Why Fire Safety Manager is required
for all commercial buildings in Singapore
Singapore is considered one of the world's safest countries. Most fires in Singapore will be put out before being able to spread. This is due to strict regulations enforced by Singapore's Civil Defence Force. For a commercial property owner or manager, the position of Fire Safety Manager should be one of the most important roles to fill. But why is it an essential role and what impact will this have on your company? We will explain
Fire Safety Manager Responsibilities
An FSM is not just a paid employee: FSMs play a key coordinating role in maintaining fire safety standards and preparedness within the premises.
Their responsibilities include:
Compliance: Keeping your building compliant with The Fire Safety Act and SCDF regulations.
Maintenance: Ensuring that fire protection systems are properly maintained, tested, and certified by approved contractors.
Emergency Planning: Developing and implementing fire drills and evacuation plans to prepare the occupants of your building for a response to an alarm.
Risk Identification: Performing risk audits to identify potential fire hazards before an accident occurs.
The Importance of Having An FSM As Required By Law
Certain specified premises are required to appoint a Fire Safety Manager, depending on the building type, use, and fire risk classification.
The main reason the government made it a law was
Complexity of Larger Buildings: As fire evacuation strategies become increasingly difficult due to high occupancy and less access to evacuate, this will require expertise (from a fire safety expert) to handle this during emergencies.
Liability & Protection: If a building does not have an FSM, it could fail its fire safety audit which could lead to significant fines, prosecution, or potentially this may result in enforcement actions, fines, or restrictions imposed by SCDF.
Prevention of a System Failure: Regular inspections will catch Silent Problems, such as blocked fire exits or non-functioning alarms, which could potentially result in a tragedy.
Challenges Associated with Maintaining Fire Safety Standard Compliance
Fire safety is a full-time job. Constantly staying updated with SCDF code changes and ensuring all fire safety equipment is certified by a qualified professional can overwhelm many businesses owners.
In addition to being an ongoing legal liability, failure to comply with fire safety regulations can also result in significant financial loss.
A single failure to comply can potentially result in considerable damage to a company’s assets, lengthy business shutdowns, and large financial liabilities.
How An EHS Outsourcing Service Can Assist with Fire Safety Compliance
Not every company has the human resource capacity to hire an individual as a full-time safety expert. An EHS outsourcing company provides a solution to this issue.
Outsourcing the needs of your fire safety systems and EHS can provide you with access to certified professionals to:
- Act as Your Designated Fire Safety Manager
- Complete all SCDF Paperwork & Submit to SCDF
- Keep Your Building “Audit Ready” at All Times
- Provide You Peace of Mind & Allow You to Focus on Operating Your Business
Conclusion
Having a Fire Safety Manager is more than just having someone fill out paperwork for regulatory compliance; it represents a major investment in the safety of your staff, customers, and property. In an area as highly populated as Singapore, Fire
Safety is not just something you can do; it is an integral part of your success.
Does Your Building Meet SCDF Compliance Requirements?
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