GUIDELINES FOR PLAN SUBMISSION,

CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING

OF HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS

Issued By:

Civil Defence Shelter Engineering Department

Special Functions Division

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY

Jun 2003
CONTENTS Page

1 INTRODUCTION 2

2 GENERAL ADVICE TO QUALIFIED PERSONS 2

2.1 Interdependency between Qualified Persons 2

2.2 Routing and Penetration of Services 3

3 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 3

4 CONSULTATION ON SHELTER DESIGN 3

5 APPLICATION FOR ACCEPTANCE OF SHELTER PLANS 4

5.1 Sequence of Application For Acceptance of Shelter Plans 4

5.2 Project Reference Number 4

5.3 Standard Acceptance Stamp 5

5.4 Shelter Data 6

5.5 Types of Shelter Plan Submission 7

5.5.1 Shelter Architectural Plans 7

5.5.2 Shelter Structural Plans 8

5.6 Waiver Application 9

6 CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS 10

7 COMMISSIONING OF HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS 10

7.1 First Shelter Commissioning 10

7.2 Project Shelter Commissioning 11

8 CONCLUSION 12

9 Flowcharts - Annex A-1 13

Annex A-2 14
Annex A-3 15
Annex A-4 16

10 Annex B - Application Forms 18

1 Jun 2003
1 INTRODUCTION

This Guidelines serves as a reference to the QPs who are responsible for the
planning, design, construction and commissioning of household or storey
shelters.

The Qualified Persons (QPs) are advised to follow the guidelines described
herein so as to obtain necessary acceptance of shelter plans from the Civil
Defence Shelter Engineering Department (CDSD) of Special Functions
Division (SF) in Building and Construction Authority (BCA). During the
design phase of household or storey shelters, Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is
issued separately for compliance of shelter architectural and structural
requirements in accordance with the Household Shelter or Storey Shelter
Technical Requirements. At the final stage of household or storey shelters
construction, Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is issued when household or
storey shelter meets the commissioning requirements in accordance with
the Household Shelter or Storey Shelter Technical Requirements. Refer to
Flowchart at Annex A-1 for details.

2 GENERAL ADVICE TO QUALIFIED PERSONS

Before undertaking the planning, design, construction and commissioning of

household or storey shelters in residential houses or flats, QPs are advised
to familiarise themselves with the architectural, structural, construction and
commissioning requirements as stipulated in the Household Shelter or
Storey Shelter Technical Requirements. QPs should pay special attention to
the following:

2.1 Interdependency between Qualified Persons

There is a high level of inter-dependency between the design architect and

professional engineer in ensuring that shelter architectural and shelter
structural requirements are complied with. The requirements of
architectural design of a household or storey shelter could affect structural

2 Jun 2003
 design requirements. Hence, design architect shall be the overall co-
ordinator to co-ordinate closely with the professional engineer in all stages
of household or storey shelter design. This is to avoid abortive structural
design works by PE if shelter architectural requirements are not compiled
with.

2.2 Routing and Penetration of Services

The routing and penetration of mechanical and electrical services through

shelter walls are important details as they may affect the air-tightness
requirements of a household or storey shelter. Hence, details showing the
routing and locations of services penetration through walls, floor slab or
ceiling slab of a household or a storey shelter are to be shown in the shelter
architectural plans.

3 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition to this Guidelines, the planning, design, construction and

commissioning of household or storey shelters shall be carried out in
accordance with the Household Shelter or Storey Shelter Technical
Requirements.

4 CONSULTATION ON SHELTER DESIGN

It is to QP’s advantage that a consultation session with staff of CDSD be

arranged during the early design stage of a household or storey shelter.
This should be done preferably before planning application or lodgment is
submitted to the competent authority URA. QP could request a suitable date
for consultation by filling up standard Application Form SF_HS/PF1 or e-
Form BCA-CDAS-PCHSSS and sending a facsimile letter or submitting it to
CDSD of BCA. Alternatively, QP may attend “walk-in” consultations on every
Monday and Thursday of the week between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon at
BCA’s Office on 8th Storey of Tower Block, MND Complex, Maxwell Road. If
the designated day is a public holiday, walk-in consultations will also be
available on the following day.

3 Jun 2003
 For effective consultation, QPs are requested to bring along their
preliminary design plans showing the following:

(a) Shelter size;

(b) Location of shelter/s with respect to overall building layout;
(c) Shelter setback distances from external building lines;
(d) Thickness of shelter walls and slabs; and
(e) Sectional view and elevation of shelter with respect to building
elevation.

5 APPLICATION FOR ACCEPTANCE OF SHELTER PLANS

5.1 Sequence of Application for Acceptance of Shelter Plans

QP is required to obtain Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for the following

shelter plans from CDSD of BCA:

(a) Shelter Architectural Plans; and

(b) Shelter Structural Plans

CDSD of BCA will issue Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for shelter structural
plans after shelter architectural plans have been accepted.
This is to avoid amendments to shelter structural plans should there be any
changes made to the shelter architectural plans in order to comply with the
written directions issued by CDSD. QPs are to take note that construction
works pertaining to household or storey shelter can only commenced after
Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for shelter structural plans has been obtained.

5.2 Project Reference Number

In the application for acceptance of shelter architectural plans, the architect

shall indicate the project reference number on the shelter architectural
plans. The QPs making subsequent shelter structural plans submission

4 Jun 2003
 should indicate the same project reference number issued by the architect
on their plans. The following abbreviation should be used for the respective
plan type: CD for shelter architectural plans and CS for shelter structural
Plans. For example: A1234-001-2001-CD01 & A1234-001-2001-CS01.

For subsequent amendment submissions made to the accepted shelter

plans or re-submission of shelter plans after receipt of Notice of Non-
Acceptance (NONA) issued by BCA, QPs shall use respective plan type suffix
and unique numbers in their application. For example, if shelter
architectural plans CD 01 has been used and QP wishes to submit
amendment design of the accepted CD 01 plans or to re-submit shelter
architectural after NONA has been issued, then CD 02 shall be used for the
subsequent submissions.

For response to written direction within the time frame stipulated in the
written direction, QP shall indicate the respective same plan type number
for re-submission in the application form SF_HS/PF4 or e-Form BCA-CDAS-
REAHSSS. To enable QP to take early follow-up action, BCA will fax copy of
WDs to QPs before sending out hard copy

5.3 Standard Acceptance Stamp

Site layout plan, key plan and location plan of household shelter or storey
shelter shall be submitted. All types of shelter plans must bear the
following standard acceptance stamp on the right-hand column on every
plan (refer to below specimen).

5 Jun 2003
 ____ Sheet of____

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY

ACCEPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
HOUSEHOLD / STOREY / PUBLIC SHELTERS

Project Reference No:____________________

30mm

......................................................……
…...
for Commissioner of Building Control Date

Specimen of Standard Acceptance Stamp

5.4 Shelter Data

Design architect is required to provide shelter data of the development

project in the standard format as shown below. These data shall be clearly
shown on the first page of shelter architectural plans.

Data of Household / Storey Shelter

Dwelling GFA of Unit No of HS Size of HS / Volume Aboveground (AG)
Unit Type (m2) / SS SS (m2) of HS / or Basement (B) HS
SS (m3)

Standard Format of Shelter Data

6 Jun 2003
5.5 Types of Shelter Plan Submission

Every new shelter plan application, re-submission after receipt of a Notice of

Non-Acceptance or amendment design to accepted shelter plans shall be
accompanied by Application Form SF_HS/PF2 or e-Form BCA-CDAS-
ACHSSS01 (for shelter architectural plan submission) and SF_HS/PF3 or e-
Form BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS02 (for shelter structural plan submission). Re-
submission in response to WD within the stipulated time frame shall be
accompanied by Application Form SF_HS/PF4 or e-Form BCA-CDAS-
REAHSSS.
The detailed requirements for the application of the various types of shelter
plans are as follows:

5.5.1 Shelter Architectural Plans

When applying for acceptance of shelter architectural plans, QP shall submit

1 sets of the following architectural plans together with the Application
Form SF_HS/PF2 or e-Form BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS01.

(a) Site and location plans (1:1000);

(b) Architectural layout plans (1:100); and
(c) Shelter detailed plans, sections and elevations (showing the
routing and penetration of services as well as the location of
ventilation and HS/SS door openings in 1:50).

In the application form for acceptance of shelter architectural plans, QP

shall certify and endorse that all the shelter architectural requirements as
stipulated in the Household Shelter or Storey Shelter Technical
Requirements are fully complied with.

QP shall submit the application form together with shelter architectural

plans to BCA Service Centre located on 2nd Storey, Tower Block, MND
Complex, Maxwell Road. Upon acceptance of shelter architectural plans by
CDSD of BCA, a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) of shelter architectural plans
will be issued to the QP (Refer to Flowchart at Annex A-2).
7 Jun 2003
 The set of the accepted shelter architectural plans shall be microfilmed by
BCA. QP shall produce the original copy of the Notice of Acceptance
(NOA) to collect the accepted shelter architectural plans from the BCA
Service Centre after 2 weeks from the date of the Notice of Acceptance of
the architectural plans.

5.5.2 Shelter Structural Plans

When applying for acceptance of shelter structural plans, QP is required to

submit 1 set of shelter structural plans includes footing plans* where
applicable, (1:25) together with the Application Form SF_HS/PF3 or e-Form
BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS02.
* only applicable for footing integrated with HS base slab.

In the application form for acceptance of shelter structural plans, QP shall

confirm and certify that shelter structural requirements stipulated in the
Household Shelter or Storey Shelter Technical Requirements are fully
complied with.

QP shall submit the application form together with shelter structural plans
also to BCA Service Centre on 2nd Storey, Tower Block, MND Complex,
Maxwell Road. Upon acceptance of shelter structural plans by CDSD of
BCA, a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) of shelter structural plans will be issued
to the QP.

QP shall produce the original copy of the Notice of Acceptance to collect

the accepted shelter structural plans from BCA Service Centre, after 2
weeks from the date of the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) of shelter structural
plans.

8 Jun 2003
5.5.3 If there are non-compliant items found in the shelter architectural or shelter
structural plans, a written direction will be issued to the QP. The original
set of shelter architectural or structural plans will be returned to the QP to
comply with the written direction within the time frame stipulated in the
written direction. Failing which, a Notice of Non-Acceptance (NONA) would
be issued to QP who are then required to make a new application
accompanied by Application Form SF_HS/PF2 or SF_HS/PF3 (e-form BCA-
CDAS-ACHSSS1 or e-form BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS2 respectively).

If there are major or many non-compliant items discovered in the shelter

plans, Notice of Non-Acceptance (NONA) would be issued directly to the QP.
To assist QP in obtaining early acceptance of shelter plans, QP is
encouraged to arrange a consultation with the plan processing officer before
re-submitting amended shelter plans. QP shall re-submit the amended
shelter plans to BCA Service Centre.

5.6 Waiver Application

QP who wishes to apply for waiver of the Household Shelter or Storey

Shelter Technical Requirements has to submit application form to the
Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) through BCA
Service Centre. Waiver application form can be downloaded from SCDF or
BCA Website. When submitting shelter waiver application to SCDF,
application form together with 2 sets of relevant shelter plans shall be sent
to BCA for joint evaluation with SCDF.

Where a formal application for acceptance of the shelter plans has already
been made to CDSD, the application shall be treated by CDSD as
“Withdrawn” as the outcome or the decision by SCDF is still pending.

Upon receipt of the decision of shelter waiver application from SCDF, QP

shall then re-submit as a new application with the shelter plans
(accompanied by application form SF_HS/PF2 or SF_HS/PF3 (e-form BCA-

9 Jun 2003
 CDAS-ACHSSS1 or e-form BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS2 respectively) for our
processing and acceptance.

6 CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS

After QPs have obtained all the necessary acceptance of the shelter plans
(including shelter structural plans), they may proceed with the shelter
construction works. QP shall take note that permit to commence building
works has to be obtained from BE Division of BCA. To facilitate CDSD staff
in conducting shelter regulatory inspection during its construction, QP is
advised to submit shelter works schedule and the site location plan to
CDSD. QP shall ensure that household or storey shelters are constructed in
accordance with the accepted shelter plans.

7 COMMISSIONING OF HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS

Shelters have to be commissioned prior to the issuance of TOP, as

rectification works would be impractical or almost impossible after the
occupants take possession of the completed buildings and occupy it.
Commissioning procedure for household or storey shelters are separated
into two types, namely:

a) First Shelter Commissioning

b) Projects Shelter Commissioning

7.1 First Shelter Commissioning (Refer to Flowchart at Annex A-3)

Application for commissioning of First Shelter is not mandatory. If QP

decides to request for commissioning of first shelter so as to serve as a
reference for other shelters commissioning in the same project
development, he or she shall use the application form SF_HS/CFP or e-Form
BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS to apply for first shelter commissioning inspections. In
this connection, QP has to certify in the application form that the
commissioning requirements for the first household or storey shelters have

10 Jun 2003
 been fully complied with. CDSD would then witness the commissioning
inspection with the QP and the builder. 3 different types of test, i.e. chalk
mark, light penetration and air-tightness test, are to be carried out.

When all the commissioning requirements for the first household or storey
shelter are met, CDSD will issue a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) of
commissioning of the first household or storey shelter. It should be noted
that it is the responsibility of the QP to ensure that the rest of the
household or storey shelters in the same project development are
constructed in accordance with the same standards as laid out in the first
household or storey shelter.

7.1.1 Block Basis Commissioning of Household or Storey Shelters

Where there are more than one block of apartments in a residential

development such as HDB flats or condominiums, QP may wish to apply for
commissioning of project household or storey shelters on a block basis.
Each application for commissioning of project household or storey shelters
shall be accompanied with the Application Form SF_HS/CFP or e-Form BCA-
CDAS-ACHSSS and identify with the submission type suffix “CN” and its
unique number. For example, if the plan type “CN 01” has been used in the
application for acceptance of commissioning of the first household or storey
shelters, then “CN 02” shall be used for the subsequent applications.

7.2 Project Shelters Commissioning

(Refer to Flowchart at Annex A-3)

For a project development whereby commissioning of the first household or

storey shelter is not carried out (since it is an optional one), QP could
proceed to apply for acceptance of project shelter commissioning by
submitting Application Form SF_HS/CFP or e-Form BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS. Upon
receiving the application from QP, CDSD will arrange for an inspection with
the QP and the builder. When CDSD assesses that the completed
household or storey shelters have fully complied with the commissioning

11 Jun 2003
 requirements, CDSD will issue a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) of
commissioning of project household or storey shelters. This notice of
acceptance for project household or storey shelters has to be submitted
when QP applies for TOP.

In both 7.1 and 7.2, QP would be issued with a written direction if there
were non-compliant items discovered during commissioning inspection. QP
shall re-apply for the commissioning test of the first or project household or
storey shelters by submitting either Application Form SF_HS/CFP (or e-Form
BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS with plan type suffix “CN” and unique number, to CDSD
upon rectification of the shelter defects. Depending on the circumstances,
commissioning re-inspection may be required before Notice of Acceptance is
issued. To enable QPs to take early follow-up action, BCA will fax copy of
WDs to QPs before sending out hard copies. Please refer to “Guidelines for
Selection of Household Shelter (HS) Sample for Project Commissioning
Inspection” in Annex A-4.

8 CONCLUSION

This set of guidelines has been prepared to guide the QP in submitting

shelter plan and commissioning applications. The QP is advised to consult
CDSD early during the architectural design stage, especially when the QP is
undertaking the planning and design of household or storey shelter for the
first time. This is to avoid reworks arising from non-compliant items of
shelter requirements which might be discovered later and amendments are
necessary.

During the construction phase of household or storey shelters, QP, site

supervisors and builders should work closely as an integrated team to
ensure that all shelter requirements are met. This would facilitate early
completion and commissioning of household or storey shelters.

12 Jun 2003
 Annex A-1

FLOWCHART FOR DESIGN AND PLAN SUBMISSION OF

HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTERS

Consultation on Shelter Design

with CDSD

Acceptance of Household or Storey Shelter

Architectural & Structural Plans from CDSD

Acceptance for Commissioning of

Household or Storey Shelter from
CDSD

Application for TOP

13 Jun 2003
 Annex A-2

FLOWCHART FOR ACCEPTANCE OF SHELTER

ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL PLANS

Prepares and submits household

QP or storey shelter architectural and
structural plans for acceptance.

QP amends and
re-submit plans
CDSD Vets submission

WD to QP

Yes
Any non-
conformances?

No

CDSD issues Notice of

Acceptance to QP

END

14 Jun 2003
 Annex A-3

FLOWCHART FOR COMMISSIONING OF FIRST OR

PROJECT HOUSEHOLD OR STOREY SHELTER

CDSD conducts regulatory inspections

on household or storey shelters

QP submits application for acceptance of

commissioning of first / project household or
storey shelters

QP rectifies defects and CDSD conducts commissioning

re-submits application for inspection on first / project household
acceptance of or storey shelters
commissioning of first /
project household or storey
Not complied
shelters to CDSD Complied with
with

CDSD issues notice of acceptance of

commissioning for first / project
household or storey shelters

End

15 Jun 2003
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF HOUSEHOLD SHELTER (HS) SAMPLES
FOR PROJECT COMMISSIONING INSPECTION

Table 1 enumerates required sample size of HS to be selected in each project or each block-
basis request for commissioning inspection and over-pressure air-tightness tests.

Table 1

Number of HS in each Project or in each Number of HS samples Selected (#) for

Block-Basis request of commissioning Project HS Commissioning
inspections
1-5 Actual no of shelters or up to a maximum of
2, whichever is smaller
6-20 3

21-100 5

> 100 5% of total units to be commissioned

#: Exclude first HS selected for commissioning inspection (first HS commissioning inspection

is optional and only applicable for project with more than 3 HS).

The following shall also be adhered to during HS commissioning inspection:

(i) 1st Commissioning Inspection:

(a) More than ½ of HS samples failed

the commissioning inspection:

It is deemed that HS in the entire project or in each block-basis have failed the
commissioning inspection and 2nd commissioning inspection is required after
completion of remedial works. At the 2nd commissioning inspection, number of
shelters to be selected shall be in accordance with Table 1. Once all the shelter
samples have passed the commissioning inspection, Notice of Acceptance for
Commissioning of Project Household Shelter would be issued.

(b) Less than or up to ½ of shelter samples

failed commissioning inspection:

It is deemed that shelters in the entire project or in each block-basis have partially
passed the commissioning inspection. Hence, 2nd commissioning inspection is also
required. At the 2nd commissioning inspection, only those shelters which failed the
commissioning inspection during the 1st inspection plus an additional same number of
shelters which failed the 1st inspection would be selected from outside the original
sample group are to be commissioned.

16 Jun 2003
(ii) 2nd Commissioning Inspection:

All the selected shelters should pass the commissioning inspection before Notice of
Acceptance for Commissioning of Project Household Shelter is issued for the project or block-
basis request. Otherwise, a 3rd commissioning inspection is still required. The criteria for
selection of shelter samples shall follow item (i) (b) above. This will continue until all selected
shelter samples have passed the commissioning inspection.

The number of HS to be re-checked on each HS commissioning inspection can be obtained

from the table below:

For Projects with 1-100 HS units

No. of Shelters No. of 5 4 3 2 1 0

selected for HS
commissioning failed
5 Retest Retest 5 Retest Retest Retest NOA
5 5 2+2 1+1
4 Retest 4 Retest Retest Retest NOA
4 2+2 1+1
3 Retest Retest 3 Retest NOA
3 1+1
2 Retest 2 Retest 1 NOA
1 Retest 1 NOA

Legend:

i) “Retest 5” means five shelters to be re-commissioned and those originally tested on

previous inspections can be included.
ii) “Retest 2+2” means to re-commission the original 2 shelters that failed plus another 2
shelters from outside the original group tested on the previous inspection.

For Projects with >100 HS units

No. of Shelters No. of x$

$ 2% 1%¢
¢ x[
[ 2% x[
[ 1% 0
selected for HS
commissioning failed
(x)

5% Retest 5% Retest 2% + 2% Retest 1% + 1% NOA

Legend:

i) “Retest 5%” means five percent of the project shelters to be re-commissioned and
those originally tested on previous inspections can be included.
ii) “Retest 2% + 2%” means to re-commission the original 2% shelters that failed plus
another 2% shelters from outside the original group tested on the previous inspection.

17 Jun 2003
 Annex B

TABLE OF APPLICATION FORMS

FORMS REF e-INDEX FORM TITLE

SF_HS / PF1 BCA-CDAS-PCHSSS Request For Consultation On Household/Storey Shelter

Requirements

SF_HS / PF2 BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS01 Application For Acceptance Of Household/Storey Shelter

Architectural Plans

SF_HS / PF3 BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS02 Application For Acceptance Of Household/Storey Shelter

Structural Plans

SF_HS / PF4 BCA-CDAS-REAHSSS Re-Submission For Acceptance Of Household/Storey

Shelter Plans

SF_HS / CFP BCA-CDAS-ACHSSS Application For Acceptance Of Commissioning Of

Household/Storey Shelter

18 Jun 2003