Update 1:

Event organisers/vendors/ individual applicants intending to hold an indoor event at Shopping Malls, such as a stage show, exhibition, trade fair, food fair, etc. is to obtain the Temporary Change of Use permit (TP) approval from SCDF.

In the continual effort to create a pro-enterprise environment, simplifying the TP application processing/approving, SCDF has reviewed the TP approval for events held within Shopping Malls.

Since 20 April 2016, SCDF has issued the TP approvals directly to the shopping malls’ managements or MCSTs for the temporary events held within the mall premises.

Hence, with this implementation, event organisers / vendors / individual applicants are not required to apply directly to SCDF for the Temporary Change of Use permit (TP) application. They can approach and liaise directly with the Mall’s management and MCST for the approvals.

For enquiries, please contact the following officers :

Update 2

Currently, any building management intending to temporarily change the use of part of its building for holding an indoor event such as a stage show, exhibition, trade fair, food fair, etc. is to obtain an approval from SCDF.  These are commonly known as Temporary Permit (TP) applications.  In the continual effort to create a pro-enterprise environment, simplifying the TP application processing/approving, and meet the demand of the public for fast TP clearance, SCDF has reviewed the TP approval for Shopping Malls.

From 20 April 2016 onwards, SCDF would issue the TP for temporary change of use events in the form of bundle approval of up to 2 months to the shopping malls’ managements or MCSTs. This bundle approval applies only to temporary events and pushcart stalls held at indoor atriums and designated event spaces within the shopping malls. For instance, this single TP approval can cover various events that take place concurrently in the mall within the approved 2-month period.

However, such approval will only be considered / continued if there is no fire safety infringement being found for the temporary events to be held at the shopping mall premises.

To-date, the identified list of shopping malls listed below can approach/apply to SCDF for bundle TP approval (instead of basing on the current practice of individual event-base) which will save them time and cost. The shopping malls’ managements or MCSTs can contact the following officers for the application/details :

Click here for the list of shopping malls.

Please see below for a list of the type of events that are likely to require a "Temporary Change of Use" approval. Since such events are supposed to be temporary in nature, the duration will be limited to at most 2 months.

Hazardous and toxic materials are not permitted in the event and so is the use of highly flammable liquids and gases. Multi-storey structures are also not allowed in such events. Covered pedestrian walkways are not recommended for the conduct of events because the free movement of the pedestrians will be obstructed.

In making the applications, site / floor plans showing in colour the event's location and the layout plans and cross-sectional diagrams of the temporary structures, showing the dimensions, are to be submitted. All plans & drawings (in A4 size) must be sufficiently detailed. A brief description of the event's activities is also required to enable SCDF to process the applications. Event organizers are required to obtain the approval of the landowner for the conduct of the event prior to making the application to SCDF. The organiser is required to submit the application form Temporary Change of Use (Outdoor Events) for approval together with the landowner's authorization letter. All applications are to be submitted on per event basis, at least 7 days prior to the commencement of the event. The application fee per event is $60. 

For the application of temporary change of use permit, please visit GoBusiness Dashboard at https://dashboard.gobusiness.gov.sg/login and login.

Application of Temporary Change Of Use Permit

Please see the step-by-step guide below to login at GoBusiness Dashboard for the application of temporary change of use permit.

Once login, click on “Dashboard” tab, followed by “Find Licence”

Click on “Singapore Civil Defence Force”

Look for the licence you wish to apply then select “Apply”

Click “Apply” to start the online application and proceed through the application process

Sample

Should you have any further query, please contact the technical team at +65 6336 3373, or email at AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg.

GoBusiness e-Services Helpdesk Operating Hours

Mondays to Fridays: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturdays: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Excluding Sundays and Public Holidays

Retrieval of Approval Letter for Temporary Change Of Use Permit

Please see the step-by-step guide below to login at GoBusiness Dashboard to retrieve a copy of Approval Letter for Temporary Change of Use Permit once the application has been approved.

Please visit GoBusiness Dashboard at https://dashboard.gobusiness.gov.sg/login and login.

Once login, click on “Licences” tab, followed by “Download” as shown below.

Sample

Should you have any further query, please call us at +65 6336 3373, or email at AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg.

GoBusiness e-Services Helpdesk Operating Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
(Except Sunday and Public Holiday)

Indoor events are held within a building and are to be confined to the designated event spaces for such purposes. These areas are to be protected by an automatic fire fighting sprinkler system. The Fire Safety Manager and the building management are required to oversee the fire safety aspects of any event held at its premises.

 

The main point to take note are that the building?s fire fighting and fire protection systems such as the sprinklers, hosereels, fire extinguishers, call points, etc shall not be obstructed. The building?s escape passageways and corridors must not be obstructed. In cases where large crowds are expected to attend a particular event, proper crowd control measures are required to be put in place. The use of the building?s covered walkway is not recommended unless there is a minimum 3m wide clear passageway left for the pedestrians. Please refer to the attachment file listed below for the fire safety conditions.

 

The building management is required to submit the application form Temporary Change of Use (Indoor Events) for approval.

Outdoor events are held in the open areas usually within tents. Outdoor events can be in many different types ranging from the ordinary "pasar malam" event to circus shows. They usually attract large crowds and have a wide variety of sub-events going on concurrently. The tent structures can also take different forms such as the unenclosed type to the fully enclosed air-conditioned type. Since tent set-ups are quite hazardous in terms of fire safety and also because of the large number of people likely to attend outdoor events, the fire safety precautions imposed have to be stringent. The main points to note are that the tents must be sited away from buildings and that there are adequate escape passageways created within them. For enclosed tents, the event organizer is required to station trained personnel to assist in emergency evacuation. Please refer to the attachment file listed below for the fire safety conditions.

Indoor multi-storey and enclosed structures can only be constructed in purpose-built facilities such as exhibition halls. For such structures, the venue operator will have to ensure that the requirements given in the technical publication, SS539  -  "Safety and Operational  Management Guidelines for Indoor Exhibitions by SPRING SINGAPORE", are complied with.

Use of inflatable structures for temporary events are considered on a case-to-case basis. Event operators are firstly required to obtain the approval or clearance of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for the erection of such a structure. Thereafter, the application to FSSD for approval is similar to that for an outdoor event. Please refer to  the attachment below for the fire safety conditions.

Application is not required for the following events :

Organisers of indoor fire-based performances and demonstrations performed on stages in purpose built facilities such as concert halls, theatres, etc, need not obtain approval from SCDF unless specifically requested by the building owner. For outdoor fire-based performances and demonstrations, the event organiser is required to obtain SCDF's approval on the fire safety requirements. Please refer to the attachment file listed below for the fire safety conditions.

For enquiries on online submission process, please contact GoBusiness Helpdesk at 6336 3373 or email at AskGoBiz@crimsonlogic.com.sg.