Singapore’s New Scaffold Fire Safety Rules: Evacuation and Burn First Aid

01Understand the announced implementation dates

• 1 January 2027: permitted timber scaffold use reduces from nine months to three months, with case-by-case exemptions possible.
• 1 March 2027: netting enveloping scaffolds outside buildings must meet specified fire-retardant standards for projects awarded on or after this date, regardless of scaffold material.
• 1 March 2028: fire-retardant netting must also have certification from Singapore Accreditation Council-accredited certification bodies.

Project teams should check procurement, schedules and compliance documentation against the announced scope. Do not assume one implementation date applies to every change.

02Make evacuation workable during building works

The WSH Council’s fire risk guidance highlights escape routes, emergency exits, assembly points, accessible fire protection equipment and effective communication. These arrangements deserve a fresh check whenever site conditions change.

Walk the route with someone unfamiliar with the project. Can they identify the exit without asking a supervisor? Would temporary barriers, deliveries or stored equipment make the route confusing? Record practical problems and assign someone to resolve them.

For occupied buildings, coordinate with building management so workers understand the applicable evacuation arrangements. Include visitors, subcontractors and people who may need assistance. A plan should explain who communicates with each group.

03Provide burn first aid in a safe area

Begin treatment only after you and the casualty are clear of immediate danger. A first aid kit beside an unsafe work area does not make that area suitable for treatment.

SingHealth’s burn guidance recommends the following:

1. Cool: use cool or lukewarm running water for 10–20 minutes. Do not apply ice or ice-cold water.
2. Remove constricting items: gently remove jewellery and tight clothing before swelling develops. Leave clothing stuck to the burn in place.
3. Cover: after cooling, use a clean, non-stick dressing. Avoid cotton wool and other fluffy materials.
4. Avoid home remedies: do not apply butter, oil or toothpaste, and do not burst blisters.

SCDF’s published burns guidance similarly emphasises cooling, removing constrictors, covering and consulting a doctor, with 995 for severe burns.

04Recognise when professional help is urgent

Call 995 for severe burns or breathing difficulty after a fire. Follow the dispatcher’s advice; do not delay the call while trying to complete cooling.

SingHealth advises emergency department assessment for electrical or strong chemical burns, burns involving the face or genitalia, charred burns and areas larger than one palm. Burns with blisters warrant GP or polyclinic assessment.

These care thresholds do not mean every burn requiring hospital assessment needs an emergency ambulance. SCDF lists slight burns and scalds among examples of non-emergency conditions.

05Test the handover between evacuation and first aid

Rehearse a simple scenario: a worker reaches the assembly area with a burn while a colleague reports someone missing. Who calls 995, who stays with the casualty, and who gives the headcount to responders?

Use the exercise to check whether response roles conflict. Ask participants to demonstrate where they would obtain water and dressings, rather than simply naming the supplies.

Choose training for your response role

Pair practical training with your site’s procedures. Course selection should match the person’s appointment and your organisation’s needs.

Sources checked on 11 October 2026. Featured image is an editorial illustration, not a documented incident.