Singapore tightens scaffold safety rules with fire-retardant netting requirement

Singapore's building and construction sector will face stricter safety standards with the introduction of mandatory fire-retardant scaffold netting, effective from 1 March 2027. The requirement will apply uniformly across all new projects awarded from that implementation date, regardless of the underlying scaffold material used.

The move represents a tightening of safety protocols for one of Southeast Asia's most developed construction markets. Fire-retardant netting serves as a critical barrier to contain debris and mitigate fire risk on active building sites, where multiple hazards converge during construction phases.

Projects contracted before the March 2027 deadline will not be subject to the new requirement, providing existing contracts with a transition window. However, any projects awarded on or after the implementation date must comply with the fire-retardant specification for all scaffold netting components.

The regulation reflects Singapore's continued focus on workplace safety and construction site risk management. As a densely populated urban centre with significant ongoing development, stringent safety measures help protect both construction workers and the surrounding community from potential hazards associated with high-rise building work.