Proposed Changes to Fire Safety Act (2019)

[Carbon82]

I hope this move can aid in having more enforcement check, nail down violators to the Fire Safety Act and Fire Code, and indirectly saving more lives.  

 

SCDF can appoint third parties to conduct checks under proposed changes to Fire Safety Act

 

 

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) can soon appoint authorised third parties to conduct routine fire safety enforcement checks and building inspections under proposed amendments to the Fire Safety Act introduced in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).

 

The move will enable SCDF to better utilise its resources and allow officers to focus on "more complex" enforcement inspections, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a press release.

 

In order to regulate their operations, these third parties will be required to don body-worn cameras during inspections. They will also be subject to routine checks by the SCDF. 

 

Under the new amendments, the SCDF will also be able to compel building owners to install critical fire safety upgrades, such as fire alarm systems and fire hose reels, if they are deemed necessary for public safety. 

 

The SCDF regularly reviews the fire code, which specifies fire safety standards for buildings. However, changes to the code only apply to new buildings, and to existing ones that undergo addition and alteration works. 

 

There are currently no measures to mandate owners of existing buildings which have not undergone any addition and alteration works to install the latest fire safety measures.

 

"In exercising this mandate, SCDF will adopt a judicious, risk-based approach in identifying buildings for fire safety upgrades," said MHA. "For example, relevant considerations include the buildings’ fire risk profile, based on factors such as building age, purpose and the profile of its occupants."

 

STRICTER REGULATIONS

 

There will also be harsher penalties for five offences under the Fire Safety Act. 

 

These offences mainly involve the unauthorised change of use of premises which could cause the existing fire safety measures to become inadequate, as well as instances where industry professionals such as registered inspectors do not responsibly supervise and certify fire safety works.

 

The penalty for the unauthorised change of use of premises will be raised from a maximum fine of S$10,000 to S$200,000 and/or up to two years’ jail. 

 

The penalty for the failure of an appointed Qualified Person to supervise fire safety works will also be raised from a maximum fine of S$10,000 and six months’ jail, to a maximum fine of S$200,000 and/or up to two years’ jail. 

 

In addition, SCDF’s enforcement and investigative powers will be enhanced to hold responsible those who flout fire safety rules.

 

Currently, when dealing with fire hazards, SCDF must first issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice and can only take action against the errant parties if they fail to comply with the Notice.  

 

But as some fire hazards may pose "serious and significant" fire safety risks, SCDF will have the option to immediately prosecute culpable parties. Its officers will also be able to investigate suspects for fire safety violations, and take statements when there is reasonable suspicion of an offence. 

 

The Bill will also allow SCDF officers to enter any premises that may have evidence of fire safety offences.

 

Said MHA: "While the number of fire incidents in Singapore has remained stable and our fire fatality rates are low, we must periodically review and update our fire safety regulations, so that they continue to remain robust and relevant, and we can effectively respond to new and evolving fire safety risks and challenges."

 

[Sosaria]

Again this trend of subcon to "accredited 3rd party", so who checks the subcons?

[Tohto]

@carbon82 you can sub-contract the jobs, that is your expertise.

[Atonchia]

This type is more like creating 2nd career path for retired or retiring firemen or SCDF ops staff.

 

Cannot be at front line but have knowledge and experience for inspection.

[Knoobie]

so.. will there be more con man knocking on doors say they are endorsed by SCDF to conduct fire checks?

[Kusje]

More outsourcing ah.

 

Oursource their responsibility also.

[Carbon82]

@carbon82 you can sub-contract the jobs, that is your expertise.

 

I'm indeed excited for a short while (just a couple of seconds) when reading the news. This is meant for retired SCDF, SAF, SPF personnel it seems...

This type is more like creating 2nd career path for retired or retiring firemen or SCDF ops staff.

 

Cannot be at front line but have knowledge and experience for inspection.

 

Part of the plan to raise retirement age, as well as re-employment age for the seniors. We are becoming like Japanese, where employee get to be re-employed and placed in other non front line / operation roles. 

Again this trend of subcon to "accredited 3rd party", so who checks the subcons?

 

Fundamentally, nothing wrong with sub-contracting, BUT the way it is to be managed.

 

Sub-contracting model allows better allocation of resources, and supposedly better cost efficiency, provided the contract owner know how to manage these 3rd parties.

[Soya]

Again this trend of subcon to "accredited 3rd party", so who checks the subcons?

SCDF instead of being the one stop authority in ensuring fire safety now becomes a main con n sub to the 'accredited 3rd party', who will then probably sub or sub sub to others to rubber stamp

 

Yay...we can all now sleep soundly at night

[Carbon82]

so.. will there be more con man knocking on doors say they are endorsed by SCDF to conduct fire checks?

 

The outsourcing of inspection are targeted more at industrial / commercial building, and the appointed inspector has to carry identification, PLUS a cam recorder, which is an additional safe guard for both the owner/landlord, as well as the inspector.

SCDF instead of being the one stop authority in ensuring fire safety now becomes a main con n sub to the 'accredited 3rd party', who will then probably sub or sub sub to others to rubber stamp

 

Yay...we can all now sleep soundly at night

 

As I have mentioned earlier, it is how SCDF is going to manage these outsourced inspectors.

 

About 20 years back, SCDF has a testing and evaluation division, dealing with testing and certification of fire-rated doors. Then they decided to outsource it to SISIR (predecessor of PSB), and redeploy their resources on fire engineering research and developing new guidelines (come out with Fire Code and such). Not a bad thing actually.

[Soya]

The outsourcing of inspection are targeted more at industrial / commercial building, and the appointed inspector has to carry identification, PLUS a cam recorder, which is an additional safe guard for both the owner/landlord, as well as the inspector.

 

 

As I have mentioned earlier, it is how SCDF is going to manage these outsourced inspectors.

 

About 20 years back, SCDF has a testing and evaluation division, dealing with testing and certification of fire-rated doors. Then they decided to outsource it to SISIR (predecessor of PSB), and redeploy their resources on fire engineering research and developing new guidelines (come out with Fire Code and such). Not a bad thing actually.

As long as the authorities manage and control these tightly in-house, I tink we're ok

 

But when they start to act like main con n start to sub out statutory responsibilities to 3rd party vendors who work on a lowest overhead, max-profit model, it's a different story liao

[Mustank]

Pmd

[Inlinefour]

Pmd

 

tom cruise set it to auto self destruction for mission impossible 

 

eScooter rider never read manual 

[Victor68]

Certification authority must be held responsible regardless how they sub out the job. They are the one that recognise who is authorised on behalf of them to check, then they have to be responsible for their performance. 

 

The announcement will be implemented,  it is just to give you advance notice. So, it is important that the basis is clearly defined. 

[Fuelsaver]

 

I hope this move can aid in having more enforcement check, nail down violators to the Fire Safety Act and Fire Code, and indirectly saving more lives.

 

SCDF can appoint third parties to conduct checks under proposed changes to Fire Safety Act

 

 

 

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) can soon appoint authorised third parties to conduct routine fire safety enforcement checks and building inspections under proposed amendments to the Fire Safety Act introduced in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).

 

The move will enable SCDF to better utilise its resources and allow officers to focus on "more complex" enforcement inspections, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a press release.

 

In order to regulate their operations, these third parties will be required to don body-worn cameras during inspections. They will also be subject to routine checks by the SCDF.

 

Under the new amendments, the SCDF will also be able to compel building owners to install critical fire safety upgrades, such as fire alarm systems and fire hose reels, if they are deemed necessary for public safety.

 

The SCDF regularly reviews the fire code, which specifies fire safety standards for buildings. However, changes to the code only apply to new buildings, and to existing ones that undergo addition and alteration works.

 

There are currently no measures to mandate owners of existing buildings which have not undergone any addition and alteration works to install the latest fire safety measures.

 

 

"In exercising this mandate, SCDF will adopt a judicious, risk-based approach in identifying buildings for fire safety upgrades," said MHA. "For example, relevant considerations include the buildings’ fire risk profile, based on factors such as building age, purpose and the profile of its occupants."

 

STRICTER REGULATIONS

 

There will also be harsher penalties for five offences under the Fire Safety Act.

 

These offences mainly involve the unauthorised change of use of premises which could cause the existing fire safety measures to become inadequate, as well as instances where industry professionals such as registered inspectors do not responsibly supervise and certify fire safety works.

 

The penalty for the unauthorised change of use of premises will be raised from a maximum fine of S$10,000 to S$200,000 and/or up to two years’ jail.

 

The penalty for the failure of an appointed Qualified Person to supervise fire safety works will also be raised from a maximum fine of S$10,000 and six months’ jail, to a maximum fine of S$200,000 and/or up to two years’ jail.

 

In addition, SCDF’s enforcement and investigative powers will be enhanced to hold responsible those who flout fire safety rules.

 

Currently, when dealing with fire hazards, SCDF must first issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice and can only take action against the errant parties if they fail to comply with the Notice.

 

But as some fire hazards may pose "serious and significant" fire safety risks, SCDF will have the option to immediately prosecute culpable parties. Its officers will also be able to investigate suspects for fire safety violations, and take statements when there is reasonable suspicion of an offence.

 

The Bill will also allow SCDF officers to enter any premises that may have evidence of fire safety offences.

 

Said MHA: "While the number of fire incidents in Singapore has remained stable and our fire fatality rates are low, we must periodically review and update our fire safety regulations, so that they continue to remain robust and relevant, and we can effectively respond to new and evolving fire safety risks and challenges."

Seeing such topics, I know i5t highly likely from u ;)

[Kyrios]

When shit happens, just point fingers at the contractor. Can even sue them in court for negligence. No responsibility and accountability at all. Shiok!!