Home fire safety questions

Home fire safety: fire alarms

Is a fire alarm compulsory in an HDB flat? It is for new flats and for flats doing fire safety works under the 2018 rule. Every other flat is strongly encouraged to have one. If you are unsure which group your flat is in, the first answer below sets out both. The answers below cover when the rule applies, what a device costs and which features to look for, and our guide to a fire alarm in an HDB flat goes into more depth.

When must an HDB flat have a fire alarm?

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) says a Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) is mandatory for new homes and for existing homes carrying out fire safety works with plans submitted to SCDF or other agencies from 2018. If your flat falls outside both groups, it is not mandatory, but SCDF strongly encourages you to install one.

What does a fire alarm device cost?

SCDF puts a fire alarm with a 10-year built-in battery at about S$50 to S$80 each, excluding installation, and recommends this type. Dry-cell models cost about S$40 or less, but their batteries need frequent replacement. SCDF's HFAD page has the details. Ask the seller whether a quoted price includes installation.

What features should it have?

SCDF's FAQs on home fire alarm devices list the features to look for: a test button for periodic checks, a temporary silence or reset feature for false alarms, a sounder, and a battery that lasts at least 10 years with a low-battery indication. Use this list to compare models before you buy.

Extinguishers and fire blankets

Two pieces of kit come up most often in questions about tackling a fire at home: a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher. The answers below cover the official advice on fire blankets and where to learn how to use an extinguisher before you ever need one.

Should I keep a fire blanket at home?

Yes. SCDF's Emergency Handbook advises each household to keep at least one fire blanket certified to the latest BS EN 1869 standard. SCDF also says it is not linked to any fire blanket distributor selling door to door, so a seller at your door is not acting for SCDF. Check for the BS EN 1869 certification before you buy.

Where can I learn to use an extinguisher?

You can learn the basics from our guide to a fire extinguisher at home. It explains how to use one and answers common questions about keeping an extinguisher in the flat. Read it before you need it, so the steps are already familiar if a fire ever starts.

Batteries, corridors and gas

These three questions look beyond the kitchen: charging a PMD, keeping the corridor outside your flat clear, and what to do if you notice a gas smell. Each answer links a guide with more detail.

How do I charge a PMD safely?

Follow SCDF's Emergency Handbook tips: use only original batteries and a power adapter with the safety mark recommended by the manufacturer. Do not charge the device immediately after use, and never charge it near combustible materials or along an escape path. Our guide to PMD battery fire safety covers more charging questions.

How much space must I keep in the corridor?

At least 1.2m of clear width. SCDF's guidelines on HDB common areas say ambulance crew and a wheelchair user need this much space, and ask residents to keep staircases and landings clear at all times. Our guide to corridor rules answers common questions about items outside your flat. For clutter blocking the way, see the last question below.

What if I smell gas?

Follow the steps in our guide on what to do about a gas leak. It explains what to do and answers common follow-up questions. Read it now, while nothing is wrong, so you are not looking up the steps for the first time when you notice a smell.

Where to go next

Once the questions above are covered, these guides help you check the rest of your home:

• The home fire safety checklist helps you go through your flat and spot common fire hazards.
• Our guide to power strip overload explains what to watch for when several appliances share one power strip.
• The home electrical safety checklist covers wider electrical checks you can do around the home.

If a check turns up work you cannot do yourself, such as a job on wiring or gas pipes, the tool below helps you find the right trade.

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