PART IV | Compliance with design and construction requirements |
| 26. Subject to the Act and regulation 27, all buildings shall be designed and all building works shall be carried out in compliance with the objectives and performance requirements set out in the Fifth Schedule and any other requirement in these Regulations. |
27.—(1) The Commissioner of Building Control may issue, in such form as he thinks fit, and from time to time amend, one or more Approved Documents setting out the specifications, materials, designs or methods of construction (referred to in these Regulations as acceptable solutions) which shall, without prejudice to any alternative means of achieving compliance, be deemed to comply with the relevant objectives and performance requirements set out in the Fifth Schedule for the design and construction of buildings or endorse, in whole or in part, any document for use in establishing compliance with the requirements of these Regulations.| (2) The plans of any building works that are prepared in accordance with the acceptable solutions and any building works carried out in accordance with the acceptable solutions shall be deemed to comply with the relevant objectives and performance requirements set out in the Fifth Schedule. |
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28. Where any building is required to be provided with a household shelter, public shelter or storey shelter under the Civil Defence Shelter Act 1997, the shelter shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following applicable technical codes issued by the Commissioner of Civil Defence under section 14 of that Act:| (a) | Technical Requirements for Household Shelters; | | (aa) | Technical Requirements for Storey Shelters; [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] | | (b) | Technical Requirements for S1-S5 Public Shelters; | | (c) | Technical Requirements for S6-S9 Public Shelters; [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] | | (d) | Technical Requirements for S10-S29 Public Shelters; [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] | | (e) | CD Shelter Requirements for MRT Stations. [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] [S 579/2022 wef 31/12/2021] |
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| 29.—(1) No person shall, without the permission of the Commissioner of Building Control, install any lift or escalator in any building. [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] | (2) The Commissioner of Building Control may grant permission to a person to install a lift or an escalator in a building subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit to impose and such terms and conditions shall be complied with by that person. [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] |
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30.—(1) Where —| (a) | any builder appointed under section 8(1) of the Act intends to —| (i) | erect or demolish any building; | | (ii) | alter or repair an outer part of any building; | | (iii) | carry out any foundation works or basement excavation including any temporary retaining works; or | | (iv) | carry out any site formation works; and [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
| | (b) | such works are likely to cause obstruction or inconvenience to or endanger members of the public, |
| the builder shall, before commencing such works, erect or cause to be erected protective hoardings or other similar temporary structures of solid and robust construction to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Building Control in order to separate the building or the entire site where such works are intended to be carried out from a street, footway or any adjoining or adjacent property. |
| (2) Where the building under construction, demolition, alteration or repair is more than one storey in height and abuts or is near a street or other buildings, the builder shall provide catch platforms, safety nettings and other measures for the safety of the public. [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] |
(3) The builder must, in relation to —| (a) | the protective hoardings and other similar temporary structures mentioned in paragraph (1); and | | (b) | the catch platforms, safety nettings and other measures for the safety of the public mentioned in paragraph (2), |
| comply with regulation 20 of the Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations 2018 (G.N. No. S 807/2018). |
[S 808/2018 wef 01/03/2019] |
| (4) The builder must, within such time as may be specified by the Commissioner of Building Control, take such steps, precautions or safety measures as required by the Commissioner of Building Control in relation to a protective structure and must do so to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Building Control. [S 808/2018 wef 01/03/2019] |
| (5) On completion of the building works, the builder must remove or cause to be removed all protective structures erected for the building works, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Building Control. [S 808/2018 wef 01/03/2019] |
| (6) In this regulation, “protective structure” means a protective hoarding (and footways, if any) or other similar temporary structure mentioned in paragraph (1) or a catch platform, safety netting and other safety measure mentioned in paragraph (2). [S 808/2018 wef 01/03/2019] |
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31.—(1) Where foundation, tunnels, site formation (including excavations) or related earthworks are proposed to be constructed or carried out on any premises, an investigation of the site shall be undertaken by the qualified person appointed under section 8(1)(a) or 11(1)(d)(i) of the Act in respect of the structural elements of the relevant building works in order to establish the type and character of the ground and groundwater conditions on which the foundations, tunnels, site formation (including excavations) or earthworks are to be constructed or carried out.(2) Whenever any site investigation is to be carried out, the qualified person appointed under section 8(1)(a) or 11(1)(d)(i) of the Act shall carry out proper and adequate site investigation —| (a) | in accordance with the relevant standards and codes of practice; [S 709/2017 wef 31/12/2018] | | (b) | by conducting adequate investigation boreholes and other appropriate investigation means, in-situ field tests and laboratory tests to establish the ground and groundwater conditions, their variability and the geotechnical aspects for the works to be carried out; and [S 709/2017 wef 31/12/2018] | | (c) | by ensuring that all site investigation works are carried out by an accredited inspection body approved by the Singapore Accreditation Council under the Council’s scheme for Accreditation of Inspection Bodies for Site Investigation. [S 709/2017 wef 31/12/2018] |
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| (3) Whenever any site investigation is to be carried out in respect of the building works, the qualified person appointed under section 8(1)(a) or 11(1)(d)(i) of the Act shall submit the site investigation reports to the Commissioner of Building Control and in accordance with paragraph (4). |
| (4) All site investigation reports shall contain field and laboratory data, and tests and results, and shall be accompanied by a certificate from an appropriate professional engineer who, having carried out, supervised or directed the site investigation, certifies that he has verified the accuracy of the information given in the site investigation report. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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32.—(1) Where any demolition of any building, or any piling or foundation works, any tunnelling works, or any site formation works (including excavation works) are to be constructed or carried out, the builder shall, before commencing such works, carry out a pre-construction survey to establish the condition of existing buildings and structures adjacent or in otherwise close proximity to the building works.| (2) Before the building works commence, the builder shall give to each owner of every existing building and structure adjacent or in otherwise close proximity to the building works a copy of the report of a pre-construction survey carried out under paragraph (1) (referred to as the pre-construction survey report) on the owner’s property. |
| (3) The builder shall keep at the site a complete set of all the pre-construction survey reports of pre-construction surveys carried out under paragraph (1) by the builder. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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| 33.—(1) The report of any investigation under regulation 31 or 32 shall contain recommendations on the measures to be taken in connection with the construction or carrying out of any demolition of a building, any piling or foundation works, any tunnelling works, or any site formation works (including excavation works) so as to prevent any settlement or other movement which may impair the stability of or cause damage to the whole or part of any premises or building adjacent or in otherwise close proximity to the building works. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] | (2) The builder must carry out every measure mentioned in paragraph (1). [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] |
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| Measures to protect trenches and pits |
| 34. The builder appointed shall take measures to ensure that the trenches and pits at the site are adequately protected against erosion, failure and instability at all times. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
| Formation of new slope or embankment |
| 34A. Where the building works result in the formation of a new slope or embankment, the qualified person appointed under section 8(1)(a) or 11(1)(d)(i) of the Act shall determine and ascertain the integrity and stability of the new slope or embankment; and where appropriate, provide or cause to be provided a retaining wall or other earth retaining structure, or protective measures to stabilise the new slope or embankment. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] [S 101/2020 wef 10/02/2020] |
| 35.—(1) The builder shall provide or cause to be provided, and shall maintain, proper and adequate drainage for all excavations as long as the excavations continue. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | (2) Where any lowering of the water table is envisaged, the builder shall carry out or cause to be carried out adequate provisions to ensure that the lowering of the water table will not cause any damage to surrounding structures, roads and other properties. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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| Protection of foundations and excavations |
| 36.—(1) The builder shall provide or cause to be provided earth retaining structures to protect the sides of all foundations or excavations for any building works so as to prevent any settlement or other movement which may impair the stability of or cause damage to the whole or part of any adjoining premises or building. [S 101/2020 wef 10/02/2020] | (2) The supervising qualified person appointed in respect of any building works shall regularly inspect the excavations and earth retaining structures referred to in paragraph (1) comprised in the building works and the builder shall maintain their safe condition at all times as long as the excavations remain. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] [S 101/2020 wef 10/02/2020] |
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| Instrumentation and monitoring results |
37.—(1) Where required, the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of any building works shall provide to the Commissioner of Building Control the results of any instrumentation monitoring carried out on the site of the building works.(2) The supervising qualified person appointed in respect of any building works shall —| (a) | regularly inspect all instrumentation for monitoring, including any settlement or movement or deformation of the ground in relation to which the building works are carried out and the structure of adjacent properties and analyse the results thereof; and | | (b) | report periodically to the Commissioner of Building Control the instrumentation monitoring results. |
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| (3) When any ground movement exceeds the allowable limits, the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of any building works and the builder of those building works shall notify the Commissioner of Building Control as soon as practicable regarding such movement. |
(4) A builder of any building works shall —| (a) | where applicable, provide or cause to be provided protective measures for the structures of adjacent properties so that their safe condition is maintained at all times as long as the excavations continue; | | (b) | put in place protective measures to prevent damage to the instrumentation for monitoring referred to in paragraph (2); | | (c) | notify the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of the building works of any such instrumentation that is damaged as soon as practicable; and | | (d) | replace or cause to be replaced any such instrumentation that is damaged or malfunctioning in a timely manner. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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| Materials for construction |
| 38.—(1) No person shall use or cause to be used in any building works any material specified in the Sixth Schedule without the permission of the Commissioner of Building Control. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | (2) The Commissioner of Building Control may grant permission under paragraph (1) subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit and such terms and conditions shall be complied with by the person to whom permission is granted. |
(3) The Commissioner of Building Control may, at any time in writing, direct the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of any building works or the builder thereof to furnish to the Commissioner of Building Control within 14 days from the date of receipt of such written direction —| (a) | samples of the materials used in the building works; | | (b) | information on the source thereof; | | (c) | specifications of the materials; and | | (d) | reports of tests carried out on the materials, |
| and the supervising qualified person or builder shall comply with such direction. |
[S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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38A.—(1) No person shall use or cause to be used any ready‑mixed concrete for structural elements in any major building works, unless —| (a) | the ready‑mixed concrete is obtained from a plant which holds a valid product conformity certificate; and | | (b) | the specification of the ready‑mixed concrete is listed in the product conformity certificate. [S 665/2013 wef 28/10/2013] |
| (2) In this regulation, “product conformity certificate” means a certificate issued by a certification body accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council under the Council’s Accredited Scheme for Product Certification Bodies for the certification of ready‑mixed concrete. [S 709/2017 wef 15/12/2017] |
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| Prohibited designs for exterior of building |
38B.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall install or permit the installation of any movable panel that is to be fixed on the exterior surface of a building or any part thereof.| (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the installation of any movable panel on the exterior surface of a detached, semi‑detached, terrace or linked house, or any part thereof, that is used solely as a residence. |
| (3) In this regulation, “movable panel” includes a board, frame, plank, pane and the like which is designed to slide along a guide or track, or pivot about a pin, and which is constructed of any material. [S 665/2013 wef 28/10/2013] |
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| 39.—(1) The tests to be conducted of or in connection with building works under section 7A(1) of the Act shall be in accordance with the objectives and performance requirements set out in the Fifth Schedule. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] (2) For the purposes of section 7A(2) of the Act, construction tests to be carried out in respect of the materials used in the building works and the building works shall be carried out in the following manner:| (a) | any test that is to be carried out at the premises where building works are carried out shall be carried out under the direction and supervision of the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of those building works; [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | | (b) | any test that is to be carried out in accordance with approved standards in a laboratory shall be carried out in a laboratory approved by the Singapore Accreditation Council under the Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (SAC-SINGLAS); [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | | (c) | the taking of any sample of subject-matter for carrying out such tests shall be carried out under the supervision and direction of the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of those building works; and [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | | (d) | any test of materials used in building works shall be conducted on a sample taken from the same materials used or to be used in the building works. |
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40.—(1) Where any test carried out at the premises or in any accredited laboratory fails to meet the minimum requirements stipulated in these Regulations or any approved code of practice, the supervising qualified person shall —| (a) | notify the Commissioner of Building Control as soon as practicable; and | | (b) | together with the qualified person appointed under section 8(1)(a) or 11(1)(d)(i) of the Act recommend appropriate steps, measures or remedial works to be carried out. [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
(2) Where the steps, measures or remedial works recommended under paragraph (1)(b) are acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control, the Commissioner of Building Control may —| (a) | direct the supervising qualified person to implement, or cause to be implemented, the recommendations within such period of time as may be specified by the Commissioner of Building Control; or [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | | (b) | give any other written direction on other appropriate steps or measures to be taken, |
| and the supervising qualified person shall comply with such direction. |
[S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] |
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| Taking of samples for analysis |
41.—(1) For the purposes of section 33(2) of the Act and subject to paragraph (2), any sample of building materials used in any building works shall be taken in the following manner:| (a) | the person taking the sample (referred to in this regulation as a sampling officer) shall immediately notify the developer, the supervising qualified person appointed in respect of the building works or any other person having possession of the building materials of his intention to take the sample; [S 54/2008 wef 15/02/2008] | | (b) | the sampling officer shall, after taking the sample, immediately divide the sample into 3 parts and cause each part to be marked and sealed or fastened in such manner as its nature will permit in the presence of the person referred to in paragraph (1)(a); | | (c) | the sampling officer shall deliver one part of the sample to the person referred to in paragraph (1)(a); and | | (d) | the sampling officer shall personally deliver one part of the sample to an analyst for analysis and retain the remaining one part for future comparison. |
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to divide any sample or the division of the sample might impede the proper analysis of the materials, paragraph (1) shall be taken to be complied with if the sampling officer —| (a) | causes the sample to be marked and sealed or fastened in such manner as its nature will permit in the presence of the person referred to in paragraph (1)(a); and | | (b) | then personally delivers the sample to an analyst for analysis. |
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