If you live high up in a tall block, you may have noticed an open, empty storey partway up the building, or wondered why your staircase has heavy doors that swing shut on their own. These are part of a fire safety design that most residents never think about until something goes wrong. Understanding the refuge floor HDB residents sometimes see in tall blocks, and the protected staircases every block relies on, can help you make calm decisions if a fire ever breaks out.
This guide explains what these features are, how they work together, and what you should actually do during a fire in a high-rise block. It is general information only. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) sets fire safety requirements and publishes official advice, so check its website for the latest guidance.
What a Refuge Floor Is
A refuge floor is a storey in a tall building that is kept largely open and free of homes, designed as a temporary safe area during a fire. In residential towers it is often a level with open sides so that smoke can escape and fresh air can flow in, and it is separated from the floors above and below by fire-rated construction.
The idea is simple. In a very tall building, evacuating everyone down many storeys of stairs takes time and is tiring, especially for older residents, young children and people with mobility needs. A refuge floor gives people a safer place to rest or wait on the way down, away from smoke, while firefighters work.
Not every HDB block has a refuge floor. Whether a building needs one depends on its height and the fire code that applied when it was designed. Most HDB blocks are not tall enough to require one and rely instead on protected staircases and building compartments. Some newer, taller blocks include refuge floors, which may double as sky gardens or communal spaces in normal times. If you are not sure whether your block has one, look at the lift lobby signage or ask your Town Council.
Protected Staircases, Fire Doors and Other Key Features
Even without a refuge floor, your block has several built-in features meant to protect you:
- Protected staircases: the main escape routes. They are enclosed with fire-resistant walls so that smoke and heat stay out for a period of time, giving residents a safe way down.
- Self-closing fire doors: the heavy doors leading into staircases are designed to close by themselves. They only work if they are kept shut, which is why they must never be propped open or blocked.
- Compartmentation: each flat is built to contain a fire for a period of time, slowing its spread to neighbouring units. Your main door plays a part in this.
- Fire lifts: taller blocks have lifts that firefighters can take control of during an emergency. These are for firefighters, not for residents evacuating.
- Dry or wet risers: the pipes with outlets you see on corridors or landings let firefighters connect hoses on upper floors quickly.
- Clear corridors: the common corridor is part of your escape route. Shoe racks, bicycles and clutter can block people and feed a fire. Our guide to keeping your HDB corridor clear and fire-safe covers this in detail.
How to Evacuate a High-Rise Block in a Fire
SCDF’s general advice for residents follows a few clear principles. The right action depends on where the fire is and whether the escape route is safe.
If the fire is in your flat and you cannot put it out quickly:
- Get everyone out immediately. Do not stop to collect belongings.
- Close the door of the flat behind you to contain the fire and smoke.
- Use the staircase, never the lift, to go down to the ground floor.
- Call 995 once you are safe and alert neighbours along the way if you can.
If the fire is elsewhere and the staircase is clear of smoke:
- Leave calmly by the staircase and head downstairs. If your block has a refuge floor and you need to rest, it is a safer place to pause than a smoky corridor.
- Help elderly neighbours or anyone who needs assistance if it is safe to do so.
If the corridor or staircase is filled with smoke:
- Stay inside your flat. Going into thick smoke is very dangerous, because smoke inhalation causes many fire injuries and deaths.
- Close all doors and seal gaps under the main door with wet towels or cloth.
- Call 995, tell the operator your block and unit number, and wait for help.
- Move to a room with a window and signal for help if needed.
Comparing What to Do in Common Scenarios
| Situation | What to do | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Fire in your own flat | Leave, close the door behind you, use the stairs, call 995 | Going back in for belongings |
| Fire elsewhere, staircase clear | Walk down the staircase calmly, pause at a refuge floor if your block has one | Taking the lift |
| Smoke in corridor or staircase | Stay in your flat, seal door gaps, call 995 and wait | Walking through thick smoke |
| Fire alarm with no visible fire | Check safely, follow instructions from SCDF or building staff | Ignoring the alarm entirely |
Why You Should Never Use the Lift
It is tempting to take the lift, especially from a high floor. During a fire, lifts can stop working, open onto a smoke-filled floor, or trap passengers. Lift shafts can also act like chimneys, drawing smoke upwards. The fire lifts in tall blocks are reserved for firefighters, who can control them safely. Always use the staircase.
Preparing Your Household Before Anything Happens
A few minutes of preparation now makes a real difference later:
- Walk your escape route. Know where both staircases are on your floor, and walk down once so you know where they lead.
- Find out if your block has a refuge floor. If it does, note which level it is on.
- Install a fire alarm device. Newer HDB flats are required to have a home fire alarm device, and it is a sensible addition in any home. See our guide to home fire alarm devices in HDB flats.
- Plan for those who need help. If you live with elderly parents, young children or someone with limited mobility, decide in advance who helps whom.
- Keep keys and a torch near the door, so you do not waste time searching in the dark or in smoke.
- Review your insurance. HDB fire insurance covers the building structure of your flat, not your belongings or renovations. Read HDB fire insurance explained to understand the gap.
- Report blocked fire doors or cluttered staircases to your Town Council. These are shared safety features, and a quick report can protect the whole block.
Staying Calm and Informed
Fires in HDB blocks are not common, but when they happen the right decision in the first minutes matters most. Remember the core rules: get out early if your route is safe, close doors behind you, never use the lift, and stay put behind a closed door if smoke blocks your way. For official guidance, emergency preparedness resources and fire safety updates, visit the SCDF website.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not official safety instruction. Always follow directions from SCDF officers and emergency staff during an incident.
Official sources: Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) · HDB
Further reading: What to Do If You Feel Tremors in a Singapore High-Rise