1. Building Owners / Qualified Persons (QPs)

• The building owner (or their representative) must apply for the FSC.
• They usually engage a Qualified Person (QP) - typically registered architects or professional engineers - to prepare and submit the fire safety works (FSW) plans.

2. Any Person Carrying Out Fire Safety Works

• Anyone who wants to carry out fire safety works (e.g., installing or modifying fire protection systems) in a building must apply to SCDF for plan approval first.
• These works must comply with the Fire Safety Act and Fire Code.

3. Change of Use / Change of Occupancy

• If a building (or part of it) changes its usage (for example, turning a warehouse into a workshop or retail shop), the owner or occupier must apply for FSC.
• A Qualified Person (QP) must be engaged to submit the new fire safety design; a Registered Inspector (RI) must inspect the fire safety works before FSC application.

4. After Completion of Fire Safety Works

• The FSC is issued only after all fire-safety work has been fully completed and inspected.
• If there are minor outstanding issues, the building owner may first apply for a Temporary Fire Permit (TFP) while fixing those issues, but FSC must be obtained eventually.

5. Legal Requirement under Fire Safety Act

• Under the Fire Safety Act, failing to obtain an FSC (when required) before occupation is an offence.
• SCDF explicitly states that the owner and QP are required to apply and obtain FSC before the premises can be used or occupied.

Which Types of Buildings / Premises Need an FSC (Fire Safety Certificate) in Singapore

The Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) is required whenever there are fire safety works (FSW) in a building, and before the building can be occupied or used. This applies broadly across many building types.

Here are common building types that typically need an FSC:

• 1. Commercial Buildings
  • Offices
  • Retail shops, malls, shopping centres
  • Mixed-use commercial developments
  • Educational/institutional buildings (e.g. schools, centres)
• 2. Industrial Buildings
  • Factories, warehouses
  • Premises that carry out fire-safety-sensitive works like installing sprinklers, fire alarms, or altering means of escape.
• 3. Residential Buildings (in Certain Cases)
  • While FSC is most o]en associated with new or materially altered buildings, residential complexes (especially larger ones) may require FSC when fire-safety systems like sprinklers, dry / wet risers, or fire alarm systems are installed or altered.
  • In addition, change-of-use (e.g., converting part of a residential building into a commercial / institutional space) will likely require FSC plan approval. SCDF
• 4. Special / Higher-Risk Premises
  • Large commercial buildings exceeding certain height or size thresholds may require specialized fire safety reports. For example, for tall commercial buildings (e.g. more than 60 m), a Fire Safety Report is required.
  • Petroleum / chemical plants or installations also fall under stricter fire-safety-works requirements.
  • Buildings where air-conditioning or ventilation works (that might affect fire compartments or escape routes) are modified.

Why These Buildings Need FSC

• Safety for Occupants: FSC ensures that when the building is used / occupied, all fire-safety systems (sprinklers, alarms, exit routes) are properly installed and "as planned."
• Legal Requirement: Under the Fire Safety Act, it's an offence to occupy premises without completing required fire-safety works and obtaining the FSC.
• Design Compliance: For major works (e.g., additions, alterations), SCDF requires QPs (Qualified Persons) to submit detailed plans for fire-safety works.