ANALYSIS OF SINGAPORE �S PERFORMANCE BASED FIRE CODE (AFTER A 7 YEAR OBSERVATION PERIOD)

Abstract

This dissertation will examine the effectiveness of Singapore’s Performance Based Fire Code. This performance based fire code has only been recently introduced in 2004 and the 7 years that have passed would serve as a useful observation period to analyze the effectiveness of its implementation.

Such an area of study has been observed to be a knowledge gap in the industry today. While there have been some local studies done on performance based fire code prior to its implementation, there is little (almost none) done to examine its current state of effectiveness. As such, this dissertation will aim to meet this knowledge gap.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the successfulness of authorities in their implementation of the performance based fire code, through comparing its initial objectives with the actual situation/ impact on the industry. In addition, this study will also strive to obtain an idea of the general level of receptivity of industry practitioners towards performance based fire code.

This study will thus enlist the use of various research methodologies such as literature reviews, interviews and surveys to meet the aims of this study. Four interviews were conducted and a survey sample size of 43 was obtained. Analysis is then carried out on these data and it has generally been found that while there have been commendable efforts and significant meeting of its initial objectives, there are still many ‘loopholes’ in the current system of performance based fire code that warrants improvement, if further development is desired.

With that, comparative studies with overseas models is then conducted to serve as a reference and to suggest possible solutions and ideas that could be adopted in the next wave of development of Singapore’s performance based fire code.

Recommendations would then be done at the final stage to propose for certain feasible solutions/improvements that would be worthy of consideration for local authorities during the next fire code review.