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

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs whether the Singapore Fire Service is sufficiently and adequately equipped to fight fires in high-rise buildings.

Mr Chan Chee Seng (for the Acting Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the equipment needed to fight fires in high-rise buildings is basically the same as those used to fight other fires. The Singapore Fire Service has the necessary equipment.

As the tallest mechanical ladders have a maximum height of 30 metres, fires which break out on the upper floors of high-rise buildings cannot be fought through exterior-based operations. They have to be fought from within, using built-in fire-fighting facilities such as internal fire water main systems, fire lifts, pressurised or ventilated staircases and fire-fighting lobbies. The local fire codes require the provision of these facilities in high-rise buildings.

The Singapore Fire Service practises high-rise fire-fighting procedures every week. Officers and men are sent to high-rise buildings on these occasions to practise fire-fighting and rescue drills and to familiarise themselves with the layout of the buildings. The High-rise Fire-fighting Unit, which was formed in 1976, carries out periodic inspections of fire-fighting, detection and protection systems in high-rise buildings.

The Singapore Fire Service has a Search and Rescue Squad consisting of 108 men who have undergone intensive training in the rescue of trapped victims of fires in high-rise buildings. They have been sent for specialised training with the Commando Battalion and Helicopter Squadron of the Singapore Armed Forces. In addition, there is a contingency plan for obtaining the assistance of RSAF helicopters for carrying out aerial evacuation of trapped victims and for lowering fire-fighting equipment onto the rooftops of high-rise buildings. Three-quarters of the efficacy of these fire practices depend on constant co-ordination and rehearsals of what to do in an emergency. If these practices are not being taken seriously by occupants of high-rise buildings, they will be repeated until the Singapore Fire Service is thoroughly satisfied.

Finally, I would like to assure the House that the Singapore Fire Service keeps abreast of technological advances in the fighting of high-rise fires. Wherever practicable, the Service will adopt proven fire-fighting techniques.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): Sir, that is all fine for completed high-rise buildings. Are the facilities of the Singapore Fire Service adequate enough to fight fires in high-rise buildings which are under construction?

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I suppose fighting a fire in a building which is under construction is almost the same as fighting a fire in a building which has been completed.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: Sir, I do not think so because uncompleted high-rise buildings are not equipped with localised internal fire-fighting equipment.

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is true that an incomplete high-rise building is without ventilated staircases and fire-fighting lobbies. But in fighting a fire in an incomplete highrise building, we still need to fight it from within and not from above or from anywhere.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: Sir, how do the firemen go up from the lower floors to the upper floors when the building is not completed?

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, that depends on the mate of the building and the situation of the fire.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: Sir, can the Hon. Senior Parliamentary Secretary elaborate?

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Sir, can the hon. Member quote a case?

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: The recent fire at Dynasty Hotel which was reported in the press.

Mr Chan Chee Seng: I think we did quite well in fighting the fire at Dynasty Hotel. 3.50 p.m.