Today, Fire Safety Managers (FSM) have become instrumental in significantly improving fire safety standards within buildings in Singapore. The need for building owners to appoint a Fire Safety Manager is mainly due to the Fire Safety Manager Scheme, which has gained wide publicity since the Fire Safety Act (FSA) and Fire Safety (Fire Safety Manager) Regulations passed and ultimately has now become mandatory.

Although appointing a Fire Safety Manager is mainly done for compliance purposes, building owners should not discount the value they bring in helping prevent loss of life, property, and finances resulting from a fire outbreak. Below, we take a look at a summary of the general duties of a Fire Safety Manager and the vital role they play.

What is a Fire Safety Manager?

Before we explore the duties and responsibilities of a Fire Safety Manager, we first have to understand what the role really means. In essence, a Fire Safety Manager is a safety specialist who is in charge of managing the upkeep of fire safety systems and procedures at a specific building, facility, or worksite. Because of this, Fire Safety Managers often have to work together with various individuals, and in some cases, supervise their activities to safeguard lives and properties.

In Singapore, this title may not be used unless an official certification is provided by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Local Fire Safety Managers are also required to continually upgrade their skills and knowledge by attending courses or workshops to accumulate FSM CPD points. In order to for an individual to retain their FSM certification in Singapore, they must attain a minimum of 30 CPD points over a span of 3 years.

Main Duties of a Fire Safety Manager

Here is a brief summary of the duties a Fire Safety Manager in Singapore would have to take on, in order to ensure that the fire safety standards are met.

• Ensure compliance with all the fire safety requirements dictated within the Emergency Response Plan at all times

• Oversee the maintenance works of all fire safety instruments within the building

• Ensure that the number of occupants within any part of the building stays within capacity as dictated in the Fire Code

• Perform daily checks on the building and remove the fire hazards discovered within the premises or cause them to be removed

• Develop and execute an Emergency Response Evacuation Plan specific for the building and disseminate it to all its occupants, as well as conduct at least two fire drills for them annually or on such occasion as may be directed by the Commissioner

• Make sure that every occupant is familiar with the locations and paths of all the means of escape inside the premises

• Prepare and provide the occupants with fire safety guidebooks

• Train the occupants on the subjects of first aid, firefighting, and evacuation in case of fire

• Coordinate with and supervise the occupants in firefighting and evacuation in case of fire or other similar emergencies

• Develop and implement an Arson Prevention Plan for the premises

• Supervise Fire Command Centre operations in case of fire or other similar emergencies

• Conduct at least two tabletop exercises within the premises annually and, alongside the building’s Fire Safety Committee, evaluate the Fire Emergency Plan and Arson Prevention Plan developed for those buildings

• Immediately inform the Commissioner in the event of a fire incident within the premises

• Make arrangements and conduct training courses, campaigns, contests, competitions, and other activities that help develop and maintain the occupants’ interest in establishing a fire-safe environment

Conclusion

Thanks to the Fire Safety Manager Scheme, buildings have now significantly reduced fire risk levels through the efforts of an FSM to improve their fire safety standards. Moreover, by fulfilling their role effectively, property owners and the occupants of their buildings also gain greater fire safety awareness from participating in essential fire prevention and fire safety activities.

If you are looking to improve your skills in fire safety management inSingapore or are a Fire Safety Manager hoping to gain and accumulate CDP points, we are here to help. TenLearn is a platform that hosts SCDF-approved Fire Safety Manager (CPD Programme) courses that touch on a variety of topics on all things fire safety – from evacuation planning to executing tabletop exercises. With all our courses being conveniently delivered online, you can start learning anytime, from the comfort of your own home!

Browse our catalogue for a fire safety course in Singapore today or contact us for more information.