Toa Payoh warehouse's mezzanine floor that collapsed was not approved

No approval was sought from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) or the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to add a mezzanine floor in a Toa Payoh warehouse unit that collapsed last month.

The incident happened on Jan 28 at 11 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, trapping three people under rugs and storage racks. Two children were among four people who were taken to the hospital.

Following inspections of the premises on Jan 28 and 31, SCDF discovered that a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) was not obtained for the affected mezzanine floor that was installed in the warehouse.

Under the Fire Safety Act, those who wish to carry out any addition or alteration works at their premises must first seek SCDF's approval for the fire safety works (FSW) involved.

This requires the building owner or whomever responsible to engage a qualified professional to prepare and submit the plan for SCDF's approval, said SCDF on Feb 9 in response to queries from The Straits Times.

An FSC must also be obtained upon the completion of the FSW. This will be done after the owner engages a registered inspector to inspect the completed works before receiving the certificate from SCDF.

SCDF said: "Investigations are ongoing and appropriate action will be taken against the party responsible for the failure to obtain the FSC with respect to the FSW done on site."

The warehouse unit's tenant, AHT Carpet and Flooring, had previously told ST on Jan 30 that the mezzanine floor was installed by a vendor in May 2024.

A BCA spokesperson said in a separate statement on Feb 9 it did not receive any applications for the installation of the steel platform and racking system at the premises, adding that investigations are being carried out.

Carrying out unauthorised works without plan approval or a permit from BCA carries a fine of up to $200,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.

Those who fail to obtain the FSC for the completed FSWs may be fined up to $10,000, SCDF said. Those who offend twice face a further fine of up to $1,000 for each day that the offence continues after conviction.