6.4.1 Provision
Amendment History
| 6.4.1 |
1 Sep 2021 |
1 Sep 2021 |
Clarification |
Provision The following shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system: a. Compartment size Whenever compartmentation requirements under Chapter 3 of this Code cannot be complied with. b. ……………. |
1 Sep 2021 |
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Every storey/room of a building, unless otherwise exempted by this Code, shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system under the following situations:
a. Compartment size
Whenever compartmentation requirements under Table 3.2A of Chapter 3 of this Code cannot be complied with.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1a. : Provision
The provision of automatic sprinkler system is required in residential buildings under PG II under the following conditions:
a. Compartmentation requirements under Chapter 3 of the Fire Code cannot be complied with, for example, a building exceeding 24m in habitable height having 3-levels maisonette or penthouse units, or
b. Residential apartment/maisonette or penthouse unit being located within a commercial tower block exceeding 24m in habitable height
Figure 6.4.1a. - 1 : Residential building exceeding 24m habitable height
Cl.3.2.4 permits only residential maisonette or penthouse to have maximum 2-storey levels above 24m habitable height. In designing 3 floors per unit, it would be contravening the compartmentation requirement under Table 3.2A. To overcome the problem, automatic sprinkler system should be provided to the whole building.
The provision of automatic sprinkler system is required in factory or warehouse under the following conditions:
(a) Compartmentation requirements under Chapter 3 of the Fire Code cannot be complied with, a building not exceeding 24m in habitable height having more than 3 –levels or excessive cubical extent or floor area.
(b) Engineered smoke control system is required to be installed.
(c) High bay storage warehouse
Cl.3.2.4a. permits max. 3 storeys to form a single compartment up to a habitable height of 24m. In designing more than 3 floors per compartment, it would be breaching the compartmentation requirement. To overcome the problem, automatic sprinkler system should be provided to the whole building. However, building owners are at liberty to provide the sprinkler system to their buildings as an added fire safety. The system could be used as a trade-off for extended travel distances.
No sprinkler system is required if all of the following is satisfied:
(a) habitable height < 24m
(b) compartment area < 4000m²
(c) cubical extent of each compartment < 15000m³
(d) not more than 3 storeys interconnected.
Figure 6.4.1a. - 2
Not more than 3 storey per compartment
Area of compartment < 4000m² & cubical extent < 15000m³
Figure 6.4.1a. - 3 : Floor area per compartment not exceeding 4000m2
Figure 6.4.1a. - 4 : Cubicle extent per compartment not exceeding 15000m3
b. Buildings other than PG I and II
Every storey of buildings of more than 24m in habitable height, except for PG I and II, regardless of whether the compartmentation requirements are complied with.
c. PG II mixed occupancy
(1) For PG II mixed occupancy buildings exceeding 24m in habitable height, the non-residential parts shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system if they:
(a) comprise more than one storey, or
(b) are located above the first storey.
(2) For PG II mixed occupancy buildings regardless of habitable height, the non-residential parts shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system if they are not compartmented from the basement storeys.
(3) For non-residential parts where sprinkler protection is not required under sub-clauses (1) & (2) above, an automatic fire alarm system shall be provided for the non-residential parts in accordance with Cl.6.3.1b.
Amendment History
| 6.4.1c. |
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1 Nov 2016, 1 Mar 2019 (revised portions) |
Extracted from SCDF's circular, revised |
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11 Aug 2016 |
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d. Basement
(1) All basement storeys irrespective of compartment size, except for those used as PG I or II, shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system. Where the upper storeys of the building are fully compartmented from the basement storeys, the requirement
for provision of an automatic sprinkler system for floors above the basement shall be considered separately and in accordance with Cl.6.4.1a.,
b. and c.
(2) Exemption
(a) Where the basement storey is effectively cross ventilated to prevent smoke logging, the basement storey can be exempted from providing an automatic sprinkler system.
(b) In the case of residential developments located over basement car parks, relaxation on the provision of these sprinkler system and smoke purging systems to the basement car park can be granted if all of the following conditions are met:
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Rationale - Clause 6.4.1d.(2)(b)
The ventilation openings provided at the basement car parks minimizes the risk of smoke-logged situation. These dimensions have been validated through a fire engineering study.
(i) The basement car parking shall consist of one level only.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(i) : Provision
(b)(i).tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=41abf710_1 "Fg.6.4.1d(2)(b)(i)")
Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(i)
Provision of sprinkler and smoke purging system in this situation can be exempted.
(ii) External openings shall be provided to achieve effective cross ventilation by means of evenly distributed vertical openings along the perimeter walls and evenly distributed voids over the basement in such manner that:
• no point within the basement is more than 12m from any vertical opening or void for spaces that are in between two openings or voids;
• no point shall be more than 6m from any opening or void for spaces that are ventilated by such opening or void on only one side; and
• such vertical openings shall be at least 600mm in height.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(ii) : Provision
(b)(ii).tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=8e9c327f_1 "Fg.6.4.1d(2)(b)(ii)")
Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(ii) : Ventilation openings to basement car park of residential buildings
1. Area between two voids/ vertical openings – no point within the basement is more than 12m from such voids/ openings.
2. When the opening or void is only on one side, no point shall be more than 6m from the edge of such opening or void.
3. The clear height (h) in Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(ii) of vertical openings, A & B, shall be at least 600mm in height.
4. The lesser of areas, A+B, or C, of the ventilation opening shall be considered as the effective area of ventilation.
(iii) The total aggregate area of these voids and vertical openings shall be not less than 20% of the total basement floor area.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(iii) : Provision
(b)(iii).tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a6d7b3c7_1 "Fg.6.4.1d(2)(b)(iii)")
Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(iii)
Total aggregate area of voids and vertical openings shall not be less than 20% of the floor area.
i.e. 20% of A > A1 + { lesser of (A2 + A3) or A6 } + A4 + A5
(where A is the area of basement, and A1 to A6 are areas of ventilation openings)
(iv) An automatic fire alarm system shall be provided for the basement car parks with extension of alarm bells to the common/lobby areas of the upper storeys in accordance with Cl.6.3.1a. and b.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(iv) : Provision
(b)(iv)-1.tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b21aa3f3_1 "Fg.6.4.1d(2)(b)(iv)-1")
Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(iv) - 1
Basement shall be provided with automatic fire alarm system. The alarm bells of the system shall be extended to the common / lobby areas of the upper storeys.
(b)(iv)-2.tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=c9e63e3_1 "Fg.6.4.1d(2)(b)(iv)-2")
Figure 6.4.1d.(2)(b)(iv) - 2
All basement storeys shall be provided with automatic sprinkler system irrespective of the compartment size.
(a) Floor area and cubical extent of each storey do not exceed 4000m² and 15000m³ respectively;
(b) Habitable height of the highest floor does not exceed 24m.
(c) Upper storeys are fully compartmented from the basement storey.
e. Atrium space
A fire sprinkler system shall be provided for an atrium space not exceeding 18m in height. For an atrium with ceiling height exceeding 18m (in whole or in part), water monitor, deluge and/or extended-throw sprinkler systems shall be provided to cover the entire atrium space.
Amendment History
| 6.4.1e. |
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01 Mar 2019 |
Revised, formerly Cl.6.4.1(e)(iii) |
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f. Exemption of sprinkler protection
(1) All of the following areas are exempted from sprinkler protection in a sprinkler-protected building:
(a) Covered areas
Areas which are covered with trellises, louvres or perforated panels, which have 50% or more evenly distributed effective free openings. An alarm sounder and visual alarm shall be provided near the exit staircase in accordance with SS 645.
(b) Areas under roof-mounted PV installations on non-habitable roof
Each sub-array of PV installation shall not exceed 5m in width, with maintenance aisle of minimum 400mm width in between the sub-arrays. Each sub-array shall be open-sided without any commercial activities or storage within these areas. The maximum dimensions of PV arrays shall be in accordance with Cl.10.2.1d..
(2) All of the following areas not located within PG VI or VIII buildings are exempted from sprinkler protection in a sprinkler-protected building:
(a) Canopies/car porches
(i) Such areas are to be used solely for the purpose of passengers pick-up and drop-off.
(ii) There shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas.
(iii) Cut-off sprinklers and fire-rated walls are not required to be provided to separate the sprinkler-protected and non-sprinkler-protected areas.
(b) External corridor
External corridors shall not exceed 4m in width, and there shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.1f.(2) : Provision
.tmb-firecode.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=2f1a6f6b_1 "Fg.6.4.1f(2)")
Figure 6.4.1f.(2)
The width of the external corridor shall not exceed 4m, measured from the external wall of the building to the edge of the roof cover of the corridor.
(c) External/open-sided linkways
External/open-sided linkways shall not exceed 5m in width, and there shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas.
(d) Open-to-sky roof gardens/terraces
Amendment History
| 6.4.1f.(4) |
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16 Jun 2016 |
Extracted from SCDF's circular |
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15 Dec 2015 |
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| 6.4.1f.(4) and (5) |
1 Sep 2021 |
1 Mar 2022 |
Revised/ Clarification |
Provision f. Exemption of sprinkler protection All of the following areas not located within PG VI or VIII buildings are exempted from sprinkler protection in a sprinkler-protected building: (1) Canopies/car porches (a) Such areas are to be used solely for the purpose of passengers pick-up and drop-off. (b) There shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas. (c) Cut-off sprinklers and fire-rated walls are not required to be provided to separate the sprinkler-protected and non-sprinkler-protected areas. (2) External corridor External corridors shall not exceed 4m in width, and there shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas. (3) External/open-sided linkways External/open-sided linkways shall not exceed 5m in width, and there shall be no commercial activities or storage within these areas. (4) Covered areas Areas which are covered with trellises, louvres or perforated panels, which have 50% or more evenly distributed effective free openings (applicable to all purpose groups). |
1 Sep 2021 |
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Open-to-sky roof gardens/terraces provided there are no covered commercial activities/spaces at the open-to-sky roof gardens/terraces. An alarm sounder and visual alarm shall be extended to the open-to-sky roof gardens/terraces and positioned near the exit staircase in accordance with SS 645.
6.4.2 Standard
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.2 : Standard
( No illustration )
(a) Sprinkler system to maisonette or apartment units under PG II is not a requirement. However, where basement car park cannot comply with the requirements of Cl.6.4.1 and Cl.3.2.5, sprinkler system shall be provided as illustrated under PG VIII.
(b) Building owners are also at liberty to provide the sprinkler system as an added fire safety. The system could be used as a trade-off for extended travel distances and other fire safety requirements at the discretion of the SCDF.
In view of other system not covered under SS CP 52 for example like Early Suppression Fast Response Sprinkler System could be adopted provided it is over and above the mentioned SS CP 52.
Installation of the sprinkler system and its associated water supply, and control and testing requirements shall comply with the SS CP 52.
6.4.3 System design
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.3 : System design
( No illustration )
Where the provision of the sprinkler system to a building is a requirement under the Fire Code or at the direction of the SCDF, the system shall be linked to an approved alarm monitoring company. All transmitting equipment shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. The transmitting equipment shall have at least the following features:
(a) Transmission of signal via “leased-line”
(b) Alternative transmission path via telephone which serve as back-up
(c) Indications for status of “leased-line”, phone line, system test, alarm, power supply, and unauthorised opening of the panel box
“Leased- line” shall be the primary means of signal transmission with an automatic switch over to normal telephone line upon leased-line failure. Refer to SS CP 10 for further references/details.
a. Connection to the SCDF Operations Centre
The sprinkler system shall be electrically monitored so that on the operation of any sprinkler head, the fire signal is automatically transmitted to a fire station through an approved alarm monitoring company.
b. Fire pumps
Installation of fire pumps for sprinkler systems shall comply with requirements of SS CP 52. Sprinkler pumps shall be installed within a fire compartmented fire pump room, whose fire rating shall be in accordance with Table 6.4a
. The sprinkler pump room floor level shall not be lower than the main floor level.
c. Sprinkler control valve
The sprinkler control valve(s) shall be located in one of the following areas:
(1) Facing an external space within a travel distance of 10m from entrance to the FCC.
(2) Within a fire lift lobby/smoke-free lobby.
(3) Within a sprinkler pump room.
(4) Within a 1-hr fire-rated enclosure, located at most 10m travel distance from the entrance to the exit staircase.
Amendment History
| 6.4.3c |
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01 Mar 2019 |
Revised, formerly Cl.6.4.3(b) |
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d. Location plan
A floor plan showing the locations of the sprinkler tank room, sprinkler pump room, breeching inlets and control valves shall be prominently displayed within the FCC. In the absence of the FCC, the floor plan shall be located in the following order of priority:
(1) within the guard house, or
(2) next to the main fire alarm panel.
Amendment History
| 6.4.3d |
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01 Mar 2019 |
New |
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6.4.4 Special purpose rooms
a. Where a building is required to be provided with an automatic sprinkler system under this Code, parts of the building which are used for purposes stipulated in Table 6.4A shall be compartmented in accordance with columns 3(a) and 3(b) of the table.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.4a. : Special purpose rooms
( No illustration )
Openings of these special purpose rooms for example lift motor room at the roof top need not to be provided with fire resistance door as stipulated in Table 6.4A. This arrangement is allowed only if the door is located at the external wall and opened directly to the exterior and subject to compliance with Cl.3.5 to be unprotected opening. In addition there is no possible fire risk to other room usage.
Compartmentation and door rating of the special purpose rooms shall not be less than the fire resistance of the elements of structure of the building where the room is located. For storeroom, kitchen, emergency lighting battery room and FCC, the fire
resistance for the compartment walls, floors/ceilings and doors shall have the min. periods specified in Table 6.4A.
b. Where a building is not required to be provided with an automatic sprinkler system under this Code, special purpose rooms stipulated in Table 6.4A
shall be compartmented in accordance with columns 2(a) and 2(b).
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.4b. : Special purpose rooms
( No illustration )
Columns 2(a) and 2(b) of Table 6.4A spell out the minimum periods of fire resistance rating for storeroom, kitchen, emergency lighting battery room and FCC. Actual period may be higher, and shall comply with the elements of structure of the building where the room is located.
c. For the protection of communication nerve centres, data process centres and process control rooms composing of high value computers or telecommunication equipment, if automatic sprinklers are to be replaced by an automatic fire extinguishing system,
the enclosure to the hazard or occupancy shall comply with the following:
(1) it shall be constructed to have 1-hr fire resistance rating;
(2) any door opening shall be protected with a 1-hr fire door;
(3) it shall not be provided with more than two exits;
(4) the direct travel distance to any exit door of the enclosure shall not exceed 15m; and
(5) the fire extinguishing system shall use clean agent and shall conform to Cl.6.5.2.
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Explanations & Illustrations
Clause 6.4.4c. : Special purpose rooms
Figure 6.4.4c.
Since the sprinkler heads in the room would be omitted, it is necessary to use the direct one-way travel distance requirement to limit the room size, hence the direct one-way travel distance of maximum 15m shall be strictly complied with.
6.4.5 Car park
Amendment History
| 6.4.5 |
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12 Dec 2013 |
Extracted from SCDF's circular |
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12 Dec 2013 |
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In multi-storey buildings under PG II to VIII with an aboveground car park, the provision of fire protection and smoke control systems for the car park shall be in accordance with Table 6.4B.
Water mist systems can be permitted as a substitute for automatic sprinklers in sprinkler-protected buildings, provided all of the following requirements are complied with:
a. The water mist system shall be of a propriety design that has been tested to meet the performance requirements of a standard acceptable to the SCDF.
b. The design and installation of water mist system shall conform to NFPA 750 or AS 4587.
c. The components of the water mist system shall be listed by a recognised testing laboratory.
6.4.7 Reduced water storage for automatic fire sprinkler system
Amendment History
| 6.4.7 |
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Immediate |
Relocated from Appendix 11 of Fire Code 2013 |
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This reduced water storage is only applicable to existing buildings of habitable height not exceeding 60m, and which have a hazard classification of Ordinary Hazard Group I, II or III under SS CP 52. It shall not apply to new buildings, any building housing storage risks and chemical processes.
a. Design considerations
(1) Tank sizing
The minimum water storage capacity of the sprinkler tank shall be capable of providing adequate water supply for 30 mins of the sprinkler pump operation.
(2) System with reliable inflow
For sprinkler systems with a constant reliable inflow from the town mains to replenish the sprinkler tank, the effective tank storage capacity for the various hazard categories shall be as follows:
| TABLE 6.4.7a.(2): EFFECTIVE TANK CAPACITY FOR RELIABLE INFLOW OF NOT LESS THAN 1.0m3/min, & WATER INLET POINT AT REDUCED LEVEL OF 125m OR BELOW
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| Occupancy group
| System demand**
| Minimum effective capacity of storage tank, or 30 mins’ storage, whichever is greater
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| OH1
| 540 L/min
| 12.5m3
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| OH2
| 1000 L/min
| 25.0m³ |
| OH3
| 1350 L/min
| 37.5m³
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Note: ** = the upper limit in column 6 of Table 17 of SS CP 52
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(3) System with unreliable inflow
For sprinkler systems with an unreliable inflow from the town mains to replenish the sprinkler tank, the effective tank storage capacity for the various hazards categories shall be as follows:
| TABLE 6.4.7a.(3): EFFECTIVE TANK CAPACITY FOR UNRELIABLE INFLOW OF LESS THAN 1.0m3/min, OR WATER INLET POINT AT REDUCED LEVEL GREATER THAN 125m
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|---|
| Occupancy group
| System demand**
| Minimum effective capacity of storage tank, or 30 mins’ storage, whichever is greater
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| OH1
| 540 L/min
| 16.2m3
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| OH2
| 1000 L/min
| 30.0m³ |
| OH3
| 1350 L/min
| 40.5m³
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Note: ** = the upper limit in column 6 of Table 17 of SS CP 52
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(4) Pipe sizing
Full hydraulic calculation methods shall be adopted for the design of the sprinkler system pipework. The sprinkler design must ensure that the flow does not exceed the system demand as stipulated in Table 6.4.7a.(2) and Table 6.4.7a.(3), throughout the installation. The flow and pressure limitations can be overcome by employing constant flow pressure reducing valves or by including orifice plates at connections to main distribution pipes.
b. Water supply
(1) Size of incoming mains
The pipe size of the replenishing water mains to the sprinkler storage tank shall not be less than 150mm in diameter. Hydrants, hose reels and external drenchers shall not be connected to the sprinkler system or draw from the sprinkler water supply.
(2) Inlets to storage tank
The inlets to the storage tank shall be fitted with a non-modulating type of pilot float valve listed by the authority having jurisdiction.
Amendment History
| 6.4.7.b(2) |
2 Dec 2019 |
Immediate |
Revised |
Water supply
(2) Inlets to storage tank
The inlets to the storage tank shall be fitted with a non-modulating type of pilot float valve listed by the SCDF.
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2 Dec 2019 |
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6.4.8 Combined firefighting water tank for sprinkler and wet riser systems
Amendment History
| 6.4.8 |
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Immediate |
Relocated from Appendix () of Fire Code 2013 |
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| 6.4.8 (dated 15 Sep 2020) |
15 Sep 2020 |
15 Sep 2020 |
Clarification |
Combined sprinkler and wet riser systems a. Combining sprinkler and wet riser systems is permitted for buildings of ordinary hazard category classification provided their designs comply with the provisions stipulated in SS CP 52 and SS 575 respectively. b. There is no necessity to cater for water storage for the sprinkler system’s demand separately. c. Pump sets shall be designed for the simultaneous operation of both the sprinkler and wet riser systems. d. The combined systems’ sprinkler riser and wet riser stacks shall not be interconnected by sprinkler system piping or a single riser that serves both systems. |
15 Sep 2020 |
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| 6.4.8.a |
2 Dec 2019 |
Immediate |
Clarifications |
Combined sprinkler and wet riser systems
a. Combining sprinkler and wet riser systems is permitted provided their design complies with the provisions stipulated in SS CP 52 and SS 575 respectively. |
2 Dec 2019 |
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a. Combining firefighting water tank for sprinkler and wet riser systems is permitted for buildings of ordinary hazard category classification provided their designs comply with the provisions stipulated in SS CP 52 and SS 575 respectively.
b. The water storage shall be based on the larger water storage demand of the systems.
c. Separate pump sets shall be provided to allow for the simultaneous operation of the sprinkler and wet riser systems.
d. The combined systems’ sprinkler riser and wet riser stacks shall not be interconnected by sprinkler system piping or a single riser that serves both systems.