Last updated: 28 Jan 2015
This was done as one of my assignments during my five-month internship with Republic Polytechnic's Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM).
This was done as one of my assignments during my five-month internship with Republic Polytechnic's Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM).
Click on the processes in the flow chart to go to its corresponding paragraph.
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| Overall process |
The guidelines and regulations here assume that the warehouse is storing ‘general goods’ (i.e. non-food, non-chemical products).
There are two initial steps available:
- Building one from scratch OR
- Using an old premise , in which case the premise might have to be converted before it could be used for warehousing.
1.1 BUILDING A NEW WAREHOUSE FROM SCRATCH
1.1.1 Application for approval of building plans with Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
The objective of the Building Control Act is “to ensure building works comply with standards of safety, amenity and matters of public policy as prescribed in the Building Control Act and Building Control Regulations.”
As stipulated by the Building Control Act, building plans are to be submitted by a Qualified Person (QP), “a person who is registered as an Architect with the Board of Architects or a Professional Engineer with the Professional Engineers Board.”
In the Third Schedule of the Building Control Regulations, the appropriate QP for preparing and signing the plans of building works for warehouses must be a professional engineer or an architect, but the structural plans are to be prepared by a professional engineer.
For more details, you may refer to the following references for the submission of application for approval of building plans:
- Building Control Act (Chapter 29)
- Building Control Regulations
- Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations
- Only applicable if other temporary buildings (e.g. workers’ quarters, site office, store, builders’ shed etc.) are to be erected besides the warehouse.
- Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment
- To take into consideration people with mobility disabilities working in the warehouse.
- Guidelines on Envelope Thermal Transfer Value for Buildings
- Thermal envelope refers to the shell of a building as a barrier to unwanted heat transfer between the interior of the building and the outside conditions. The information here is very technical, more for the engineer to know.
- Code of Practice on Buildable Design/Buildability
- Responsibility of the parties (e.g. engineers, architects) engaged in the design and construction of the building.
In addition, according to the Code of Practice on Pollution Control, if the warehouse is to be located within unprotected water catchments, it is not allowed to store hazardous or polluting substances.
1.2 USING AN OLD PREMISE
Conditions
First and foremost, warehousing activities must only be carried out in premises zoned for industrial use. These premises are categorised as Business 1 or Business 2, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
- Business 1: nuisance buffer is 50m or less (i.e. clean and light industries)
- Business 2: nuisance buffer is more than 50m but still within health and safety buffers (i.e. general industries)
1.2.1 Converting the premise
If the previous premise is not already used for a warehouse, a Change of Use approval is required. [FYI: Warehouse is classified as Class X (i.e. Class 10) under the URA.] A Change of Use could be applied using the Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS) here.
In addition, the URA 60:40 rule must be adhered. At least 60% of the gross floor area (GFA) is to be used only for industrial activities (in this case, warehouse usage). The remaining 40% could be used for other purposes (e.g. office, communal facilities). GFA refers to the total cumulative area of all buildings within the same premise.
[FYI: the 60:40 rule was enacted to ensure that industrial land is used predominantly for industrial activities, as industrial space had been increasingly used for other purposes instead e.g. offices, commercial schools, training centres.]
2. APPLIES FOR BOTH CHOICES
2.1 Renovation
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| Renovation; application for TOP/CSC |
Most of the time, major renovations would be required. In this case a building work permit is to be applied through the BCA. After renovation works are done, a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) or a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) needs to be obtained from BCA before the space could be occupied. All renovation works must be performed by certified/licensed contractors.
The CSC is granted only when all requirements have been complied with. If only certain requirements are met, a TOP must be applied first. Thereafter, when all the requirements are complied, the CSC may be obtained. (For the list of requirements, refer to the BCA website on Application For Occupation Of Building Works—CSC)
Additionally, the Code of Practice: Street Work Proposals Relating to Development Works, LTA stipulates the recommended width and turning kerb radius of an entrance/exit driveway which a warehouse should have:
- Recommended clear width of access: 10.0m to 12.0m
- Recommended turning kerb radius: 6.0m to 8.0m
2.2 Fire Certificate
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| Application for Fire Certificate |
Under the Fire Safety Act, building owners and their QP are required to apply and obtain a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) or a Temporary Fire Permit (TFP) before using or occupying the premise.
The FSC is only issued after full completion of all fire safety works in the project. Alternatively, a TFP may be obtained for a limited period to use the premise before obtaining the FSC. The TFP is issued when the fire safety works of the project has been satisfactorily completed with very minor outstanding issues left to be complied with. The usual maximum timeframe given to obtain the FSC after issuance of the TFP is 6 months.
(Refer to the section Fire Safety for the fire safety guidelines as provided in the SCDF Fire Code.)
No fee is charged for the application of a FSC or TFP. The application has to be submitted online through the CORENET e-Submission System here. The details of the procedure of FSC/TFP application could be found at the SCDF website here.
After the FSC or TFP is issued (whichever is first), a Fire Certificate (FC) must be obtained within 12 months. In applying for the FC, you are required to mail the completed FC application forms to SCDF.
After applying for the FC, you are required to arrange for a Professional Engineer (PE) and contractor to carry out pre-testing. Refer to the table below for the category of PE to endorse on the various types of fire protection system.
Category of PE for various types of fire protection system
| Type of System | Discipline of PE |
| Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning | · Mechanical or Electrical (up to 1311) |
| Automatic fire alarm | · Mechanical or Electrical |
| Automatic sprinklers | · Mechanical or Civil or Chemical (up to 1311) |
| Wet risers | · Mechanical or Civil or Structural (up to 1311) |
| Gas suppression systems | · Mechanical or Electrical |
| Fixed water spray/Foam | · Mechanical or Civil or Chemical (up to 1311) |
After the application for the FC is in order, SCDF will make an appointment with you for an inspection of the warehouse. The pre-testing report, together with the FC application forms, has to be sent to SCDF before the inspection date.
- It can either be submitted manually to the following address:
- Or it could be submitted online here.
The revised FC fee of $11 per storey is to be paid.
For more details on FC application, refer to the SCDF website here.
2.3 Workplace Safety and Health Act
The Workplace Safety and Health Act covers the responsibilities of the various stakeholders. The MOM website details the responsibilities and penalties here.
Risk management is an important part of ensuring workplace safety. The requirements for workplace risk management are stipulated under the Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations, one of which states that: “In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who may be affected by his undertaking in the workplace.”
Risk assessments should be conducted on a regular basis by a risk assessment team. The forms for conducting risk assessment could be found on the MOM website here.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council has a Code of Practice on Workplace Safety and Health(WSH) Risk Management, which guides you on how to manage workplace risk and fulfil your legal obligations as an employer.
3. Fire safety
The guidelines are in accordance with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Fire Code. The tables referenced below can be found in Appendix 4. [FYI: the Fire Code is defined as “the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings” under the Fire Safety Act.]
3.1 Compartment size
The maximum allowable dimensions of the compartment size in the warehouse are subject to the type of fire protection (with or without sprinkler) and location of the warehouse. Refer to Table 1 for the measurements.
3.2 Sprinkler protection
If the compartment of the warehouse exceeds the maximum allowable size stipulated in Table 1, an automatic sprinkler system must be installed. Coverage of the sprinklers must also include any area covered by platforms/mezzanines.
3.3 Storage height control
Maximum allowable height and minimum clearance below the sprinkler heads has to be in accordance with CP52 (code of practice for automatic fire sprinkler system) stipulated by the Singapore Standards Council.
A 50mm wide red line is to be drawn around the wall with a signage indicating “No Storage Above This Line”. The signage has to be provided on the walls of the warehouse, including the loading/unloading area, at no more than 30m apart along the red line. The lettering of the sign is to be at least 100mm.
Height control at temporary storage area (loading/unloading area) must comply with Table 1A [Extract from Table 21(A) of CP52] (code of practice for automatic fire sprinkler system). For non-sprinkler protected warehouse, the storage height is limited to 2.5m.
3.4 Smoke control
The type of smoke control to be installed is dependent on the compartment size and whether the warehouse is sprinkler protected. Refer to Table 2 for the smoke control requirements.
Smoke control may be in any of following three types:
- smoke vent
- smoke purging system
- engineered smoke control system
3.4.1 Smoke vent
Smoke vent must be of permanent open type. Glass blocks or panels must not be used unless they are designed to be activated automatically.
Minimum dimensions
| Vertical smoke vent | 400mm (length) * 600mm (height) |
| Horizontal smoke vent (roof or ceiling) | 0.25m2 in area |
The smoke vent opening must adhere to the stipulated measurements in Table 2 or Table 2A.
No area in the warehouse must be more than the stipulated distance (Tables 2 or 2A) measured horizontally away from any vertical or horizontal smoke vent.
All smoke vents must be located at the highest unobstructed level along the perimeter walls of the warehouse.
3.4.2 Smoke purging system
A smoke purging system may replace smoke vents only if the warehouse is sprinkler-protected. The smoke purging system must comply with clause 7.1.9 of the Fire Code.
3.4.3 Engineered smoke control
Must be provided if the floor area of the compartment is more than 5000m2 (aboveground warehouses) or 2000m2 (belowground warehouses).
The system must be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements stipulated in clause 7.6 of the Fire Code, or equivalent standards approved by the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD).
3.5 Fire extinguisher
To be provided in accordance with SS 578 (code of practice for use and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers) as stipulated by the Singapore Standards Council under SPRING Singapore.
3.6 Overview of Fire Safety Measures
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| Non-sprinkler protected |
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| Sprinkler protected |
| Statutes referenced |
| Building and Construction Authority (BCA) |
| Building Control Act (Chapter 29 of Singapore Statutes) |
| Building Control Regulations |
| Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations |
| Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment |
| Guidelines on Envelope Thermal Transfer Value for Buildings |
| Code of Practice on Buildable Design/Buildability |
| Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) |
| Code of Practice on Pollution Control |
| Land Transport Authority (LTA) |
| Code of Practice: Street Work Proposals Relating to Development Works |
| Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) |
| Fire Safety Act |
| Fire Code |
| Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| Workplace Safety and Health Act |
| Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations |
| Good practices and standards |
| Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) |
| Fire Code |
| MOM (Ministry of Manpower) |
| Workplace safety and health best practices |
| Building and Construction Standards Committee—Singapore Standards Council |
| Code of practice for automatic fire sprinkler system |
| Code of practice for use and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers |
| Alternatively, you may wish to refer to this summary of the procedures, time and cost to build a warehouse in Singapore done by the World Bank Group. |
