Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on fires involving external industrial kitchen exhaust ducts installed in HDB commercial premises

Feb 11, 2019

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for National Development 

a) in the last three years, what is the number of fires that have been reported involving external industrial kitchen exhaust ducts installed in HDB commercial premises;

b) what measures are being taken by HDB to ensure that these ducts are serviced properly and regularly based on the nature of usage; and

c) what is the number of cases where HDB has taken action against property owners for failing to comply with the mandatory and proper maintenance of these external ducts in the last three years.

Answer:

From 2016 to 2018, there were a total of 10 fires that involved external kitchen exhaust ducts installed in HDB commercial premises.

Operators of food establishments are required to comply with NEA’s Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations and SCDF’s Fire Code, both of which include requirements for operators to clean and maintain the exhaust systems.  NEA and SCDF carry out inspections and will take action against cases of non-compliance.

HDB issues annual advisories to all operators, advising them to carry out regular maintenance of their exhaust systems to comply with NEA and SCDF’s requirements.  Since Oct 2016, HDB has also required operators to submit their maintenance records at each tenancy renewal or transfer of property.  Should operators fail to produce their maintenance records, HDB will withhold lease transfers and tenancy renewals.  So far, operators have complied with this requirement, and HDB has not had to hold back the processing of any transfers or renewals.