Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage (6th ed) - Key Revisions

Dorinda Hua (Senior Manager) Catchment & Waterways Department PUB

Background
COP on Surface Water Drainage stipulates the planning and design requirements for surface water drainage for developments - Used by QPs in planning, design and implementation of the development proposals. - Prepared by a Working Committee made up of representatives from PUB, SIA, IES and ACES

Last Review of COP - 5th Edition in Mar 2000 - Addendum to COP in 2006
Key revisions included: - Minimum platform levels & crest levels of various types of developments - Minimum reclamation levels - Return period for sizing of drainage system including the design criteria for ECM - Compliance during Temporary Occupation Permit - Annual Inspections/ Checks for flood protection measures

Need for Review

Practices had been sufficient for the past decades - Occurrence, extent and duration of flooding have been reduced significantly

Recent high visibility flood events have highlighted the following: - Uncertainties of high intensity storms - Need for a system of checks Aim of review 1. To increase the level of protection against flood risks 2. To incorporate requirements for regular checks on the integrity of flood protection measures e.g. crest levels, flood barriers, etc.

Planning Requirements - Platform, crest & reclamation levels

Minimum Platform levels

1) All general developments (Clause 2.1.1a) The minimum platform level shall not be lower than
5th Edition 102.5mRL for Southern coast 102.8mRL for North-Eastern coast 103.1mRL for North-Western coast The adjacent road/ground level 300 mm above the highest recorded flood level 6th Edition (Dec 2011) 104.0mRL along the southern coast 104.5mRL along the northern coast

300mm above adjacent road/ground level 600mm above the highest recorded flood level

Whichever is the highest The minimum crest protection level shall remain as at least 150mm above minimum platform level
150mm

Platform level
Basement
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Minimum Platform levels

2) Commercial / Multi-Unit Residential Developments with basements (Clause 2.1.1b)
The minimum platform level shall not be lower than
6th Edition (Dec 2011) 104.0mRL along the southern coast 104.5mRL along the northern coast 5th Edition 102.5mRL for Southern coast 102.8mRL for North-Eastern coast 103.1mRL for North-Western coast The adjacent road/ground level 300 mm above the highest recorded flood level

600mm above adjacent road/ground level 600mm above the highest recorded flood level

Whichever is the highest The minimum crest protection level shall be at least 300mm above minimum platform level
300mm

Platform level Basement

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Minimum Platform levels

3) Special Facilities (Clause 2.1.1c)

N.A.

The minimum platform level shall not be lower than

6th Edition (Dec 2011) 104.0mRL along the southern coast 104.5mRL along the northern coast

5th Edition

1m above adjacent road/ground level 1m above the highest recorded flood level

1m above adjacent road/ground level 1m above the highest recorded flood level

Whichever is the highest The minimum crest protection level shall be at least 300mm above minimum platform level
300mm

Platform level Basement

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Minimum Platform/Crest levels

Alternative Design Approach (Clause 2.1.2) For developments that are unable to meet the specified Minimum Platform Levels The minimum platform level shall not be lower than 103.5mRL for developments along the southern coast 104.0mRL for developments along the northern coast 300mm above the adjacent road/ ground level 300mm above the highest recorded flood level with flood history whichever is the highest In addition, to install flood protection measures, e.g. flood barriers and gates to provide at least the same level of flood protection that the minimum platform and/or crest levels would provide for the building.

Minimum Reclamation levels

Clause 2.3 General increase of 1m to cater for impact of sea level rise
5th Edition 6th Edition (Dec 2011)

103.0mRL along the southern coast 103.5mRL along the northern coast

104.0mRL along the southern coast 104.5mRL along the northern coast

Compliance with Minimum Platform Levels

Clause 2.1.3 All new development proposals including reconstruction proposals shall comply with the requirements for minimum platform levels except 1. Addition & alteration works to an existing building; 2. Partial reconstruction works to an existing building involving only the building of additional floors without reconstruction of the first storey; 3. Conservation projects; 4. Temporary development works intended for use for a temporary period; and 5. Any other works as may be specified by the Board. The Qualified Person (QP) shall advise the developer/owner that the minimum platform levels are still recommended as a protection measure to reduce flood risks. If lower platform levels are adopted, the developer/owner shall be advised that the development site may be subjected to flood risks.

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Ancillary Areas
Clause 2.1.4 QP may apply in writing to Board for approval to construct ancillary areas at below the minimum platform levels so as to tie-in with the adjacent low-lying road/ ground levels where the minimum platform levels is significantly higher. 1. Entrance driveways 2. Bin centres 3. Turfed compound areas 4. Car porch for single unit development; and 5. Other areas as may be approved by the Board

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Development

MPL (whichever is the highest)

With Basement

For connection to MRT (whichever is the highest)

General Development

Southern - 104.0m RL Northern - 104.5m RL 300mm above adjacent road/ground level 600mm above highest recorded flood level

Commercial/ Multi-Unit Residential Development

Southern - 104.0m RL Northern - 104.5m RL 600mm above adjacent road/ground level 600mm above highest recorded flood level

The Minimum Platform Levels for developments To have a crest protection of 150mm that link to an MRT station will be at least: at all entrances leading to basements Southern 104.0m RL Northern 104.5m RL 1m above adjacent/ground level/ highest recorded flood level To have a crest Minimum crest level protection of 300mm requirements for at all entrances developments with leading to basements basement shall be 300mm above minimum platform level

Special Facilities (including Rapid Transit stations, airport runways and wafer fabrication plants)

Southern - 104.0m RL Northern - 104.5m RL 1m above adjacent road/ground level 1m above highest recorded flood level

To have a crest protection of 300mm at all entrances leading to basements

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Design Requirements - Rainfall intensities & return periods for sizing of drainage systems

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Return Periods for sizing of Drains / Canals

Old Version
Drainage System Outlet drains and secondary drainage facilities Important installations/ developments such as airports and tunnels Major rivers Return Period (T) 5 years

New Version
Area Served by Drainage System Catchment of less than 100 ha Design Return Period (years) 10

50 years
50 to 100 years

Catchment of 100 to 1000 ha

Catchments of more than 1000ha or critical installations

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50 to 100

Drains are sized based on catchment area Design parameters for the drainage capacities of new drains increased to cater for more intense rainstorms.

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Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves
Updating IDF curves Updated with additional 20 years of rainfall data from 1989 - 2009

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Earth Control Measures (ECM)

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Design Criteria for ECM

Old Version
Drainage System Design Rainfall Intensity Storage Capacity of Sedimentation Basin or Storage Pond / Tank Return Period (T) 2 years 2 years

New Version
Design Return Period (years) 5 5

Sediment Control Measures (6.3.8b) Perimeter cut-off drains shall be concrete-lined and adequate to capture all runoff from the site, for sites located above slope, a solid kerb of at least 600mm high should be provided along the entire perimeter of the site to prevent overflow onto adjacent properties.

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Compliance during Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)

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Ensuring Integrity of Drainage Systems

TEMPORARY OCCUPATION PERMIT (TOP)

11.1
-

Compliance during Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)

QPs to declare that their platform and crest protection levels are in compliance with our Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage and approved plans when applying for Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) clearance. As-built survey plans prepared by a registered surveyor to CPBU TOP clearance through CBPU when the declaration and all necessary supporting documents are submitted and assessed to be in compliance with the requirements of approved plans and our Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage.

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Ensuring Integrity of Drainage Systems

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Ensuring Integrity of Drainage Systems

To ensure that flood protection measures are:
implemented according to stipulated levels, maintained properly not removed after completion of works.

New clauses are introduced to require:

Annual submission of a certificate of inspection and survey plan to confirm that the approved flood protection measures, including crest protection measures, flood barriers and pumped drainage systems are in place. Developer/Owner shall be responsible for the maintenance, operation and monitoring of the storm water drainage systems within their premises.

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Common information missing in the first DC submission

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Information not indicated in the first DC submission

No platform levels indicated No layout plan of the drains in the first storey plan No crest protection No road or ground level indicated at the outlet discharge point No sections provided along the boundary of the building with basement

- information on the crest levels of the openings to the basement not indicated

In view of the above, PUB may develop a checklist for DC submission

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No crest protections

Gaps where surface runoff could flow into basement

Short crest

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No crest protections

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Ineffective drainage along the boundary of the premise

Situation: Surface runoff overflow into adjacent premise at lower ground causing flooding in the neighbouring lot. Problem: - Closed drain along the boundary; - Chain-link fence between boundary. Remedial work - 600mm high brick wall erected along boundary - Convert the solid cover to a grating cover at the sump
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Thank You

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