Water and Sanitary Plumbing Works And Gas Works

All of the water and sanitary plumbing works/ gas works listed here do not require a permit from HDB. They are, however, subject to our technical terms and conditions.

 

Technical terms and conditions

These technical terms and conditions are specific to sanitary and plumbing or gas renovation works. Do take time to read through them even if you are familiar with the general terms and conditions for renovations in HDB flats.

Licenced service personnel

Types of Work
Licenced Person Required
Water service and sanitary works
Have to engage a Public Utilities Board (PUB) Licensed Plumber
Gas service works
Have to engage a Energy Market Authority's (EMA) licensed gas service worker

* From 1 April 2018, only PUB Licensed Plumbers will be allowed to carry out water service and sanitary works. You can engage a handymen (without PUB licence) for simple plumbing works.

Ramsets/ nails/ screws

Ramsets/ nails/ screws used must not exceed 6mm in diameter and 40mm in penetration depth for all types of flats.

Inspection opening

An inspection opening for future maintenance must be provided for installation of bathtubs. Weep holes must also be provided in the installation of bathtubs and shower trays.

Precautionary measures

For flats provided with concealed water pipes (originally provided by HDB), precautionary measures should be taken when drilling into walls:

  • The concealed water pipe layout plans for kitchen (PDF, 207KB) and toilet (PDF, 255KB) should be used only as a guide
  • Flat owner/ renovation contractor/ plumber is advised to use a metal detector to confirm the exact location of the concealed water pipes. This must be done before carrying out any drilling
  • Flat owner/ renovation contractor/ plumber should also ensure ramsets/ nails/ screws are located away from the concealed water pipes
 

Sinks and wash basins

Check for guidelines on replacement of sinks and wash basins.

Types of Work
Subject to the Following Guidelines/ Conditions
Replacement of existing sink with stainless steel/ enameled type
Not applicable
Replacement of existing wash basin with coloured type
Repositioning of kitchen sink supported by 63mm thick hollow walls with tiled finish
  • Thickness of dapoh slab inclusive of finishes should not exceed 50mm
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
Repositioning of sink or wash basin
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
 

Bath and shower

Check for guidelines on installation of long bath/ shower tray/ spa pool.

Types of Work
Subject to the Following Guidelines/ Conditions
Installation of shower screen
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
Installation of long bath
  • Extension of toilet to accommodate the long bath is not allowed
  • Void area beneath long bath cannot be filled with cement mortar or other materials
  • The void underneath must be kept
  • Provide inspection opening for future maintenance
  • Weep holes must be provided
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
Installation of shower tray
  • Void area beneath shower tray cannot be filled with cement mortar or other materials
  • Weep holes must be provided
  • The void underneath must be kept
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
Installation of spa pool
  • Spa pool must be purchased ready-made from the market
  • Construction of spa pool using bricks/ hollow blocks is not allowed
  • Spa pool is to be installed only within bathroom/ toilet originally provided by HDB
  • Total weight inclusive of spa pool, water, motor and other accessories must not exceed 400kg
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
  • Provide proper water drainage for the spa pool
 

Toilet pan

Check for guidelines on the replacement of squat or pedestal pans in your toilets.

Types of Work
Subject to the Following Guidelines/ Conditions
Replacement of squat pan with new squat pan and pedestal pan with new pedestal pan
  • Installing, fixing, replacing or removing a toilet pan (WC), and sealing up the discharge pipe shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
Installation of pedestal and squat pan at wash area on lower floor of executive maisonette
  • Holes cannot be hacked on the existing floor slab
  • The installation details for the pedestal pan (PDF, 305KB) and squat pan  (PDF, 296B) must follow the sketch in the A&A guidelines
  • Installing, fixing, replacing or removing a toilet pan (WC), and sealing up the discharge pipe shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
Replacement of squat pan with pedestal pan
  • Holes cannot be hacked on the existing floor slab
  • The installation must follow the sketch in the A&A guidelines (see Drawing 5 (PDF, 19KB))
  • Installing, fixing, replacing or removing a toilet pan (WC), and sealing up the discharge pipe shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
Replacement of pedestal pan with squat pan
  • Holes cannot be hacked on the existing floor slab
  • The minimum ceiling height from finished raised floor slab is 2.2m
  • The installation must follow the sketch in the A&A guidelines (see Drawing 6 (PDF, 42KB))
  • Installing, fixing, replacing or removing a toilet pan (WC), and sealing up the discharge pipe shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
 
 
 

Pipes

Check for guidelines on piping works.

Types of Work
Subject to the Following Guidelines/ Conditions
Replacement of existing PVC water pipe with copper/ stainless steel pipe
  • Must comply with PUB requirements
  • Installing, fixing, altering, replacing or removing any discharge pipe, discharge stack, ventilating pipe, ventilating stacks or water pipes shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
Diversion of sink waste pipe
  • Pipe must not be embedded in floor slab
  • Pipe can be embedded within floor finishes
  • Must comply with PUB requirements
  • Installing, fixing, altering, replacing or removing any discharge pipe, discharge stack, ventilating pipe, or ventilating stacks shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
Enclosure/ encasement of service ducts/ piping (excluding gas pipe) using lightweight non-combustible materials
  • Need to provide minimum removable access opening of 600mm x 600mm for inspection and maintenance
*Concealed waste/ water pipes in floor finishes/ wall
  • Floor slab and wall must not be tampered with
  • Must comply with PUB requirements
  • Installing, fixing, altering, replacing or removing any discharge pipe, discharge stack, ventilating pipe, ventilating stacks or water pipes shall be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber 
*Concealed air-conditioner discharge pipe in floor finishes
  • Floor slab must not be tampered with
  • The pipe must be concealed within the floor finishes only
Removal of surface-run water pipes
  • Must comply with PUB requirements
  • Works must be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber
Removal of surface-run portion of the concealed hot and cold water pipes
  • Must comply with PUB requirements
  • Engage a PUB Licensed Plumber
  • The pipes are to be terminated with compression fitting capping with at least 50mm length protruding from the wall

*Such work is discouraged as it may cause water leakage to lower floor unit if the work is not properly carried out.

 

Gas works

Check for guidelines on gas related works.

Types of Work
Subject to the Following Guidelines/ Conditions
Enclosure/ encasement of gas riser pipe using lightweight non-combustible materials
  • Need to provide a fully ventilated removable access (600mm width and full height from ceiling to floor) for inspection and maintenance of gas riser pipe
  • All gas riser pipes including riser branch pipe (before sub-meter) must not be tampered with
  • All gas pipes must NOT be embedded in the common partition walls
  • Gas pipes are NOT allowed in bedrooms
  • Space with gas pipes are therefore not allowed to be converted to bedrooms
  • All gas pipe alteration works must be carried out by City Gas Pte Ltd or an Licenced Gas Service Worker (LGSW)
Relocation of gas meter
  • Works must be carried out by City Gas Pte Ltd
  • Need to comply with Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) guidelines
Removal of gas branch pipe (after sub-meter)
  • A 100mm length of gas pipe protruding from the wall into the kitchen must be maintained and capped when not in use
  • Works must be carried out by City Gas Pte Ltd or a LGSW
Installation of gas water heater/ gas oven
  • Compliance with City Gas Pte Ltd's requirements
  • Engage a LGSW for the works
  • Outdoor installation is subject to HDB's approval
 

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