W.e.f. 1 Apr 2024 onwards, refresher training for Fire Station Emergency Medical Technicians will be enhanced and the In Camp Training period will be extended from 19 to 23 days. Please check with your Deputy Commander Fire Station or unit for more info.

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Clause 3.1 General Clause 3.2 Provision of Compartment Walls and Compartment Floors Clause 3.3 Fire Resistance of Elements of Structure Clause 3.4 Tests of Fire Resistance Clause 3.5 External Wall Clause 3.6 Separating Walls Clause 3.7 Compartment Walls and Compartment Floors Clause 3.8 Protected Shafts Clause 3.9 Protection of Openings Clause 3.10 Exit Staircases Clause 3.11 Concealed Spaces Clause 3.12 Fire Stopping Clause 3.13 Classification of Spread Of Flame Clause 3.14 Roofs Clause 3.15 Materials for Construction Related tables of Chapter 3 Annex 3A Annex 3B

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Annex 3A - Notional Periods of Fire Resistance
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A1.0 General

In this Annex:

a. “Class 1 aggregate” means foamed slag, pumice, blast furnace slag, pelleted fly ash, crushed brick and burnt clay products (including expanded clay) well-burnt clinker and crushed limestone.

b. “Class 2 aggregate” means flint gravel, granite, and all crushed natural stones other than limestones.

c. Any reference to plaster means:

(1) in the case of an external wall 1m or more from the relevant boundary, plaster applied on the internal face only;

(2) in the case of any other wall, plaster applied on both faces;

(3) if to plaster of a given thickness on the external face of a wall, except in the case of a reference to vermiculite-gypsum plaster, rendering on the external face of the same thickness; and

(4) if to vermiculite-gypsum plaster, vermiculite-gypsum plaster of a mix within the range of 1½ to 2:1 by volume.

d. In the case of a cavity wall, the load is assumed to be on inner leaf only except for fire resistance period of 4-hrs.

e. Any material or type of construction and its method of preparation or application as referred to in the table, shall conform with the relevant provisions of the Building Control Act (Chapter 29) and the relevant Singapore Standard or Singapore Standard Code of Practice. In the absence of the aforementioned Standard or Code of Practice, the relevant British equivalent or other accepted standard or codes of practice shall be applicable.

A2.0 : WALLS

A2.0 : WALLS
Construction and Materials Minimum thickness excluding plaster (in mm) for period of fire resistance of
Load-bearing Non-load-bearing
4 hrs 3 hrs 2 hrs 1½ hrs 1 hr ½ hr 4 hrs 3 hrs 2 hrs 1½ hrs 1 hr ½ hr
A2.1 -- Mansonry Construction
1. Reinforced concrete, minimum concrete cover to main reinforcement of 25mm:











(a) Unplastered (to comply with SS EN 1992–1–2) - - - - - - - - - - - -
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster 180 - 100 100 75 75 - - - - - -
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster 180 - 100 100 75 75 - - - - - -
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 125 - 75 75 63 63 - - - - - -
2. No-fines concrete of Class 2 aggregate:











(a) 13mm cement-sand plaster - - - - - - 150 150 150 150 150 150
(b) 13mm gypsum-sand plaster - - - - - - 150 150 150 150 150 150
(c) 13mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - - - - - 150 150 150 150 150 150
3. Bricks of clay, concrete or sand-lime:











(a) Unplastered 200 200 100 100 100 100 170 170 100 100 75 75
(b) 13mm cement-sand plaster 200 200 100 100 100 100 170 170 100 100 75 75
(c) 13mm gypsum-sand plaster 200 200 100 100 100 100 170 170 100 100 75 75
(d) 13mm vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum* plaster 100 - 100 100 100 100 100 - 100 100 75 75
4. Concrete blocks of Class 1 aggregate:











(a) Unplastered 150 - 100 100 100 100 150 - 75 75 75 50
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster 150 - 100 100 100 100 150 - 75 75 75 50
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster 150 - 100 100 100 100 150 - 75 75 75 50
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 100 - 100 100 100 100 75 - 75 62 50 50
5. Concrete blocks of Class 2 aggregate:











(a) Unplastered - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 100 75 50
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 100 75 50
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 100 75 50
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 100 - 100 100 100 100 100 - 75 75 75 50
6. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 475 - 1200 kg/m3 180 140 100 100 100 100 100 - 62 62 50 50
7. Hollow concrete blocks, one cell in wall thickness, of Class 1 aggregate:











(a) Unplastered - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 100 100 75
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 75 75 75
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 100 75 75 75
(d) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - 100 100 100 100 150 - 75 75 62 62
8. Hollow concrete blocks, one cell in wall thickness, of Class 2 aggregate:











(a) Unplastered - - - - - - 150 - 150 125 125 125
(b) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - - - - - - 150 - 150 125 125 100
(c) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - - - - - - 150 - 150 125 125 100
(d) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - - - - - - 125 - 100 100 100 75
9. Cellular clay blocks not less than 50% solid











(a) 12.5mm cement-sand plaster - - - - - - - - - - 100 75
(b) 12.5mm gypsum-sand plaster - - - - - - - - - - 100 75
(c) 12.5mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster - - - - - - 200 - 100 100 100 62
10. Cavity wall with outer leaf of bricks or blocks of clay, composition, concrete or sand-lime, not less than 100mm thick and;                        
(a) inner leaf of bricks or blocks of clay, composition, concrete or sand lime 100 100 100 100 100 100 75 - 75 75 75 75
(b) inner leaf of solid or hollow concrete bricks or blocks of Class 1 aggregate 100 100 100 100 100 100 75 - 75 75 75 75
11. Cavity wall with outer leaf of cellular clay blocks as 9 above and inner leaf of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 480-1200 kg/m3 150 140 100 100 100 100 75 75 75 75 75 75

Note:

* - Perlite-gypsum plaster to clay bricks only

 

A2.0 : WALLS
Construction and Materials

Period of Fire Resistance

hrs
A2.2 - Framed and Composite Construction (non-load-bearing)
1. Steel frame with external cladding of 16mm rendering on metal lathing and internal lining of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, density 480-1120 kg/m3 of thickness of –  
(a) 50mm 2
(b) 62mm 3
(c) 75mm 4
2. Steel frame with external cladding of 100mm concrete blocks and internal lining of 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing 4
3. Steel frame with external cladding of 16mm rendering on metal lathing and internal lining of 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing 1
4. Steel or timber frame with facings on each side of -  
(a) metal lathing with cement-sand or gypsum plaster of thickness of-  
(1) 19mm 1
(2) 12.5mm ½
(b) metal lathing with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of-  
(1) 25mm 2
(2) 19mm 1½
(3) 12.5mm 1
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of 5mm ½
(d) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum of thickness of-  
(1) 25mm 2
(2) 16mm 1½
(3) 10mm 1
(4) 5mm ½
(e) 12.5mm plasterboard  
(1) unplastered ½
(2) with gypsum plaster of thickness of 12.5mm 1
(f) 12.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of-  
(1) 25mm 2
(2) 16mm 1 ½
(3) 10mm 1
(g) 19mm plasterboard (or two layers of 9.5mm fixed to break joint) without finish 1
(h) 19mm plasterboard for two layers of 9.5mm with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of-  
(1) 16mm 2
(2) 10mm 1 ½
(i) 12.5mm fibre insulating board with gypsum plaster of thickness of 12.5mm ½
(j) 25mm wood wool slabs with gypsum plaster of thickness of 12.5mm 1
5. Compressed straw slabs in timber frames finished on both faces with gypsum plaster of thickness of 5mm 1
6. Plasterboard 9.5mm cellular core partition-  
(a) unplastered ½
(b) 12.5mm gypsum plaster ½
(c) 22mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 2

7. Plasterboard 12.5mm cellular core partition-

  
(a) unplastered ½
(b) 12.5mm gypsum plaster 1
(c) 16mm vermiculite-gypsum plaster 2
8. Plasterboard 19mm finished on both faces with 16mm gypsum plaster 1
9. Plasterboard 12.5mm bonded with neat gypsum plaster to each side of 19mm plasterboard 1
10. Three layers of 19mm plasterboard bonded with heat gypsum plaster 2
11. Wood wool slab with 12.5mm rendering or plaster of thickness of-  
(a) 75mm 2
(b) 50mm 1
12. Compressed straw slabs, with 75mm by 12.5mm wood cover strips to joints, of thickness of 50mm ½

Note :

* - The presence of a combustible vapour barrier within the thickness of these constructions shall not be regarded as affecting these periods of fire resistance

 

A2.0 : WALLS
Construction and Materials

Period of Fire Resistance

hrs
A2.3 - External walls (non-loadbearing) more than 1m from the relevant boundary
1. Steel frame with external cladding of non-combustible sheets and internal lining of-
(a) 12.5mm cement-sand or gypsum plaster on metal lathing 4
(b) two layers of 9.5mm plasterboard ½
(c) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with gypsum plaster of thickness of 12.5mm ½
(d) 12.5mm plasterboard finished with 5mm gypsum plaster ½
(e) 50mm compressed straw slabs ½
(f) 50mm compressed straw slabs finished with 5mm gypsum plaster 2
2 *Timber frame with external cladding of 10mm cement-sand or cement-lime rendering and internal lining of-
(a) 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing 1
(b) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with12.5 mm gypsum plaster 1
(c) 12.5mm plasterboard finished with 5mm gypsum plaster 1
(d) 50mm compressed straw slabs 1
(e) aerated concrete blocks 1
(1) 50mm 3
(2) 62mm 4
(3) 75mm 4
(4) 100mm 4
3 Timber frame with external cladding of 100mm clay, concrete or sand-lime bricks of blocks, finished internally with 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing 4
4. *Timber frame with external cladding of weather boarding or 9.5 mm plywood and internal lining of-
(a) 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lathing ½
(b) 9.5mm plasterboard finished with 12.5mm gypsum plaster ½
(c) 12.5mm plasterboard finished with 5mm gypsum plaster ½
(d) 50mm compressed straw slabs ½
(e) aerated concrete blocks-  
(1) 50mm 3
(2) 62mm 4
(3) 75mm 4
(4) 100mm 4

Note:

* - The presence of a combustible vapour barrier within the thickness of these constructions shall not be regarded as affecting these periods of fire resistance

 

A3.0: REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

A3.0: REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS
Description Minimum Dimension (mm) of Concrete to give a Fire Resistance of:-
4 hrs 3 hrs 2 hrs 1 ½ hrs 1 hr ½ hr
1 Siliceous aggregate concrete:
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 65* 55* 45* 35 25 15
(b) beam width 280 240 180 140 110 80
2. As (1) with cement or gypsum plaster 15mm thick on light mesh reinforcement
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 50* 40 30 20 15 15
(b) beam width 250 210 170 110 85 70
3. As (1) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster+ 15mm thick:
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 25 15 15 15 15 15
(b) beam width 175 145 125 85 60 60
4. Light weight aggregate concrete:
(a) average concrete cover to main reinforcement 50 45 35 30 20 15
(b) beam width 250 200 160 130 100 80

Note:

* - Supplementary reinforcement, to hold the concrete cover in position, may be necessary

+ - Vermiculite/ gypsum plaster should have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2: 1 by volume

 

A4.0: PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS

A4.0: PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS
DescriptionMinimum Dimension (mm) of Concrete to give a Fire Resistance of:-
4 hrs3 hrs2 hrs1 ½ hrs1 hr½ hr
1 Siliceous aggregate concrete:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons100*85*65*50*4025
(b) beam width28024018014011080
2. As (1) with vermiculite concrete slabs 15mm thick , used as permanent shuttering:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons75*6045352515
(b) beam width2101701251007070
3. As (2) but with 25mm thick slabs:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons655035251515
(b) beam width180140100706060
4. As (1) with 15mm thick gypsum plaster with light mesh reinforcement:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons90*7550403015
(b) beam width2502101701108570
5. As (1) with vermiculite/gypsum plaster+ 15m thick:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons75*6045302515
(b) beam width170145125856060
6. As (5) but with 25mm thick coating:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons504530251515
(b) beam width14012585706060
7. Lightweight aggregate concrete:
(a) average concrete cover to tendons806550403020
(b) beam width25020016013010080

Note:

* - Supplementary reinforcement, to hold the concrete cover in position, may be necessary

+ - Vermiculite/gypsum plaster should have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2: 1 by volume

 

A5.0: REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

A5.0: REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS
Description Minimum Dimension (mm) of Concrete to give a Fire Resistance of:-
4 hrs 3 hrs 2 hrs 1½ hrs 1 hr ½ hr
A5.1 - All Face Exposed
1. Siliceous aggregate concrete:
(a) without additional protection 450 400 300 250 200 150
(b) with cement or gypsum plaster 15mm thick on light mesh reinforcement 300 275 225 150 150 150
(c) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster* 275 225 200 150 120 120
2. Limestone aggregate concrete or siliceous aggregate:
(a) concrete with supplementary reinforcement in concrete cover 300 275 225 200 190 150
3. Lightweight aggregate concrete 300 275 225 200 150 150
A5.2 - One Face Exposed
1. Siliceous aggregate concrete
(a) without additional protection 180 150 100 100 75 75
(b) with vermiculite/ gypsum plaster* 15mm thick on exposed faces 125 100 75 75 65 65

Note:

+ - Vermiculite/gypsum plaster should have a mix ratio in the range of 1 ½ - 2: 1 by volume

 

A6.0: STRUCTURAL STEEL

A6.0: STRUCTURAL STEEL
A6.1 - Encased Steel Stanchions (Mass per metre not less than 45kg)
DescriptionMinimum Thickness (mm) of Protection for a Fire Resistance of:
4 hrs3 hrs2 hrs1 ½ hrs1 hr½hr
A. Solid Protection* (Unplastered)
1. Concrete not leaner than 1:2:4 mix with natural aggregates-
(a) concrete not assumed to be load- bearing reinforced+50-25252525
(b) concrete assumed to be load-bearing, reinforced in accordance with SS EN 1992 and SS EN 199475-50505050
2. Solid bricks of clay, composition or sand-lime1007550505050
3. Solid blocks of foamed slag or pumice concrete reinforced+ in every horizontal joint756050505050
4. Sprayed vermiculite-cement--38321912.5
B. Hollow Protection++
1. Solid bricks of clay, composition or sandlime reinforced in every horizontal joint, unplastered115-50505050
2. Solid blocks of foamed slag or pumice concrete reinforced+ in every horizontal joint, unplastered75-50505050
3. Metal lathing with gypsum or cement- lime plaster of thickness of ---38§251912.5
4. Metal lathing:-      
(a) with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of50§-191612.512.5
(b) spaced 25mm from flanges with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of44-1912.512.512.5
5. Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch -
(a) 9.5mm Plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of----12.512.5
(b) 19mm Plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of--12.51077
6. Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch-
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of--16151010
(b) 19mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of38§-20131010
7. Vermiculite-cement slabs of 4:1 mix reinforced with wire mesh and finished with plaster skim. Slabs of thickness of63-25252525

Note:

* - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the steel without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid

+ - Reinforcement shall consist of steel binding wire not less than 2.3mm in thickness, or a steel mesh weighing not less than 0.48 kg/m2. In concrete protection, the spacing of that reinforcement shall not exceed 150mm in any direction

++ - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protective material and the steel. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level

§ - Light mesh reinforcement required 12.5mm to 19mm below surface unless special corner beads are used

 

A6.2 - Encased Steel Beams (Mass per metre not less than 30kg)

A6.2 - Encased Steel Beams (Mass per metre not less than 30kg)
DescriptionMinimum Thickness (mm) of Protection for a Fire Resistance of :
4 hrs3 hrs2 hrs1½ hrs1 hr½ hr
A. Solid Protection+ (Unplastered)
1. Concrete not leaner than 1:2:4 mix with natural aggregates-
(a) concrete not assumed to be load- bearing, reinforced++755025252525
(b) concrete assumed to be load-bearing, reinforced in accordance with SS EN 1992 and SS EN 1994757550505050
2. Sprayed vermiculite - cement--38321912.5
B. Hollow Protection++
1. Metal lathing -
(a) with cement-lime plaster of thickness of--38251912.5
(b) with gypsum plaster of thickness of--22191612.5
(c) with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of32-12.512.512.512.5
2. Gypsum plasterboard with 1.6mm wire binding at 100mm pitch-
(a) 9.5mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of----12.512.5
(b) 19 mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of--12.51077
3. Plasterboard with 1.6mm wire at 100m pitch -
(a) 9.5mm plaster nailed to wooden cradles finished with gypsum plaster of thickness of-----12.5
(b) 9.5mm plasterboard with vermiculite -gypsum plaster of thickness of--16151010
(c) 19mm plasterboard with vermiculite-gypsum plaster of thickness of32-101077
(d) 19mm plasterboard with gypsum plaster of thickness of--20131010
4. Vermiculite-cement slabs of 4:1 mix reinforced with wire mesh and finished with plaster skim. Slabs of thickness of63-25252525
5. Gypsum-sand plaster 12.5mm thick applied to heavy duty (Type B as designated in EN 13168) Wood wool slabs of thickness of--50383838

Note:

* - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protective materials and the steel. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level

+ - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the steel without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid

++ - Reinforcement shall consist of steel binding wire not less than 2.3mm in thickness, or a steel mesh weighing not less than 0.48 kg/m2. In concrete protection, the spacing of that reinforcement shall not exceed 150mm in any direction

§ - Light mesh reinforcement required 12.5mm to 19mm below surface unless special corner beads are used

 

A7.0: STRUCTURAL ALUMINIUM

A7.0: STRUCTURAL ALUMINIUM
DescriptionMinimum Thickness (mm) of Protection for a Fire Resistance of :
4 hrs3 hrs2 hrs1½ hrs1 hr½ hr
A7.1 - Solid Protection*
1. Sprayed vermiculite-cement----4419
A7.2 - Hollow Protection+
1. Metal lathing with vermiculite-gypsum or perlite-gypsum plaster of thickness of--32221612.5
2. Metal lathing finished with neat gypsum plaster of thickness of----1912.5
3. Gypsum plasterboard 19mm thick with 1.6 mm wire binding at 100mm pitch finished with gypsum-vermiculite plaster of thickness of--22161010

Note:

* - Solid protection means a casing which is bedded close to the alloy without intervening cavities and with all joints in that casing made full and solid

+ - Hollow protection means that there is a void between the protected material and the alloy. All hollow protection to columns shall be effectively sealed at each floor level

 

A8.0: TIMBER FLOORS