MOM cuts timber scaffold use period to 3 months, reviews netting rules to strengthen worksite fire safety

To facilitate a smooth transition for the industry, timber scaffolds set up before 1 January 2027 can still be used for a duration of nine months. Any new timber scaffold that is set up at these sites from 1 January 2027 will be subject to the new permissible duration of three months.

The Ministry of Manpower will shorten the permitted use period for timber scaffolds from nine months to three months from 1 January 2027, as part of new measures to reduce fire risks at construction worksites.

The move comes amid concerns that scaffold fires can spread quickly, particularly when combustible materials such as timber are involved. Such fires can endanger workers, emergency responders and members of the public, while also complicating evacuation and firefighting efforts.

Timber scaffolds set up before the new rule takes effect may continue to be used for up to nine months. However, any new timber scaffold erected from 1 January 2027 — including at existing sites — will be subject to the shorter three-month limit.

MOM said the lead time is intended to give contractors and other industry stakeholders time to prepare, adjust work processes and secure alternative materials where needed.

The shorter duration is also aimed at addressing structural safety concerns. Timber can deteriorate over time due to weather exposure, wear and tear, and mechanical damage. Reducing the permitted use period is expected to encourage more regular renewal and replacement of scaffold materials, and lower the likelihood of defects going undetected.

The change is also expected to support a shift towards more durable and non-combustible scaffold systems, including steel, aluminium, and metal modular scaffolds.

Extensions beyond the new three-month limit may still be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as where there are technical constraints or other extenuating circumstances.

Separately, MOM said that the ministry and the Singapore Civil Defence Force are reviewing new fire performance requirements for scaffold nettings used outside buildings.

These nettings typically envelop scaffolds and could contribute to flame spread if they do not meet appropriate fire safety standards.

Obligations to ensure compliance with the new netting requirements may be placed on scaffold contractors, netting manufacturers, suppliers, or other relevant parties. More details will be released before implementation to give the industry sufficient time to transition.

Together, the measures mark a tightening of scaffold fire safety expectations in the construction sector, with a focus on reducing combustible materials at worksites and improving overall risk control.

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