Guidelines on the Use of Common Areas in HDB Estates

There are hundreds of fires at the common areas of HDB every year. Obstruction to common corridors and firefighting equipment (e.g. dry risers & hose reels) can seriously hamper firefighting efforts and smooth evacuation in a fire emergency, endangering your lives.

Town Councils are empowered under the Town Councils Act to enact by-laws to regulate the use of common areas. For Town Councils, this includes by-laws that prohibit the placement of objects that may cause obstruction at common areas.

Residents can play their part by cooperating with the Town Councils and following the fire safety guidelines to help create a safe living environment for all.

Guidelines on Usage of Common Corridor

To balance fire safety and practical needs, SCDF can allow placement of shoe racks and foldable clothing racks along the common corridors for practical reasons, provided;-

1. The shoe rack is for the sole purpose of keeping shoes.
2. A minimum clear escape passage of 1.2m* clearance is to be maintained along the common corridor (i.e. from the parapet wall to the shoe or movable clothing rack).
3. The clothing rack can be easily folded or removed in times of emergency so that they do not obstruct the escape route.
   

* The minimum unobstructed width of the corrider was increased from 1m to 1.2m after the revision of the Fire Code in 2013.

If Town Council allows placement of potted plants, it shall be ensured that the placement along the corridor are on the same side and a 1.2m clear escape passage is maintained.

Guidelines on Staircases and Its Landing

Strictly no placement/storage of objects at staircases and its immediate landing is allowed.

Guidelines on Maintenance of Fire Safety/Fighting Provisions

Fire safety/fighting provisions are to be regularly serviced to ensure its operational readiness at all times. Access to the fire safety/fighting provisions should remain unobstructed at all times.

1. No placement/storage of items within dry/wet riser compartment.
2. No placement/storage of items within hosereel compartment.
3. Access to dry/wet landing valves and dry/wet riser breeching inlet at common areas must not be obstructed. 
4. Lugs to the landing valves are to be checked regularly to ensure that it is present. If found to be missing, to replace the missing pieces immediately.
5. Fire Alarm System is to be switched "ON" and operationally ready at all times.
6. Smoke or heat detectors must be properly and regularly maintained.