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How to Ensure Your Renovation Meets the New HDB and SCDF Requirements
As of October 9th, 2024 Homeowners and Renovators in Singapore who are planning renovations, especially when it comes to digital lock installations, need to follow new guidelines issued by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). These guidelines mandate that all digital locksets must be certified with a Certificate of Conformity (COC) to SS 332/EN 1634-1 standards, ensuring they are fire-rated for safety.
If you’re planning a renovation, especially involving a digital lock installation, this article will guide you through ensuring your project meets these new HDB and SCDF requirements.
1. Introduction to New SCDF Guidelines
The SCDF has introduced stricter rules for the installation of digital locks in Singapore homes. According to that any digital lock installed in fire rated door must be certified with a COC to comply with SS 332/EN 1634-1 standards. This certification ensures the lock is fire-rated, meaning it will perform properly during a fire emergency, preventing the spread of fire.
2. Why Fire-Rated Digital Locks Matter
As per SCDF’s latest regulations, if you are installing a fire-rated door, you must also install a COC-certified fire-rated digital lock. These locks are required to prevent fire from spreading beyond the room for a specific period, usually 30 to 60 minutes, to comply with fire containment standards.
By ensuring your lock meets SCDF’s requirements, you’re following the mandatory rules for home renovations involving fire-rated doors.
3. Choosing the Right Certified Contractors
Hiring a contractor who understands the new HDB and SCDF rules is crucial. Not all contractors are aware of the certification requirements for fire-rated digital locks, which is why it’s essential to ask for proof that the locks they plan to install are COC-certified.
Be sure to verify their experience in installing fire-rated doors and locks that comply with the updated regulations. HDDoor, for example, offers a wide selection of COC-certified digital locks, ensuring you meet the mandatory requirements with ease.
4. Permit Process: What You Need to Know
For certain renovations, especially involving structural changes or the installation of new fire-rated doors, an HDB renovation permit is required. Make sure to follow the correct procedures by submitting a proper renovation application. Incorrect use of uncoded renovation items, such as using the ‘others’ category in the application, may delay the approval process.
To avoid these delays, your contractor should be well-versed in the permit application process, ensuring that your renovation is approved without unnecessary hurdles. For more details on HDB door and gate renovation guidelines, check out our previous blog
5. Certification of Digital Locksets
All digital locksets installed alongside fire-rated doors must be certified with a Certificate of Conformity (COC). This certificate confirms that the lock meets the SS 332/EN 1634-1 standards required by SCDF. Without this certification, your renovation will not comply with the latest fire safety regulations, putting you at risk of penalties or renovation delays.
HDDoor offers a selection of digital locks from top brands that are already certified, saving you time and ensuring you meet the standards right from the start.
6. How to Check Certification Bodies (CBs)
To ensure the locks you choose meet SCDF’s fire safety standards, always check the certification of the product with recognized Certification Bodies (CBs). The following CBs are accredited and recognized by SCDF:
- TUV SUD PSB Pte Ltd
- SETSCO Services Pte Ltd
- Element Testing Services (S) Pte Ltd
- Singapore Test Lab Pte Ltd
- UL International-Singapore Pte Ltd
These CBs certify regulated fire safety products, ensuring they meet SCDF’s stringent requirements. You can check the product directories of these CBs to confirm the certification status of any digital locks you are considering.
7. Common Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is failing to ensure their digital locks are COC-certified before installation. This oversight can result in additional costs and delays, as you may need to replace non-compliant locks after installation.
To avoid this, always request certification details from your contractor before proceeding with the installation.
The final step in your renovation process is selecting the right certified locks. HDDoor offers a wide range of COC-certified digital locks from brands like Hafele, Solity, Philips, Igloohome, Zigbang (formerly known as Samsung) and Aqara which fully comply with SCDF regulations. By choosing one of these, you ensure your renovation is both compliant and of the highest quality.
