Singapore homes need stronger fire protection as population ages, says fire safety veteran

Singapore's fire safety industry is seeking stronger protection measures as the nation's population ages and residential buildings become taller, according to fire protection specialist Deluge Fire Protection. Founding director Vincent Cheo believes consolidation in the fragmented industry could improve work quality, strengthen accountability, and enhance fire system installations.

With hundreds of small contractors, Deluge aims to raise industry standards by securing projects worth over $1 billion across critical infrastructure in Singapore. Cheo emphasizes the need for stronger fire protection in homes, particularly in kitchens where fires often start due to unattended cooking or distractions. While commercial buildings are required to have sprinkler systems, they are not installed in HDB flats and condominium units.

Cheo recommends equipping every floor of residential buildings with automatic sprinklers and fire extinguishers, along with educating residents on their use. The fire protection industry is currently fragmented, with only a few large contractors holding significant market shares. Consolidation may help establish consistent installation standards and improve accountability.

In recent weeks, there have been several serious residential fires, including one where five people aged between 55 and 88 were trapped in a burning flat, resulting in one death. Fire calls in 2025 have increased by 8.6 percent compared to 2024, with unattended cooking and electrical faults being the leading causes. Deluge is exploring potential acquisitions and corporate actions to expand its position in the growing fire-protection industry, which is being shaped by new technical challenges in data centres and electric vehicle infrastructure.