Why Government Urges People to Install Fire-rated door for their house (Especially in Flats)

Without a fire-rated door imagine a terrifying scenario: a fire erupts in your flat in the middle of the night. The smoke alarm blares, jolting you awake. Every second counts as you scramble for safety. But what if your regular door becomes a flimsy barrier, heat radiating through quickly, making escape difficult? That’s where fire-rated doors come in – a crucial shield against fire’s fury.

The Singapore government strongly encourages residents, especially those living in flats, to install fire-rated doors and fire-rated Digital locks. Here’s a breakdown of why these doors are essential for your safety, based on recent fire statistics and regulations:

Number of Fire Accident Records: Fire Statistics in Singapore Flats

While the overall number of fires in Singapore dipped slightly in 2023 compared to 2022 as per SCDF’s 2023 Annual Statistics report, fire safety remains a top concern, especially in flats:

More Flat Fires Than Ever:
The report reveals an increase in fires involving residential buildings 970 fires in 2023 and only 935 fires in 2022. This highlights the need for highly focused fire safety measures within flats, where multiple families live in close proximity.

Unattended Cooking a Major Threat in Flats:
The Leading cause of residential fires in 2023 was unattended cooking (384 incidents). A fire-rated door can act as a barrier, preventing flames from spreading quickly throughout your flat, giving you valuable time to react and evacuate safely.

Regulations for Escape Routes: 

The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) outlines fire safety regulations (Clause 3.9), including the requirement for fire doors in specific locations like hallways and staircases. These doors create fire compartments, ensuring escape routes remain clear.

Fire-Rated Doors becomes your Lifeline in a Fire Emergency

These fire-rated doors are not like your average normal doors. They are built tough, and designed to withstand high temperatures for a designated period – typically 30 or 60 minutes. This translates to:

Precious Escape Time: 
A fire-rated door acts as a shield, slowing the spread of flames within your flat. These critical minutes can be the difference between life and death, allowing you and your family to escape safely through designated exits like hallways and staircases in your flats

Protected Escape Routes: 
Imagine a fire starting in your kitchen. A fire-rated door on your hallway can prevent flames from engulfing the corridor, keeping your escape route clear to the stairwell or common areas, as mandated by SCDF regulations.

Fire-rated doors offer more than just escape benefits:

If the flat near yours caught fire, you have escaped from your flat by keeping your fire-rated door closed, it withstands fire for the designated time and at that time may firefighter eliminates fire.

Reduced Property Damage: 

These doors can act as a barrier against the intense heat of a fire, potentially minimizing damage to your furniture and belongings inside your flat. This can save you a significant amount of money and heartache in the aftermath of a fire.

Peace of Mind: 

Knowing your home has an extra layer of fire protection can provide a sense of security and reduce anxiety, especially if you live with young children or elderly family members.

Taking Action for a Safer Home

Installing a fire-rated door is a proactive step towards fire safety in your flat. Here are some tips:

Check Your Existing Door: 

Look for a label indicating the fire rating (e.g., FD30 for 30 minutes) and ensure it complies with SCDF regulations.

Consult a Fire Safety Door Professional: 

They can recommend the right fire-rated door for your flat, considering factors like size, location, and budget, and ensure proper installation.