Updated Scaffold Fire Safety Requirements

Strengthening Scaffold Fire Safety

1.           Scaffold fires can spread rapidly across combustible materials such as timber and scaffold netting, posing risks to workers, residents, emergency responders and members of the public. To strengthen scaffold fire safety, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will introduce new requirements to shorten the permissible duration of timber scaffolds and strengthen the fire-retardant specifications for scaffold netting.

Shorter Permissible Duration for Timber Scaffolds

2.           As announced previously, from 1 January 2027, the permissible duration for the use of timber scaffolds will be reduced from nine months to three months to mitigate fire risks arising from the prolonged presence of combustible timber materials. Exemptions may be granted on a case‑by‑case basis where the use of timber scaffolds beyond three months is required under extenuating circumstances, such as technical constraints that prevent the use of alternative types of scaffolds.

Mandatory Fire-Retardant Scaffold Netting

3.           From 1 March 2027, scaffold netting used to envelop scaffolds erected outside buildings must meet fire-retardant specifications set by the Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health, thereby reducing the risk of flame spread in the event of a fire. The requirement will apply to projects awarded on or after 1 March 2027, regardless of the material used for the scaffold. Manufacturers, suppliers, scaffold contractors and occupiers of the workplace will be responsible for ensuring that the netting meets the required specifications.

4.           Based on a joint review conducted by MOM and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health will accept scaffold netting that meets any one of the recognised fire test standards under the British Standards, Japanese Industrial Standards, and the National Fire Protection Association of the United States [i].

5.           From 1 March 2028, fire-retardant scaffold netting must also be certified by certification bodies accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council, in accordance with specifications set by the Commissioner. This will provide independent third-party verification of product compliance. Further details will be shared ahead of implementation.

Building Safer Workplaces Through Stronger Scaffold Fire Safety Measures

6.           Employers and industry stakeholders should review their project schedules, procurement arrangements and contractual obligations early to ensure compliance with the new requirements. They should remain vigilant against scaffold fire risks by maintaining fire safety systems, keeping firefighting provisions and access routes unobstructed, and keeping combustible materials and potential ignition sources away from scaffolding and netting. MOM will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that these changes are implemented effectively and that safety remains a shared priority across the construction sector.