreak of fire, if the fire protection system does not activate or function, fire may spread and cause serious injuries, fatalities and destruction to properties. Losses can be avoided if the fire protection system is activated and is able to function properly.
   
   
3. Who should apply for a fire certificate?
   
   The owner or occupier of a public or industrial building is required to apply for a fire certificate. The owner or occupier may engage the property agent, Fire Safety Manager (FSM), contractor or Professional Engineer to submit the application on his behalf.
   
   
4. When should I apply for a fire certificate?
   
   The fire certificate must be obtained within twelve months from the date of the Temporary Fire Permit (TFP) / Fire Safety Certificate (FSC), whichever is first obtained. The fire certificate is valid for one year and subjected to yearly renewal.
   
   
5. What should I do before making an application?
   
   You should engage a Professional Engineer to carry out the testing of the fire protection system and fire safety measures in the building before making an application. The Professional Engineer has to ensure that the systems are maintained and in working condition. You should also ensure that there is no existence of fire hazards in the building.
   
   
6. How do I make an application?
   
   You must submit the following:

   a. Application Form FSSD FC – 01.

   b. Certificate of Maintenance by Professional Engineer Form FSSD FC – 02.

   c. Duties of Owner/Occupier of Specified Premises Form FSSD FC – 03.

   d. Prescribe fees should be paid. The prescribe fee for the application of a fire certificate is $30/= per storey.

7. What are the items being checked during a Building Inspection?
   
   Some examples of the items to be checked are listed below :

   Emergency power supply
   Sprinkler system
   Fire alarm system
   Wet riser
   Dry riser
   Lift
   Pressurisation system
   Atrium smoke control system
   Mechanical ventilation for basement
   Air-conditioning system
   Voice communication system
   Fire Command Centre

8. What is the penalty for failing to comply with requirements?

   Under the Fire Safety (Building Fire Safety) Regulations 1994, any person who –

   a. without lawful excuse refuses or neglects to do anything which he/she is required to do;

   b. without lawful excuse fails to comply with the requirements of any notice serve on him;

   c. without lawful excuse acts in contravention of or fails to comply with any provision; shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

9. Under what circumstances may the fire certificate be revoked?

   The Commissioner of SCDF may revoke any Fire Certificate where there is :-

• a breach of any term and condition of the certificate;
  
• any misrepresentation of a material fact in the application for the fire certificate or accompanying plans or documents upon the basis of which the certificate was issued or renewed; or
  
• knowledge that the fire hazards within the building or part thereof, for which the fire certificate was issued or renewed, have increased without adequate fire safety measures being taken to the satisfaction of the Commissioner.