Singapore Construction SMEs: New Scaffold Fire Safety Rules Take Effect 1 January 2027
Construction companies and scaffold contractors operating in Singapore must comply with updated scaffold fire safety requirements introduced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), effective 1 January 2027.
- Timber scaffolds may now be used for a maximum duration of 3 months from erection, down from the previous 9-month allowance — any extension beyond this limit requires case-by-case approval based on documented technical constraints.
- Scaffold netting enveloping structures outside buildings will soon be subject to new fire performance requirements, with compliance obligations potentially falling on scaffold contractors, netting manufacturers, netting suppliers, and other relevant parties in the industry; further implementation details will be shared ahead of the deadline.
Timber scaffolds already erected before 1 January 2027 are grandfathered and may continue to be used for up to 9 months from their original setup date, but any new timber scaffold installed at those same sites from the effective date will be subject to the stricter 3-month limit.
Tip: Inventory your current timber scaffold installations now and plan replacements with steel or aluminium modular systems well before the January 2027 deadline to avoid compliance gaps and supply chain delays.
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