Monday, 30 July 2007
Amendments to FSM Scheme

In an effort to improve the FSM scheme, some changes have been made to the regulations since April 2007. The proposed changes were surfaced for public comments via the SCDF website; and their feedbacks were taken into consideration in the changes made to the regulations.

FSMs have undertaken additional roles in the current security climate such as implementing the Arson Prevention Plan and conducting table-top exercises. Under the amended scheme, these roles will be formalised. Also, there are approximately 4000 qualified FSMs in the scheme who have not been appointed as FSM. Hence, in order to ensure their knowledge and competency is kept current, all FSMs will be required to attend Continual Professional Development programmes before they can be appointed to undertake this appointment.

The key amendments to the FSM regulations are as follows:-

i. Mandatory for all FSMs to participate in Continual Professional Development (CPD) programme if they wish to be appointed as FSM

The CPD program has been instituted for FSMs to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to keep abreast with the new developments in the fire safety domain.

The CPD program may be organised by the SCDF or other organisations in the form of refresher courses, workshops, seminars or dialogues and briefings. However, such activities must be accredited by the SCDF and allocated with points.

All existing FSMs who may be appointed or not, must register with SCDF before the start of the first CPD cycle, on 01 January 2008, to become a certified FSM. The FSM will be issued with a Certification Letter to indicate the period of certification once he/she successfully completes the registration.

FSMs can register online at:
http://www.scdf.gov.sg/Building_Professionals/E_Services/index.html

Once certified, the FSM is required to participate in the CPD program, where they are required to accumulate a minimum 30 points within a 3-year period to remain as a certified FSM regardless of his appointment status.

At the end of the 3-year CPD cycle, FSMs will need to be re-certified. If they had not met the minimum requirements of 30 points within the 3-year cycle, their recertification will not be approved. They will be deregistered and not be certified for that coming cycle.

Building owners or occupiers are reminded that FSMs who are not certified will not be allowed to be appointed and practise as a FSM.

ii. Reduction of grace period for re-appointment of FSM from 44 days to ­14 days

The existing FSM Regulations allow a 44-day grace period for the owner or occupier of the designated building to appoint a new FSM to replace the one who has resigned. This results in a long lapse of time that a building is without a FSM to assist the owner with key fire safety functions. As the FSM plays a vital role in keeping a close watch on the safety of the building, it is important that a FSM is available at all times.

Therefore, the grace period for building owners or occupiers to re-appoint a FSM has been revised to 14 days.

iii. Expanding and formalising the duties of FSM to include Arson Prevention Plan (APP) and conduct of table-top exercises in addition to emergency drills

The role of the FSM has taken on a bigger dimension, in relation to today’s security climate. Since 2003, all FSMs are required to implement APP and conduct table-top exercises in addition to emergency drills. The objective of the APP is to enhance protection for the building’s fire safety systems against possible sabotage whilst table-top exercises enable members of the Fire Safety Committee to practice the procedures of dealing with emergencies.

Formalising these additional tasks ensures that necessary changes are carried out to improve the overall fire safety in the premises.

iv. Withdrawal of the minimum age criteria of 30 years for a person to be appointed as FSM

The existing regulations stipulate the minimum age criteria for a person to be appointed as an FSM as 30 years. However, on a case-by-case basis, SCDF had allowed FSMs below 30 years of age to be appointed predominantly because they possess the relevant qualifications and competencies. They have since proven themselves capable of discharging the duties of an FSM just as well as their older counterparts. Thus, under the amended regulations, the age criteria for appointment of FSMs will be removed.

Members of public who have further queries or clarifications to make on the amendments to the FSM Regulations may contact MAJ Winson Cheung at 6848 1433 or CPT George Chow at 6848 1459.

Annex A

Background information on the Fire Safety Manager (FSM) Scheme

With the passing of the Fire Safety Act in 1993 and the Fire Safety (Fire Safety Manager) Regulations in 1994, it has become mandatory for owners of designated buildings to appoint FSMs. All commercial and industrial buildings which satisfy at least one of the following conditions are required to have a FSM:

· Gross floor area of at least 5,000 square metres;
· Occupant load of at least 1,000 persons;
· High risk premises (e.g. hospitals or buildings involved in chemical and petrochemical activities.)

The FSM Scheme aims to ensure and enhance the fire safety standard within buildings. Through the FSM, fire safety activities and fire prevention measures are also implemented to promote fire safety awareness amongst building occupants.

Currently in Singapore, there are some 2000 buildings which are required to appoint FSMs. There are about another 4000 qualified FSMs who are non-practicing.