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Under the Fire Safety Act 1993 and the Fire Safety (Building and Pipeline Fire Safety) Regulations, any person changing the use of premises must obtain approval from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). This typically requires submission of fire safety works plans by a qualified person (QP) – a registered architect or professional engineer – before implementing the change. Upon completion of fire safety works, a fire safety certificate (FSC) or temporary fire permit (TFP) from SCDF must be obtained.

To support businesses in Singapore, SCDF offers a streamlined process for temporary changes of use. If the change is temporary (maximum 60 days) and involves stage shows, promotional activities, exhibitions, trade fairs, or carnivals, a temporary change of use permit (TCOUP) is required, along with full compliance with the permit’s fire safety conditions.​ This exempts such events from both plan submission requirements via the CORENET e-Submission System and FSC/TFP requirements.

The TCOUP ensures adequate fire safety measures at event sites for the safety of the public, including participants and patrons, as temporary setups typically increase fire load.​ Key fire safety conditions that must be complied with include:

• ​​All waiver conditions, if any, granted in the approved SCDF plan must be strictly observed throughout the duration of the event. This is in addition to full compliance with the relevant fire safety conditions for TCOUP.
• Events under SCDF TCOUP must not exceed 60 days (events exceeding this duration cannot use multiple TCOUP applications and must instead follow the standard process requiring plan submission and FSC/TFP​).
• Fire engine accessways (fire engine hardstanding) and fire engine access roads must remain unobstructed at all times.
• Open-flame activities (such as the use of blow torches) are prohibited​.
• Booth height must not exceed 3 metres.
• Each row of booths must not exceed 15 metres in length and 6 metres in width​.
• Clear passageways of at least 1.2 metres must be maintained between booth rows​.
• All escape routes must remain unobstructed​ at all times.
• Class ‘AB’ portable fire extinguishers must be prominently displayed within tentage at 15-metre intervals for ease of use during emergencies.
• Areas that may adversely affect evacuation (such as areas designed using high occupant load factors based on the prevailing Fire Code, e.g., indoor car parks and storage areas) are not permitted for events.

Please refer to the 'List of Fire Safety Conditions' tab below for the complete list of fire safety conditions that must be complied with for your specific event type. Non-compliance with any fire safety condition will result in enforcement actions by SCDF, including fines and court prosecution.

Important Note: Instead of requiring a TCOUP, newly erected/added/altered buildings or multi-storey structures (including those with mezzanines), containers, and outdoor refreshment areas (ORA) require standard plan submission to SCDF by a QP via CORENET e-Submission System and an FSC/TFP, regardless of duration.

The table below outlines the five categories of purposes covered under the TCOUP, along with their definitions and examples.

These categories encompass the range of temporary activities that may qualify for streamlined approval under the TCOUP framework, provided they meet the duration and safety requirements outlined in the permit conditions.

The following scenarios do not require a TCOUP application:

• Events held within building areas that already possess a fire safety certificate (FSC) for such activities, including multi-purpose halls, exhibition halls, auditoriums, concert halls, and theatres. These venues have been specifically designed, approved, and certified for hosting events, meaning no change of use occurs. However, if the event setup adversely affects the evacuation routes (e.g., the erection of a mezzanine structure), then both plan submission and FSC are required.
• ​​Temporary events relating to religious practice, such as funerals and weddings, conducted at open fields (away from buildings) or HDB void decks do not require TCOUP. However, organisers must comply with the relevant fire safety guidelines for such events, which can be found under the ‘List of Fire Safety Conditions’ section below.
• ​Fire-based performances or activities conducted in fully open-to-sky areas and away from buildings do not require TCOUP. Instead, organisers should adhere to the applicable fire safety guidelines for such events, accessible under the ‘List of Fire Safety Conditions’ section below. ​
• Events or activities held at fully open-to-sky outdoor locations using only basic setups, i.e., a single table, booth, stall, or kiosk, without any tentage installation do not require TCOUP. Similarly, placement of banners or advertisements backdrops does not require a TCOUP, provided they do not obstruct evacuation routes or interfere with their ventilation provision (such as blocking openings that provide natural ventilation in exit staircases).
• ​Fireworks or pyrotechnics displays do not require TCOUP from SCDF. However, these activities may require separate approval or clearance from the Singapore Police Force — please verify requirements directly with the Singapore Police Force.​

Indoor events are those situated or conducted within a building or under permanent shelter.​ When applying for a TCOUP through the GoBusiness System, please select ‘indoor event’ for such activities.

Outdoor events are those situated or conducted outside buildings in fully open-to-sky locations.​ When applying for a TCOUP through the GoBusiness System, please select ‘outdoor event’ for such activities.

The responsible party – such as the building or land owner, event organiser, or event vendor – must apply for the TCOUP via the GoBusiness website at Temporary Change of Use Permit | Licence & Accreditation – GoBusiness. Approval must be secured before commencing event setup. SCDF will provide a decision on the application within three working days of submission. In other words, ​the application must be submitted at least three working days before the temporary event begins.

Required Documentation: To ensure timely approval of your TCOUP application, please ensure that all the following documents are accurate, complete and uploaded before submission:

1. Owner Approval Letter: A letter from the land owner or premises owner confirming approval for the event, specifying the event title, duration, and location.​

2. Site and Layout Plan: A site and event/floor layout plan endorsed by the land owner or premises owner, clearly indicating the event title, duration, and location.​

3. Site Photographs: Current photographs of the event location, including actual site setup from previous events where available.​

Incomplete documentation may delay the approval process, so please ensure all required materials are provided with your initial submission.

Step-by-step guide to applying for and retrieving SCDF Temporary Change of Use Permit

.PDF,

653.01KB

All fire safety conditions must be adhered to throughout the entire duration of your temporary event. Please refer to the 'List of Fire Safety Conditions' section below to access the complete list of fire safety conditions applicable to your specific event type.

Important Note on Compliance: TCOUP approvals are granted based on the applicant's declaration of compliance with fire safety requirements, including all relevant fire safety conditions for both submitted documentation and the actual onsite event. Obtaining a TCOUP with submitted documents that do not comply with fire safety conditions does not exempt applicants from meeting these requirements. This streamlined process has been designed to support businesses by reducing regulatory processing time whilst maintaining fire safety standards.

Enforcement and Accountability: The TCOUP approval process operates on a trust-based system to facilitate business operations. However, any subsequent detection by SCDF of false declarations, incorrect submitted documents, non-compliant documentation, or fire safety violations at the actual event will result in appropriate enforcement actions, including fines and court prosecution.

The application fee for each TCOUP is S$60. This fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including application rejections or revocations, duplicate submissions, or event cancellations.

For enquiries about TCOUP matters, please submit your questions via: https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/feedback. ​

​When completing the feedback form, please select the following options in sequence:

1. ‘None of the above ie. Feedback related to SCDF Matters (Proceed to submit other feedback)’
2. ‘4) Fire Safety Matters’
3. ‘Fire Safety Related Permit / Certificate’
4. ‘Temporary Change of Use Permit’

This will ensure your enquiry is directed to the appropriate team for prompt assistance.

For technical assistance with GoBusiness website applications, please contact the GoBusiness Helpdesk:

Phone: +65 6336 3373

Email: AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg

Operating Hours:

Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Closed on weekends and public holidays