SINGAPORE – A warehouse incident in Toa Payoh last month, where a mezzanine floor collapsed, has revealed serious breaches in building regulations. The collapse, which occurred on January 28th at 11 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, trapped three individuals and resulted in four people, including two children, being hospitalized.

Investigations by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have uncovered that the mezzanine floor was constructed without the necessary fire safety approvals. Inspections conducted on January 28th and 31st confirmed the absence of a fire safety certificate for the structure. The Fire Safety Act mandates that any additions or alterations to premises require SCDF approval for fire safety works. This process involves engaging a qualified professional to prepare and submit plans, followed by an inspection upon completion to obtain the fire safety certificate. The SCDF has stated that investigations are ongoing and that they will take appropriate action against those responsible for the lack of certification.

Further compounding the issue, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) confirmed that they also did not receive any application for the installation of the steel platform and racking system. A BCA spokesperson emphasized their commitment to enforcing building regulations and stated that they will take action against any parties found to be in violation. Constructing unauthorized works without plan approval or permits from the BCA carries a hefty penalty, with fines up to $200,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Failure to obtain a fire safety certificate can also result in fines of up to $10,000, with increased penalties for repeat offenders.

AHT Carpet and Flooring, the warehouse tenant, reported to The Straits Times that the mezzanine floor was installed by a vendor in May 2024. The incident raises serious concerns about building safety and regulatory compliance within Singapore's industrial sector. Authorities are continuing their investigations to determine the cause of the collapse and hold those responsible accountable.