Clarification on the Performance-Based Approach as a Fire Safety Design Alternative for Communal Sky Terraces and Rooftop Gardens

Circular No : URA/PB/2014/19-DCG
Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_14
Fax : 6227 4792

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Building owners, developers, architects

Effective Date:
With immediate effect

1. Fire Safety Engineers (FSEs) may adopt a performance-based approach to design communal sky terraces and rooftop gardens instead of using the prescriptive occupancy load computation under the Fire Code. This approach is less prescriptive and will allow more flexibility in the design of quality green spaces without compromising fire safety standards. 

2. In recent years, we are seeing an increasing number of developments providing communal green spaces either at the roof or intermediate levels (e.g. sky terraces and rooftop gardens). However, the industry has given feedback that the current SCDF prescriptive fire code is restrictive as it requires planting areas to be raised by 300mm or more before these features can be excluded from the occupancy load computation and the corresponding need to provide fire escape staircases.

3. The performance-based approach is an alternative option that is already available to the building industry. Under this approach, FSEs have to justify for the maximum occupancy load that the sky terrace/rooftop can hold based on the number of escape staircases proposed. Within the declared maximum occupancy load, building owners and their landscape architects are free to design attractive and well integrated sunken planting beds that still meet the fire safety requirements of SCDF. As part of the performance-based approach, FSEs are responsible for proposing necessary measures (e.g. the use of people counters) to ensure that the declared maximum occupancy load will not be exceeded. Building owners are also required to maintain and implement these approved fire safety measures.

Submission Requirements

4. The framework for the performance-based submission can be found on SCDF’s website ↗ (opens in new tab). For performance-based designs, FSEs may seek a consultation with Major Chong Kim Yuan (Tel: 6848 1476) or Mr. Nicholas Lee (Tel: 6848 1744).

Implementation

5. I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular to the relevant members of your organisation. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to call the SCDF or URA’s Development Control Group (DCG) Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 or email us at ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab). We will be pleased to answer queries on this, and any other development control matters. For your information, past circulars to professional institutes are available at our website http://www.ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).

Thank You.

CHRISTOPHER TAN
DIRECTOR FIRE SAFETY & SHELTER DEPARTMENT
for COMMISSIONER
SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE

HAN YONG HOE
GROUP DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT CONTROL)
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY