Awnings installed by home owners at a Dunearn Road condominium were investigated recently for a possible breach of fire safety rules that would pose a risk to residents during a blaze. SCDF found, during a fire safety inspection of Gardenvista condominium, that 16 units had installed awnings without engaging a QP to draw up and clear fire safety plans. The inspection also showed that the failure to comply could have included using unsuitable materials for the awnings. An SCDF spokesman said that after the inspection, SCDF issued an advisory to the condominium’s MCST which allowed the owners to either get a QP to assess the awnings’ fire safety standards and make necessary rectifications or to remove them altogether. “A self-installed awning could cause fire to rapidly spread if it is made of non-compliant materials that are combustible or wrongly installed,” the spokesman said. In residential estates, awnings with horizontal projections of more than 1.4m require QP to seek SCDF’s approval of the plans and apply for a Fire Safety Certificate when the work is completed.... Continue Reading