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Under the Fire Safety Act 1993, any person who intends to carry out fire safety works in a building must first obtain approval of plans from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Fire safety works include:
- Any installation, addition, alteration, removal, or relocation of fire protection systems (e.g. hose reels, fire alarm panels, sprinklers, emergency exit signs, fire doors).
- Changes in the design or layout of spaces that affect escape routes, or works affecting fire compartments, including replacement of fire doors.
- Works involving combustible materials, air-conditioning or ventilation systems, or LPG delivery systems for non-residential use.
- Pipeline works for conveying petroleum or flammable materials.
- Change of use of a building or part of a building where the new use affects fire safety requirements (for example, converting an office to a childcare centre, or a shop to an eating establishment).
Plans must be prepared and submitted by a Qualified Person (QP) (a registered architect or professional engineer) on behalf of the building owner/occupier. If the proposal includes an alternative solution to the Fire Code, a fire safety engineer must prepare it and a separate peer reviewer must assess it.
Exemptions:
If the works fall under the Fire Safety (Exemption) Order, plan submission is exempted.
Alternatively, if the minor alterations or additions fall within "THE SCHEDULE Regulation 4(4) Minor Alterations or Additions Not Requiring Approval of Plans", the works may proceed after MAA lodgement submission.
In all other cases, plan approval from SCDF is required before works can begin.
If an applicant cannot ascertain the above, he is advised to approach SCDF for a free consultation.
SCDF provides fire safety consultations (e.g. phone, email and online) to QPs/owners. If required, face-to-face consultation will be available only by appointment. Each face-to-face consultation is limited to 4 visitors. To book a consultation appointment, visit the E-Services page.For information on qualified professionals, refer to the following:
QPs with the discipline relevant to the kind of work involved is qualified for making plan submission.
| S/N | Types of Works | Definition | Plan Fee |
| 1 | New fire safety works (SGFA) | Applicable to plans that contain any prescribed fire safety measure, where prescribed fire safety measure means: (a) an area of refuge; (b) an automatic fire alarm system; (c) an emergency voice communication system; (d) a Fire Command Centre; (e) a fire lift or fire escape bed lift; (f) a fire sprinkler or water mist system; (g) a pressurisation system; (h) a rising main or breeching inlet; (i) a smoke control system; or (j) a smoke-free approach to exit staircase or smoke-free lobby. | $160 for every 100 square metres (or part of 100 square metres) of floor area |
| 2 | New fire safety works (SGFA) | Applicable to plans that does not contain any prescribed fire safety measure. | $100 for every 100 square metres (or part of 100 square metres) of floor area |
| 3 | Amendment to approved Fire Safety works | Where the amendment does not result in increase in floor area. | $90/storey |
| 4 | Change of Use / Additions & Alterations to existing fire safety works | Where Change of Use / Additions & Alterations to existing fire safety works does not result in increase in floor area. | $90/storey |
| 5 | New / Additions & Alterations to Fire Protection (FP) works / Mechanical Ventilation (MV) works | Where works involves sprinklers, automatic detection, emergency voice communications, smoke control systems etc. | $90/storey |
Fire Safety Plans / Documents Search and Purchase
Overview
Need to access building records for your property? Our Plan Search service allows you to purchase records from our database.
Records You Can Purchase
- Building Plans
- Fire Protection Plans
- Mechanical Ventilation Plans
- Minor Additions/Alterations (MAA) Plans & Acceptance Letter
- Fire Safety Engineering Design Brief (FEDB)
- Notice of Approval
- Fire Safety Certificate (FSC)
- Waiver Decision Letter
Fees (Inclusive of 9% GST)
- Search Fee: $27.00 per SCDF Reference Number
- Copying Fee: $27.00 per SCDF Reference Number
- Copy of Notice/Certificate: $11.00 per copy
- Inspection Fee: $22.00 per SCDF Reference Number (if you require viewing before purchase)
Who Can Apply and Required Supporting Documents
a) Property Owners:
- Property tax statement, OR
- SLA Title Deed, OR
- MCST letter (with MCST letterhead)
b) Authorised Representative of the Property Owner:
- Property owner's authorisation letter, AND
- Property tax statement, OR SLA Title Deed, OR MCST letter (with MCST letterhead)
c) Tenant within the Property (with Property Owner's Authorisation):
- Property owner's authorisation letter, AND
- Tenancy agreement