High-Rise Fires: How Safe Are We? | Talking Point

High-Rise Fire Safety in Singapore: A Detailed Analysis

Key Concepts:

• PMDs (Personal Mobility Devices): Electric scooters, bicycles, and mobility aids – increasingly common but prone to battery fires.
• BMS (Battery Management System): A safety feature in certified batteries that monitors and prevents overcharging/damage.
• Fire Compartmentation: Design principles in HDBs to contain fires within a unit and prevent spread.
• Refuge Floors: Designated floors in high-rise buildings (40+ floors) for temporary evacuation and safe descent.
• Wet Risers: Firefighting water supply systems within buildings.
• HDB (Housing & Development Board): Singapore’s public housing authority.

I. The Context: Recent Fires and Rising Concerns

The recent fire in Hong Kong, resulting in 168 deaths and 79 injuries, has prompted concerns about fire safety in Singapore’s high-rise residential buildings. Approximately 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, with an increasing number exceeding 30 stories – 32 blocks are between 41-50 stories, and 162 between 31-40 stories. Residential fires in Singapore have increased from 968 in 2024 to 1051 in 2025, averaging roughly three fires per day. This rise in density and potential fire hazards necessitates a thorough examination of existing safety measures.

II. Case Study: Vincent Peter’s Experience & PMD-Related Fires

On November 4th, 2025, Vincent Peter experienced a fire in his eighth-story HDB flat in Armo. He awoke to his daughter’s shouts of “Father, father, fire, fire!” and discovered a blaze originating from the lift lobby. He briefly used water to cool the flames, allowing his family to evacuate while he rescued his two dogs. The fire was attributed to a PMD that had been parked in the area for six months, with a discarded cigarette butt suspected as the ignition source. The fire damaged the front door and windows of multiple units, leading to the evacuation of 200 residents and four hospitalizations for smoke inhalation. This incident highlights the dangers of PMDs and improper disposal of smoking materials.

III. The Growing Threat of PMD Fires

PMD-related fires are a significant and escalating concern. The number of PMD fires has risen from 42 in 2022 to 55 in 2023 and 67 in 2024. The primary cause is identified as the battery packs. A battery manufacturer, Kenneth Tay, has been raising awareness about these dangers for the past five years. He emphasizes that the battery is the flammable component of a PMD.

• Battery Modification & Overheating: Batteries designed for electric bicycles have power capacity limits. Modifying batteries and exceeding these limits can lead to thin wires, cell malfunction, and overheating, potentially causing explosions.
• BMS Bypass: Certified PMDs include a Battery Management System (BMS) that prevents overcharging and disables the device if damage or modification is detected. However, individuals are removing the BMS and directly connecting wires to the battery terminals, effectively bypassing safety features.
• Secondhand Market Risks: Modified batteries are often purchased from secondhand marketplaces at lower prices, with buyers unaware of the risks. Compliant batteries undergo rigorous testing and are sold through approved channels.

IV. Technical Analysis of Battery Failure & Demonstration

A burn trial conducted by Senior Forensic Scientist Shik Muhammad Anise demonstrated the rapid escalation of a PMD battery fire. Tampering with the battery disables its ability to stop overcharging, leading to internal instability, heat generation, and ultimately, an explosion.

• Rapid Fire Spread: The demonstration showed a fast-spreading fire with projectile ejection of battery cells, unlike traditional fires that spread more slowly. This poses a significant risk of igniting surrounding materials.
• Toxic Gas Emission: The burning battery released substantial smoke and toxic gases, highlighting the danger of inhalation in confined spaces.
• Data: Between 2022 and 2025, over 70% of PMD fires involved non-tested, non-certified, or tampered devices. PMD-related fires represent 5% of residential fires but account for over 10% of injuries and 25% of fatalities.

V. HDB Fire Safety Design & Features

Singapore’s HDB flats are designed with fire safety as a core principle, with continuous improvements over time.

• Fire Compartmentation: HDBs utilize fire-resistant concrete walls (withstanding 1-2 hours of fire) to contain fires within individual units. Fire-rated doors (30 minutes to 1 hour) are installed at the main entrance to further compartmentalize the building.
• Corridor Design: External corridors are designed with openings to allow smoke to dissipate, providing a clearer escape path.
• Kitchen Window Design: A non-combustible wall section adjacent to the kitchen window minimizes vertical flame spread from lower floors.
• Ledges: Ledges between units further impede vertical fire spread.
• Mandatory Smoke Alarms: All homes in Singapore are required to have smoke alarms since 2018, with ongoing upgrades for older flats.
• Common Fire Provisions: Each floor is equipped with fire hose reels and firefighting risers (wet risers) providing a water supply for firefighting operations. Lifesavers emergency points, containing fire extinguishers and AEDs, are located in every two blocks.

VI. High-Rise Specific Safety Measures (40+ Floors)

For buildings exceeding 40 floors, additional safety measures are implemented:

• Evacuation Strategy: Evacuation is limited to the affected floor and two floors above, rather than a full building evacuation, to avoid dangerous overcrowding in stairwells.
• Refuge Floors: Designated refuge floors (every 20th floor) connect blocks, providing clear pathways and natural ventilation for temporary evacuation and safe descent via lifts. Town councils are encouraged to provide information about refuge floor locations.

VII. Future Considerations & Government Response

The government is exploring stricter penalties for owners and retailers of non-compliant PMDs. However, a proactive approach is needed to address the root causes of PMD fires.

• Specialized Charging Spots: The video concludes with a suggestion to create specialized charging spots at void decks to mitigate the risk of PMD fires.
• Increased Awareness: Continued public education about the dangers of modified batteries and the importance of purchasing certified PMDs is crucial.

Conclusion:

Singapore’s HDBs incorporate robust fire safety features, but the increasing prevalence of PMDs and the risks associated with battery modification pose a growing threat. A multi-faceted approach, including stricter regulations, enhanced enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and innovative solutions like dedicated charging spots, is essential to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise living environments. The demonstration of a battery fire vividly illustrates the speed and intensity of these incidents, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive safety measures.