This circular informs developers, architects, engineers, building owners and Qualified Persons (QPs) (collectively “Industry”) of the legal obligations for buildings or developments with high footfall which are designated as ‘Special Infrastructure’ or ‘Special Developments’ under the Infrastructure Protection Act (IPA).
Objective
1. The objective of the IPA is to keep Singapore safe and secure, by protecting Singapore’s critical infrastructure, and buildings that are iconic and have high public footfall. Such buildings are attractive targets, especially since Singapore is facing the highest terrorist threat in recent years.
2. The Minister for Home Affairs will designate new developments that will house essential services, or are expected to be iconic or have high public footfall as ‘Special Developments’ (SD). Existing buildings will be designated as ‘Special Infrastructures’ (SI).
3. SDs and SIs can be designated in two ways – either individually through a written order to the owner or occupier, or by class through an order published in the Singapore Government.
4. Once designated, SDs or SIs must undergo the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)’s Security-By-Design (SBD) review process and obtain approval for the resulting security plans from the Commissioner of Infrastructure Protection before commencing ‘specified works’ (defined in Annex A), which includes construction and other additions and alterations.
5. The SBD process involves an assessment of the building’s security risks, and requires suitable measures to be incorporated into the building’s design before it is built or when it is renovated. Such measures include the deployment of security technology like CCTVs, security personnel, vehicle barriers, and strengthening the building against blast effects; these are necessary to deter and deny attacks, and minimise the impact should an attack occur.