Tanjong Pagar Plaza Fire

SINGAPORE: Fire broke out in Tanjong Pagar Plaza HDB unit and caused 50 people to be evacuated on Friday (Jun 30) 

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire at Block 4 Tanjong Pagar Plaza at about 2.15pm and firefighters extinguished the blaze with a water jet.

"The fire involved contents of a bedroom in a unit on the fifth floor," SCDF said.

"As a precautionary measure, the police and SCDF evacuated about 50 people from the affected premises." 

While no injuries were reported initially, SCDF said later that it had taken a resident from a neighbouring unit to hospital.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was likely to have been of electrical origin.

To prevent electrical fires, SCDF said that members of the public should take heed of the following guidelines. 

• Do not overload electrical outlets with electrical appliances.
• Always switch off appliances when they are not in use.
• Check appliances for frayed wires or cracked cords. If observed, the appliance should be repaired or replaced. Do not use faulty appliances.
• Do not run wires under carpets or mats and keep wires away from hot surfaces.
• Use appliances and electrical plugs bearing the Safety Mark.
• Do not leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.

And here are SCDF Fire Safety Guidelines for HDB Estates 

Guidelines On The Use of Common Areas in HDB Estates

There are hundreds of fires in HDB common areas every year. Obstruction to common corridors and fire fighting equipment (e.g. dry risers & hose reels) can seriously hamper fire fighting efforts and smooth evacuation in a fire emergency, endangering your lives. Following the guidelines will help create a safer living environment for your loved ones.

 

Guidelines on Usage of Common Corridor

While SCDF does not permit the storage of combustible materials along common corridors, we can allow for the placement of shoe racks, provided;-

It is for the sole purpose of keeping shoes, whereby, it would not constitute a substantial fire load, A minimum clear escape passage of 1.2* m clearance is to be maintained from the parapet wall where the shoe rack is to be allowed.

No objects are to be placed along common corridors less than 1.2 m* wide. 

No placement of items such as clothing racks unless they can be easily folded or removed in times of emergency so that they do not obstruct the escape route.

*The minimum unobstructed width of the corrider was increased from 1m to 1.2m after the revision of the Fire Code in 2013.

Guidelines on Staircases and Its Landing

Strictly no placement/storage of objects at staircases and its immediate landing is allowed.

Guidelines on Maintenance of Fire Safety/Fighting Provisions

Fire safety / fighting provisions are to be regularly serviced and ensure its operational readiness at all times. Access to the fire safety/fighting provisions should not be impeded at all times.

No placement/storage of items within dry/wet riser compartment.

No placement/storage of items within hosereel compartment.

Access to dry/wet landing valves and dry/wet riser breeching inlet at common areas should not be obstructed. 

Lugs to the landing valves are to be checked regularly to ensure that it is present. If found to be missing, to replace the missing pieces as soon as possible.

Fire Alarm System is to be "ON" and operationally ready at all times.

Smoke or heat detectors must be properly and regularly maintained.