When Scaffolding Becomes a Fire Risk: Singapore’s New Fire-Retardant Scaffold Netting Requirement
From 1 March 2027, Singapore is taking another important step to reduce the risk of fire spreading rapidly at construction worksites.
Scaffolding is an essential part of building construction, maintenance and façade works. But when scaffolding is covered with extensive external netting, that temporary protection can also become part of the fire-spread pathway if the material does not have adequate fire performance.
Recognising this risk, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), together with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), has introduced new requirements for fire-retardant scaffold netting installed outside buildings.
What changes from 1 March 2027?For construction projects awarded on or after 1 March 2027, scaffold netting installed outside buildings must meet the required fire-retardant specifications, regardless of the material used for the scaffold itself.
This is an important distinction:
The requirement is not simply about whether the scaffold is made of metal or another material. It is about the fire performance of the netting installed around the building.
MOM has stated that the netting must be tested in accordance with established international fire-test standards identified as relevant to Singapore's operating environment.
The authorities have identified recognised approaches under British Standards, Japanese Industrial Standards and National Fire Protection Association standards. MOM will set out the detailed applicable standards, scope, labelling and certification requirements in its implementation guidance.
Why does scaffold netting matter?A construction site can contain numerous potential ignition sources:
- Hot works and welding
- Electrical equipment
- Temporary electrical installations
- Cutting and grinding activities
- Flammable liquids and materials
- Battery-powered equipment
- Smoking or unauthorised ignition sources
- Heat-producing machinery
When a fire starts near external scaffolding, combustible materials surrounding the building can potentially contribute to rapid flame spread.
This makes fire prevention at the scaffold interface an important part of construction-site risk management. The new requirement therefore reinforces a simple WSH principle:
Do not allow temporary construction materials to become an unnecessary pathway for fire.
Who needs to pay attention?The responsibility does not sit with only the scaffold contractor.
MOM has indicated that occupiers, scaffold contractors, manufacturers and suppliers will all have responsibilities in ensuring that scaffold netting used for applicable projects meets the required specifications.
This means the new requirement should be considered throughout the procurement and project lifecycle.
For project owners and occupiers
Review:
- Project award dates
- Construction schedules
- Contractor requirements
- Procurement specifications
- Fire-risk assessments
- Contractor management arrangements
- Documentation and certification requirements
For main contractors
Do not wait until scaffolding is already erected.
The fire-retardant requirement should be incorporated into:
Tender → Procurement → Supplier approval → Material delivery → Site installation → Inspection → Maintenance → Records
For scaffold contractors
- Verify the fire performance of the proposed netting before bringing it to site.
- Do not rely solely on a supplier's statement that the product is "fire retardant".
- Obtain the appropriate supporting documentation and ensure the product supplied is the same product covered by the relevant test documentation.
For manufacturers and suppliers
Product traceability will become increasingly important.
Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate:
- Product identification
- Applicable fire-test standard
- Test documentation
- Certification or conformity evidence where required
- Labelling requirements
- Batch/product traceability
- Installation or usage limitations
