The investigation came after SCDF found that the composite panels used at an industrial building at 30 Toh Guan Road (pictured), which caught fire in May and resulted to the death of one person, were not of Class ‘0’ standard as required under the Fire Code. (Photo: Cambridge Industrial Trust)
An investigation on 40 buildings in Singapore showed that 14 of the 19 buildings tested fell short of fire safety standards, revealed the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) on Thursday (24 August).
The investigation came after SCDF found that the composite panels used at an industrial building at 30 Toh Guan Road, which caught fire in May and resulted to the death of one person, were not of Class ‘0’ standard as required under the Fire Code.
Among the buildings that were found to have used non-Class “0” claddings include The Peak @ Cairnhill I and II condominiums, Teaching Blocks 1 to 10 of Singapore Polytechnic, JTC CleanTech Two, 321 Clementi mall and Our Tampines Hub.
The other 21 buildings are yet to be tested.
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SCDF, however, explained that all buildings are safe for occupancy. In fact, the building owners are working closely with them to rectify the improper use of composite panels within two months.
Three buildings – Clementi Fire Station and two McDonald’s outlets – that were also found to be non-compliant had the affected claddings removed, it said.
Meanwhile, Singapore Polytechnic said the matter was brought to their attention by the authorities on Wednesday, reported Today Online.
“The contractor who had supplied and installed the cladding panels — which are supposed to be in compliance with the Fire Code — will be responsible for the rectification,” said its spokesperson, without naming the contractor.
And while SCDF had assured them that the affected buildings are still fit and safe for occupancy, the school is “taking immediate action to address the issue and rectify the matter as soon as possible”, added the spokesperson.
This article was edited by Denise Djong.
