SINGAPORE FIRE BRIGADE (Fire-fighting in high-rise buildings)

Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked the Minister for Social Affairs, in view of the large number of high-rise office complexes in Singapore, what steps have been taken by the Singapore Fire Brigade to adequately equip itself and to train its personnel to fight fire in such buildings.

Encik Othman bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Fire Brigade is fully aware of the dangers of high-rise fires. The prevention of such fires depends on the built-in facilities in high-rise buildings such as automatic sprinklers, fire detectors, wet and dry rising mains, protected staircases for escape purposes, ventilated lobbies and fire lifts for use by firemen in emergencies, hose reels and extinguishers and the use of non- combustible building materials to control spread of fire.

Although the fire regulatory functions have been transferred to the Building Control Division since 1st August 1973, the high standards of fire prevention advocated by the Brigade have been maintained through the Fire Precautionary Code which was prepared by the Building Control Division in consultation with the Singapore Fire Brigade. We can, therefore, rest assured that all the high-rise office and commercial complexes in Singapore are adequately equipped with in- built fire protection facilities. The provision of such facilities is very important to the Fire Brigade because high-rise fires must be fought from within the building using such facilities. It would not be feasible to fight a high-rise fire by conventional methods as our high-rise buildings tower beyond the height of the tallest fire service ladders. Firemen of all ranks are now given specialised training for fighting high-rise fires. Regular fire drills are held in high-rise buildings to familiarise them with the structural layout of the building and the in-built fire protection facilities.

A Search and Rescue Squad was formed in February 1975 to conduct search and rescue in high-rise buildings. The Squad consists of 50 officers who were handpicked to undergo rigorous training in various methods of fighting fires in high-rise buildings.

Studies have been made in co-operation with Mindef Air Staff on the possibility of using helicopters for rooftop aerial evacuations. The Alouette helicopter is of limited use for this purpose. There are also technical difficulties in rooftop landings. Further studies are being made whether the larger Bell search-and-rescue helicopter of the RSAF would be a more suitable aircraft. In a high-rise fire, it would be safer to descend through the protected staircases rather than ascend to the rooftop where heat and smoke, or other conditions might make it impossible for rescue to be effected.

In order to improve their fire prevention efforts in high-rise buildings, the Brigade set up a High-rise Unit on 28th October 1976. The objectives of the Unit are as follows:-

(a) to carry out regular inspections and tests on fire-fighting and fire protection facilities of commercial type high-rise buildings:

(b) to maintain up-to-date record of high- rise buildings;

(c) to liaise closely with the Building Control Division and the Commissioner of Buildings to ensure that deficiencies and faults in fire protection systems are reported and rectified;

(d) to collate technical information on high-rise buildings and provide feedback to the Brigade's Operational Command and Communication Control Centre;

(e) to plan and organise training and evacuation programmes for fire safety personnel working in high-rise buildings; and

(f) to draw up fire safety plans and formulate guidelines for occupants of high- rise buildings.

A Fire Service Bill will be introduced in the near future to give the Chief Fire Officer wider powers, including powers to abate fire hazards in high-rise buildings and premises of special risks.

New equipment have also been purchased to strengthen the Brigade's operational efficiency. During the past three years, the Brigade purchased equipment amounting to more than $2 million. They include a breathing apparatus vehicle, one mobile control unit, five heavy water tenders, six light water tenders, one emergency tender, one high expansion foam generator and one life-saving air cushion. In addition, one 30- metre snorkel and two 30-metre turntable ladders have been ordered at a cost of $1.3 million.

I would like to assure the hon. Member for Alexandra that the Singapore Fire Brigade will constantly review their facilities and training programmes to prepare for the new dangers of fighting and preventing fires in high-rise buildings.