Singapore: Building owners in hot soup for occupying premises without valid fire cert

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Six building owners in Singapore have been charged for occupying premises without valid fire certificates, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) saying today. 

The SCDF said in a statement that it had reminded the owners about renewing their fire certificates two months prior to their expiry followed by “multiple reminders”.  

According to the report, the owners disregarded the reminders and failed to renew the certificates while allowing the premises to be occupied “even after the certificates had expired”. 

As a result, all the six owners were fined between S$1,400 (RM4,349) and S$2,000, said SCDF.

Under the Fire Safety Act of Singapore, premises must have a valid fire certificate before they can be occupied.

CNA reported that the “certificate shows that the fire safety measures installed within the premises have been checked to be in working condition and that the building is safe to be occupied.

“Fire safety measures include automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and emergency power supply.” 

"A professional engineer must be engaged to check the serviceability of its measures before SCDF approves the fire certificate renewal," said the SCDF. 

The force also said that it took a "very serious view" of fire certificate related offences.

All the premises reportedly have since renewed their fire certificates. 

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