7f890194-c34d-4618-b2cf-3eb93cc70e2a.webp?sfvrsn=70038db4_2)
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 (https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/FSA1993-OR1?DocDate=20080602&ProvIds=Sc-#Sc).
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 (https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/109A-RG1?DocDate=20220518&ProvIds=Sc-#Sc- ).
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 make a consultation appointment, please visit SCDF E-Services page, Book Appointment.Click on the following links for:
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 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 Supporting Documents Required
- Property Owners
- Authorised Representative of the property owner
- Tenant within the property (with property owner's authorisation)
- Property tax statement, OR
- SLA Title Deed, OR
- MCST letter (with MCST letterhead)
- Property owner's authorisation letter, AND
- Property tax statement, OR SLA Title Deed, OR MCST letter (with MCST letterhead)
- Property owner's authorisation letter, AND
- Tenancy agreement
Authorisation Letter Template: https://go.gov.sg/scdf-plan-search-authorisation
Application Process
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Visit our online portal at https://eservices.scdf.gov.sg/fisops/plan-search to search for and select the records you need. You will receive an acknowledgment email if your application is submitted successfully.
Note:
(1) Only one address is allowed per application
(2) Only select records relevant to the address. Otherwise, the application will be rejected.
Step 2: Submit a) Your Supporting Documents; and b) Select the Types of Documents You wish to Purchase
In the acknowledgement email sent to you, you will find a link to submit your supporting documents. Please submit your supporting documents within 3 weeks of your application. Otherwise, application will be deemed null and void.
In the form, please indicate the type of documents you wish to purchase.
Step 3: We will Contact You to make Payment
If your submitted information is complete, we will contact you via email within 5 working days with document availability and payment instructions. Please follow the instructions to make payment within 3 weeks after we contact you. Otherwise, application will be deemed null and void.
Step 4: Receiving Your Documents
Once payment is verified, we will process your application and retrieve the requested documents. Once ready, we will send the documents to you digitally via Email or FileSG [1] (for larger file size).
Important Notes:
- Once payment is made, there will be no refunds provided
- Requested records may not be complete or available in our database
- Quality may vary depending on original storage conditions
- Records for individual units (e.g. apartments or office spaces) may not be available
Need Help?
For enquiries, please contact us via SCDF's online feedback form at www.scdf.gov.sg/home/feedback
[1] FileSG (https://www.file.gov.sg/) is a secure digital document management platform that allows members of the public to easily access and download documents issued by the government.