HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS)

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development whether he will confirm that flats built by the Housing and Development Board do not have the fire safety requirements imposed by building laws in the construction of high-rise apartments for dwelling purposes and, if so, whether there is any good and just reason for exposing dwellers in HDB flats to the serious risk of injury in the event of any fire breaking out and further whether the Board accepts liability for any injury or damage so resulting.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has been exempted since 1960 from submitting building plans to the Building Control Division. This, however, does not mean that HDB's buildings do not comply with fire safety requirements for highrise dwelling units. The HDB buildings are designed according to different stringent fire safety standards. For example, the layout of lobbies and staircases allows smoke to disperse quickly. Design features together with the use of non-combustible building materials prevent the spread of fire from one flat to another.

In addition, the HDB exercises strict control over renovations and alterations to flats. Good design and construction, stringent management regulations and their effective enforcement together with regular maintenance of the premises combine to make HDB buildings among the safest in Singapore.

Despite the large number of HDB flats to house 70% of the total population, the outbreak of fire in HDB buildings has been extremely rare. In every case, the fire has been confined to the unit itself. The main causes of fire outbreak are traced to use of faulty gas appliances, unauthorised electrical extension, storage of combustible materials in the flat or carelessness, such as throwing lighted cigarette butts out of the window into the flat below. Where the fire is caused through carelessness or misuse by the flat dwellers, they are responsible for the cost of repairs. Where the cause of fire cannot be traced, the HDB will bear the expenses for restoring the flat to its original condition. OPINION, Appendix to Oral Answer to Question No. 1 (Cols. 465 - 480) Annex - THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE, SALARY PROGRESSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ON NEW SCALE, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, NEW SALARY SCALES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (FOREIGN) AND FOREIGN SERVICE (Cols. 481 - 492)