Making Sure you’re home under Code
Smoke
detectors are mandatory for new homes at Singapore from June 2018. Confirming
this move for the first time since it was flagged by The Straits Times in
August, Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo said the smoke detectors
will provide residents with early alerts to smoke or fires. "Residents can
take steps to quell the fire and prevent it from spreading, or if that is not
possible, to quickly evacuate," said Mrs Teo, who is also Minister in the
Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Manpower. She was speaking at
the Fire Safety Asia Conference Singapore Nov, 2017.
For multi-storey
homes, each floor will need at least one device, and floors with combined
living and dining room spaces of more than 70sqm will require at least two.
Home owners can
install even more smoke detectors - but not in kitchens and toilets, where
smoke and steam from cooking or bathing could trigger false alarms.
Existing homes
that undergo fire safety works after June, such as renovations involving a
fire-rated door, will also have to follow the latest fire code and have smoke
detectors installed.
However, the Singapore Civil Defence Force
(SCDF) requires them to be compliant with either European, Australian or
American standards for fire alarms, it said in a press release yesterday.
The cost of installing the detectors in new
homes will be borne by developers, while owners of existing homes will have to
pay for them.
To help needy residents, SCDF, HDB and the
People's Association will install smoke detectors for about 50,000 households
in public rental flats for free, in phases.
Priority will be given to households with at
least one elderly person aged 60 and above.
Mrs Teo said the ageing demographic of
residents was an "important consideration" when updating the Fire
Code, which is currently in its seventh edition.
She encouraged existing home owners to also
install smoke detectors, even if they are not required to do so.
"HDB will be installing (smoke
detectors) in many of its ongoing public housing projects even though these new
projects al-ready have building plans sub-mitted before June 2018. I hope, of
course, that many private developers and existing home owners do
likewise."
One public housing project, Kampung
Admiralty, an integrated development for the elderly, already features fire
alarm devices connected to a central alarm system.
We all know that
having working fire/smoke detectors, alarms, and fire extinguishers in our
homes can prevent tragic loss and irreparable damage. The same holds true
for business facilities. However, the codes and standards for a commercial
space versus a home are different, and they can vary by jurisdictions as
well. According to the NFPA(National Fire Protection Association) codes are the rules
and standards are the method by which the rules are applied. There have
been major events in history that have triggered modifications to national fire
codes and standards. The Station Nightclub fire in West
Warwick, RI in 2003, and The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub fire of 1942 in
Boston, MA are a couple examples of why and how fire codes have changed
throughout the years.
If you are a
business owner, you know the importance of protecting your facility, employees,
and assets/inventory. How can you be sure your business meets the proper
fire safety codes? In all likelihood, if you’re currently in operation,
your building/facility has passed an initial inspection. However, yearly
inspections are required and codes are revised every 3-5 years. If
you are renovating or adding on to a space you will have to schedule a new
inspection. For this reason its best practice to involve an expert from
the start of a project to avoid any major hiccups.
You’ll need the
proper fire safety equipment which can include smoke detectors, fire alarms,
carbon monoxide detectors, and possibly a sprinkler system. Integrating
these features with your alarm system is crucial for a quicker response from
emergency services. Installing a wireless smoke detector that is not
connected to your alarm system doesn’t notify local services in the event of an
emergency. The only person that type of detector benefits is someone on
site or nearby during an emergency. What if no one is around?
Failure to comply
with the proper safety and code requirements can lead to inspection rejection
and fines. Some licensed professionals at market. They can
ensure the safety and code compliance of your business by installing the proper
fire safety equipment as part of a comprehensive business security
system. Please find out authorized team, they can guide you through the process from initial assessment to final
installation. You have enough on your mind already, let us help you avoid
mental anguish.
Reasons For Code
Non-Compliance:
·
Egress is not met.
This includes corridors, latching mechanisms, and access controls
·
Improper storage
of combustible materials
·
Inadequate
emergency lighting
·
Outdated fire
extinguishers and other safety equipment
·
Electrical issues
(i.e. improper use of extension cords)
·
Blocked access to
fire hydrants
·
Sprinkler system
isn’t labeled correctly
How Hiring A
Professional Can Help:
·
They know what
types of security equipment will work and comply with fire codes
·
They may already
have a relationship with the local fire official
·
They can
communicate technical information to contractors, architects, & engineers
·
They know how to
integrate fire alarms and smoke detectors in a comprehensive security system
·
They understand
the importance of code compliance and fire safety
·
They know how
egress can be affected by different access controls
·
They will help you
avoid penalties and failed inspections by implementing proper installation
The new code will also make it mandatory for
non-residential buildings with large unmanned premises, such as warehouses, to
have a video image fire detection system.
This smart system uses video analytics to
detect smoke or fire, allowing building owners and fire safety managers to
quickly confirm the presence and extent of a fire.