Singapore Tightens Subway Fire Safety Regulations

Imagine a fire breaking out in an MRT station—how would firefighters quickly access water sources to contain the blaze? The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has released updated fire safety regulations specifically addressing subway stations, with clear requirements for dry riser systems and fire hose reels. This article provides an in-depth analysis of these new regulations to help professionals better understand and implement them, ensuring optimal fire safety in MRT stations.

According to SCDF's new regulations, dry riser systems in MRT stations must meet the following conditions:

• Height requirements: For above-ground station areas, dry riser systems must be installed if the habitable height exceeds 10 meters.
• Underground spaces: All underground levels must be equipped with dry riser systems.
• Independent installation: Station platforms and underground rail lines must have separate dry riser systems to ensure operational independence.

Dry riser systems may be waived for above-ground station areas where all rail lines are located along exterior facades and fire engine access is available along these rail lines.

The number, distribution, dimensions, and installation of dry risers must comply with Singapore Standard SS 575, though practical adjustments are permitted.

• Coverage: Hydrants must ensure no point exceeds 38 meters from a water source (30m hose length plus 8m nozzle reach). Distance measurements must follow practical hose deployment paths.
• Location priority: Hydrants should be placed in:
  • Fire lift/lobby interiors
  • Emergency stairwells
  • Exterior of underground commercial space entrances
• Fire rating: Dry risers in commercial spaces require minimum 2-hour fire resistance.

• Coverage: Platform hydrants must ensure no point exceeds 68 meters (2×30m hoses plus 8m nozzle reach).
• Exempt areas: Elevator machine rooms (near entrances), equipment ducts under platforms, cable/electrical rooms, airlocks, plenums, ventilation shafts, and non-commercial pedestrian bridges/walkways.
• Visibility: Risers and hydrants must remain unobstructed, preferably located in:
  • Fire lift lobbies
  • Stairwells
  • Fire-rated shafts near stairs when other options are unavailable
• Special cases: Platform-area hydrants must receive simultaneous water supply when either end riser is pressurized.
• Fire rating: Platform risers need no fire resistance but cannot traverse smoke shafts, retail spaces, or high-risk areas.
• Multi-point supply: Each riser may supply multiple hydrants per level if:
  • Minimum two risers are installed at platform ends
  • 150mm nominal diameter with 4-way breeching inlets
  • Maximum 4-bar pressure loss at 38L/s flow rate per hydrant

Each hydrant requires backup hoses—typically two per hydrant, though one may suffice with adequate coverage.

• Type: 63.5mm nominal diameter BS 6391 Type 3 hoses with compatible couplings
• Couplings: BS-compliant light alloy/gunmetal instantaneous types (63.5mm) with 15-bar pressure rating
• Storage: 30m hoses stored in Dutch rolls within glass-front cabinets
• Location: Within 2m of hydrants, avoiding direct sunlight

Hydraulic fire hose reels compliant with SS 575 must be installed throughout stations (including commercial areas and underground accessways), except in:

• Buffer zones (with equipment rooms), platforms, and outdoor cooling tower areas
• Ground-level entrances without rooms/kiosks/ATMs
• Cable rooms and platform-level equipment ducts
• Ventilation shafts and standalone refuse stations
• Single-story stations ≤12m roof height or ≤24m elevated roofs with only solar panels

• Hose: 20-25mm diameter EN 694-compliant, ≤30m length with 4-6mm shut-off branch nozzles
• Location: Prominent positions within 5m of exits (not in stairwells)
• Water supply: May share tanks with sprinkler systems if intake points exceed sprinkler reserve capacity

SCDF's updated regulations for dry risers and fire hose reels significantly enhance MRT station fire safety, ensuring reliable water access for firefighters during emergencies. These measures enable rapid fire containment, protecting passengers and staff. Relevant authorities must thoroughly implement these standards while continuously optimizing fire safety protocols to maintain secure public transit environments.