Goh Pei Ming on Civil Defence Shelter and Fire Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill

A Bill put up for debate in parliament on Tuesday (Sep 8) empowers the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to take action against errant parties in the supply chain for bomb shelter products. It introduces new offences - for example, against accredited laboratories that issue false test reports, suppliers who pass off non-compliant products as certified ones and installers who fit products in a way that undermines the safe functioning of a shelter. The SCDF will be able to direct relevant parties to send shelter products for testing or address problems caused by non-compliant products, and enter premises such as a supplier’s warehouse. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming said that while there have been no non-compliant cases to date, this is an anticipatory move to preserve public safety. Separately, a class licensing regime will be introduced for storage of lower-risk petroleum and flammable materials at construction sites, petrol stations, some laboratories and buildings that store diesel for emergency generators. The Bill also clarifies liability for the obstruction of fire safety measures outside buildings, such as fire engine access roads.