New Requirement on Temporary Change of Use Permit (TP)

The new requirement for the application of Temporary Change of Use Permit (TP) for buildings with atrium spaces will be effected from 1 September 2009 onwards.
After 1 September 2009, if there are no additional fire safety measures being installed at atrium spaces for TP events to be held, the Temporary Change of Use Permit (TP) applications from building owners will not be granted.

For enquiries on the new requirements for the application of Temporary Change of Use Permit, please e-mail your Name, Organisation / Company, Contact Number and your enquiries here.

Definition & Purpose

Under the Fire Safety Act, anyone who intends to temporarily change the use of an area within a building or an outdoor area for the purpose of holding an event where temporary / makeshift structures are erected, is required to apply and obtain an approval from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The reason for this is to look into the fire safety aspects as a result of the setting up of the temporary structures, to provide for the safety of the public who will attend such events. The aim is to ensure that there are adequate fire safety measures provided for the event.

Therefore, a “Temporary Change of Use” application or commonly known as a Temporary Permit application has to be made to SCDF for approval for events such as:

1. Promotional Activities
2. Stage Shows
3. Exhibitions
4. Trade Fairs
5. Carnivals

where temporary structures such as those shown below or similar are erected:

1. Tents
2. Stages
3. Booths
4. Stalls / Kiosks

Type of Events

Please see below for a list of the type of events that are likely to require a “Temporary Change of Use” approval. Since such events are supposed to be temporary in nature, the duration will be limited to at most 2 months.

1. Promotional Activities
   - sales, product launch
2. Stage Shows
   - live concerts, circus, games shows, opening ceremonies
3. Trade fairs
   - trade fairs, "pasar malam", expositions
4. Carnivals
   - food & funfair, charity events, sporting events, celebratory functions
5. Exhibitions
   - art exhibitions, displays

Restrictions

Hazardous and toxic materials are not permitted in the event and so is the use of highly flammable liquids and gases. Multi-storey structures are also not allowed in such events. Covered pedestrian walkways are not recommended for the conduct of events because the free movement of the pedestrians will be obstructed. Such walkways include the building’s own walkway which is on the periphery of the building.

Organisers of events incorporating fire-based shows / activities or “open- flame” cooking activities or pyrotechnic displays, are required to consult Fire Safety & Shelter Department (FSSD) on the fire safety conditions and obtain separate approval prior to making their application.

Application Procedures

In making the applications, site / floor plans showing in colour the event’s location and the layout plans and cross-sectional diagrams of the temporary structures, showing the dimensions and the type of materials used, are to be submitted. All plans & drawings (in A4 size) must be sufficiently detailed. A brief description of the event’s activities is also required to enable SCDF to process the applications. All applications are to be submitted on per event basis, at least 10 days prior to the commencement of the event. The application fee per event is $50.

Events requiring an approval from SCDF can be generally categorised into 2 types:

1. Indoor events
2. Outdoor events

Indoor Events

Indoor events are held within a building and are to be confined to the public areas of the building designated for such purposes. These areas are to be protected by an automatic fire fighting sprinkler system. The building management is required to oversee the fire safety of any event held at its premises.

The main point to take note are that the building’s fire fighting and fire protection systems such as the sprinklers, hosereels, fire extinguishers, call points, etc are not blocked. The building’s escape passageways & corridors must not be obstructed. In cases where large crowds are expected to attend a particular event, proper crowd control measures are required to be put in place. The use of the building’s covered walkway is not recommended unless there is still a minimum 3m wide clear passageway left for the pedestrians. Please refer to "Temporary Change Of Use For Indoor Events" document for a more detailed list of the fire safety conditions for indoor events.

The building management is required to submit the application form Temporary Change of Use (Indoor Events) for approval. Applications are to be made on-line at least 10 days before the commencement of the event. For on-line application submission, please visit at this website: Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS).

Outdoor Events

Outdoor events are held in the open areas usually within tents. Outdoor events can be in many different types ranging from the ordinary “pasar malam” event to circus shows. They usually attract large crowds and have a wide variety of sub-events going on concurrently. The tent structures can also take different forms such as the unenclosed type to the fully enclosed air-conditioned type. Since tent set-ups are quite hazardous in terms of fire safety and also because of the large number of people likely to attend outdoor events, the fire safety precautions imposed have to be stringent. The main points to note are that the tents must be sited away from buildings and that there are wide escape passageways created within them. For enclosed tents, the event organizer is required to station trained to assist in emergency evacuation. Please refer to "Temporary Change Of Use For Outdoor Events" document for a more detailed list of the fire safety conditions for outdoor events.

Event organizers are required to obtain the approval of the landowner for the conduct of the event prior to making the application to SCDF. The organiser is required to submit the application form Temporary Change of Use (Outdoor Events) for approval together with the landowner’s authorization letter. Applications are to be made on-line at least 10 days before the commencement of the event. For on-line application submission, please visit at this website: Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS). In cases where the outdoor event is held within a building’s premises, the building management is required to make the application.

Events not requiring a "Temporary Change of Use" approval

Such an application is not required if the event is held at any of the following facilities or similar that is purpose-built for holding such events:

1. Exhibition hall / Convention hall / Multi-purpose hall
2. Auditorium / Concert hall / Theatre

In such cases, the events have to comply with the conditions issued by the venue operator which in turn are based on the fire safety conditions issued by the Fire Safety & Shelter Department (FSSD) of SCDF. However, the venue operator may still require the event organiser to obtain FSSD’s approval on the fire safety requirements if the need arises.

Religious and cultural functions or ceremonies including funerals and weddings, are excluded from this requirement provided that they are not combined with commercial activities. The erection of temporary decorations for festivals or for festive seasons such as for Chinese New Year, etc, is also exempted from this requirement. However, organizers of such events are required to pay careful attention to the fire safety aspects.

Other activities that do not require a temporary change of use approval by SCDF are:

1. Sports events which are held at fields of stadiums, school or clubs.
2. The erection of temporary advertisement panels / banners. However, clearance from FSSD may be required if the installation of the panels / banners, etc have implications on the fire safety of the building.

Organisers of fire-based acts performed on stages in purpose built facilities such as concert halls, theatres, etc, need not obtain approval from FSSD unless specifically requested by the building owner.

Fireworks / Pyrotechnics Displays

Event organizers who wish to execute fireworks / pyrotechnics are required to engage companies that are exempted under the Dangerous Fireworks (Exemption) Notification for the displays. Please see the "Approved Fireworks Companies" document for the list of the approved fireworks companies. These approved companies will provide advice on the type of fireworks / pyrotechnics that can be used, the type of locations / places where it can be discharged and the approved type of functions where such displays can be held. The company will have to make the application to SCDF on behalf the event organizer. Applications are to be made on-line at least 10 days before the commencement of the event. For on-line application submission, please visit at this website: Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS). The final approving authority for the fireworks / pyrotechnic display is the Singapore Police Force. The company will have to ensure compliance with the conditions given in the Exemption Notification for the display.

Temporary Multi-Storey Structures

Indoor multi-storey structures can only be constructed in purpose-built facilities such as exhibition halls. For such structures, the venue operator will have to ensure that the requirements given in the technical publication, “Safety and Operational Management Guidelines for Indoor Exhibitions by SPRING SINGAPORE”, are complied with. Please refer to the list of the fire safety conditions for indoor exhibitions. Venue operators are required to impose the conditions on the exhibitors and if need be the venue operator may require the event organiser to obtain FSSD’s approval. In such cases the exhibitor or event organiser is required to submit the application form Temporary Change of Use for approval. Applications are to be made on-line at least 10 days before the commencement of the event. For on-line application submission, please visit at this website: Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS).

Outdoor multi-storey structures for temporary events are considered on a case-to-case basis. Event operators are firstly required to obtain the approval or clearance of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for the erection of such a structure. Thereafter, the application to FSSD for approval is similar to that for an outdoor event. Please refer to the list of the fire safety conditions for temporary outdoor multi-storey structures.

Fire-Based Shows / Activities

Please see the "Fire Safety Conditions For Fire-Based Shows / Activities" document for a more detailed list of the fire safety conditions for fire-based shows / activities.