Choosing a fire extinguisher for home
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) recommends that each household has at least one Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher, certified by a Certification Body accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council. According to the SCDF Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, a dry powder extinguisher works on different types of fires and can put out many types of household incipient fires, meaning fires at their very early stage.
Before you buy, check the certification first. SCDF lists authorised dealers and servicing workshops on its website, so buying from a dealer on that list makes the check easier. The handbook also states that SCDF is not linked to any distributor that sells fire extinguishers door to door (SCDF handbook).
How to use it: P.A.S.S.
SCDF teaches a four-step method called P.A.S.S., set out in the SCDF handbook. Read the steps now, while there is no fire, so they come back to you under pressure.
- Pull. Pull out the safety pin from the handle.
- Aim. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, rather than at the tips of the flames.
- Squeeze. Squeeze the lever to discharge the powder.
- Sweep. Sweep the fire with the discharge until the flames are out.
SCDF's rule is short: if the fire is small, put it out. Otherwise, alert others, dial 995 and activate the nearest fire alarm (SCDF handbook).
If you live in an HDB flat, there is also a backup nearby. SCDF says 2kg dry powder extinguishers are at the lift lobbies of every two HDB blocks, at the Lifesavers' Emergency Point (SCDF handbook). Find out which lift lobby near you has one.
Fire blankets for the kitchen
According to the SCDF handbook, it is advisable for each household to keep at least one fire blanket certified to the latest BS EN 1869 standard, for small household fires such as electrical and kitchen fires. As with extinguishers, SCDF is not linked to sellers who go door to door with fire blankets.
Keep your fire blanket on a kitchen wall near the doorway, away from the hob, so you can reach it without leaning over a burning pan.
If a pan catches fire, SCDF's Fire safety at home leaflet sets out what to do. It also asks you to avoid leaving cooking unattended, so stay in the kitchen while the stove is on.
- Cover the cookware with a lid or a wet cloth.
- Turn off the gas supply.
- Avoid pouring water into the cookware.
- Call 995 if the fire goes out of control.
If you ever smell gas in the kitchen, see our guide on what to do in a gas leak.
Keeping and disposing of it
Where you keep the extinguisher matters as much as owning one. As practical advice, put it where you can reach it on your way out, such as near the main door or the kitchen doorway. Do not keep it behind the stove or in a cabinet beside the hob, where a fire could stop you from getting to it.
When you no longer need an extinguisher, do not dispose of it in the rubbish chute or a bin. SCDF advises you to ask the manufacturer or supplier whether they collect them (SCDF handbook).
Smoke alarms and the rest of your fire plan
An extinguisher only helps once you know there is a fire. A Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) is an automatic smoke or heat detector that gives early warning of a fire by sounding an alarm. SCDF says a smoke detector gives earlier warning than a heat detector and is recommended for the primary protection of homes (SCDF on Home Fire Alarm Devices). See our home fire alarm guide for more.
Prevention is the other half. SCDF home fire safety advice includes not leaving cooking unattended, not overloading electrical outlets and switching off appliances when not in use (SCDF handbook). Work through our home fire safety checklist and home electrical safety checklist to put this into practice.
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Find the right serviceBattery fires need a different response. SCDF warns that lithium-ion battery fires can escalate very quickly. If an active mobility device (AMD) catches fire, shout to alert others, leave immediately and close the door, call 995, and do not fight the fire (SCDF handbook). If anyone at home charges a personal mobility device (PMD), read our guide to PMD battery fire safety.
Questions
Is a fire extinguisher compulsory in an HDB flat?
SCDF recommends one for every household. Its advice is that each household has at least one Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher, certified by a Certification Body accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SCDF handbook). Keep yours within reach, and note which nearby lift lobby has one of the 2kg extinguishers found at every two HDB blocks.
Where should I keep a fire extinguisher at home?
Within reach on your way out of the home. Practical spots are near the main door or the kitchen doorway, at a height every adult at home can reach. Avoid keeping it behind or beside the stove, where a fire could block your way to it. Make sure everyone knows where it is and how the P.A.S.S. steps work.
Can I use a fire extinguisher on an electrical fire?
Yes, if it is a dry powder extinguisher and the fire is small. SCDF says a dry powder extinguisher works on different types of fires, and a certified fire blanket helps with small electrical fires (SCDF handbook). Switch off at the mains only if it is safe, and never if you, the floor or the switch is wet. If the fire grows, get out and call 995.
How do I know my extinguisher is certified?
Check that it is certified by a Certification Body accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council, which is what SCDF recommends (SCDF handbook). Buying from one of the authorised dealers that SCDF lists on its website makes this easier to confirm. If you are unsure, ask the dealer or the manufacturer to show you the certification.
Should I pour water on a pan fire?
No. SCDF's leaflet advises you to avoid pouring water into the cookware. Instead, cover it with a lid or a wet cloth and turn off the gas supply. Call 995 if the fire goes out of control (SCDF fire safety at home leaflet). The leaflet also asks you to avoid leaving cooking unattended.
Do fire extinguishers need servicing?
Ask about it when you buy. SCDF lists authorised servicing workshops on its website (SCDF handbook). Ask the workshop or the manufacturer how often your model should be checked and what to do when it reaches the end of its life. Do not put an old extinguisher in the rubbish chute or a bin.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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