The Association shall be known as the “Fire Safety Managers’ Association (Singapore)” hereinafter referred to as the “Association”.
The place of business of the Association shall be at 1010, Dover Road, #02-02, Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild, Singapore 139658 or such address as may be subsequently decided upon by the Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies.
The Association may appoint Singapore citizens as patrons
by reason of their exceptional and meritorious contribution
to the objects of the Association or for such other
reason as the Association may deem sufficient. Patrons
shall not have any voting right.
The Supreme Authority of the Association shall be vested
in a general meeting of the members presided over by
the President.
The committee may determine to elect Honorary Auditors or appoint a firm of Certified Public
Accountants to audit the accounts. If the gross income or expenditure of the Association exceeds
$500,000.00 in that financial year, the accounts of the Association shall be audited by a firm of
Certified Public Accountants in accordance with Section 4 of the Societies Regulations.
The financial year of the Association shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 the same year. The Management Committee shall prepare a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Association during the year for the Annual General Meeting.
The Management Committee may make, rescind or amend
such by-laws or regulations as may be necessary or expedient
to carry out the provisions of but not inconsistent
with this Constitution.
No alterations, additions or deletions to these rules
shall be made except by a majority of two-thirds of
the Ordinary Members present in person at a general
meeting, and they shall not come into force without
the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies. Particulars
of all proposed amendments shall be sent to all members
in the notice calling for the meeting.
In the event of any question or matter arising out
of any point which is not expressly provided for in
the rules, the Committee shall have power to use their
own discretion. This decision of the Committee shall
be final unless it is reversed at a general meeting
of members.
The funds of the Association shall be controlled and
managed by the Management Committee. The Management
Committee shall have the authority to expend the funds
of the Association to promote and achieve the objects
of the Association. In addition, the Management Committee
may incur any expenditure for the welfare and benefits
of the members of the Association.
BY-LAWS
1.0 Name
The Association shall be known as the “Fire Safety Managers’ Association (Singapore)”, abbreviated to “FSMAS” and is hereinafter referred to as the Association.
2.0 Management Committee
The daily affairs of the Association shall be entrusted to the Management Committee of ordinary members which shall comprise a President, a Vice-President, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Assistant Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and eight other members hereinafter refer to as “Management Committee”.
3.0 Grades of Membership
The grades of membership are:
Ordinary Member - Corporate Members with voting right.
Affiliate Member - A Member without voting right.
Associate Member - A Member without voting right.
Patron - A Member without voting right.
Thereinafter referred to as “members”.
4.0 Application for Membership
- A proposal for membership shall be in accordance with the form, which shall from time to time be prescribed by the Management Committee. The application form should be accompanied by the stipulated fees. The Honorary Secretary shall present it before the Management Committee for approval.
- When a candidate for admission has been approved, the Honorary Secretary shall notify him, and his name shall be added to the Register of the Association.
5.0 Indication of Membership
Each member shall be entitled to affix to his name the following initial letters to indicate his class of membership of the Association.
Ordinary Members may affix MFSMAS
Associate Members may affix AFSMAS
Patron may affix PFSMAS
Fellow may affix FFSMAS
Graduate may affix GRADFSMAS
6.0 Register of Membership
A Register, hereinafter referred to as “the Register” containing the names of all members of the Association shall be updated annually. It is the duty of a member to inform the Honorary Secretary in writing of any changes to his particulars.
7.0 Certificate
- A certificate shall be given to each member after he has been duly elected and has paid his fees. All certificates are the property of the Association and must be returned if and when membership ceases.
- If during his term of membership a member loses his certificate, he may apply for a replacement. A duplicate copy shall be issued to him upon payment of a fee of ten (10) dollars.
8.0 Subscription
- The following entrance fees and annual subscription shall be payable :
Grade Entrance Fee Annual Subscription
Ordinary Members $10.00 $100.00
Associate Members $50.00 $100.00
Affiliate Members NIL $200.00
Patron NIL NIL
Graduate Members $10.00 $75.00
- The annual subscription shall be due on the 1st day of the following month in the following year. The Honorary Secretary shall send at least two reminders to the last known address of those members whose membership is expiring.
- Any member, whose subscription is six months in arrears, may by resolution of the Management Committee be excluded from membership of the Association after the Management Committee has informed him of their intention to do so in writing.
9.0 Re-admission of Membership
A person whose name has been removed from the Register may apply at any time to the Association for re-admission. The Management Committee shall determine the application on its individual merits and may re-admit the person conditionally or otherwise, provided he satisfies three-fourths of the Management Committee that he is worthy of re-admission.
10.0 Retired Members
Members having attained the age of not less than sixty years and have applied to and been approved by the management Committee may transfer to the Retired List. Retired members shall be considered only if he has been a continuously paid up Ordinary of Associate member for at least 5 years. Retired members shall not be required to pay any subscription.
11.0 Publications
The Management Committee may arrange for the publication of such papers, journals, books and other publications in any country or language which may be considered necessary for the furtherance of the objects of the Association.
12.0 Inspection of Documents
The membership records and account books shall be opened to the FSMAS members and to accredited persons who have an interest in the funds of the Association, provided that seven days’ notice in writing of such inspection is given to the Honorary Secretary subject to the approval of the Management Committee.
DISASTER FUND
A) INTRODUCTION
1.0 Name
The Disaster Fund shall be known as the “Fire Safety Managers’ Association (Singapore) Disaster Fund” hereinafter referred to as the “Disaster Fund”.
2.0 Place of Business
The place of business of the “Disaster Fund” shall be at 1010, Dover Road, #02-02,
Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild, Singapore 139658 or such address as
may be subsequently decided upon by the FSMAS.
B) RULES ON RECEIVING AND USE OF DISASTER FUND
1.0 Bank Account
The Disaster Fund shall be operated as a separate account from the Association’s Main Account.
2.0 Donations and Subscriptions
FSMAS may receive donations and subscriptions for the general purpose of the Disaster Fund and shall be made known to the donor as such.
The donations and subscriptions shall be in monetary form.
Official receipt from the FSMAS shall be issued to the donor within seven (7) days on receipt of the donation.
3.0 Custodian
The FSMAS shall be the custodian of the Disaster Fund. The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounting of the Fund. He shall open such banking account as the Management Committee may direct and shall deposit therein all monies received by him for the purpose of Disaster Fund.
All cheques shall be signed by the President or the Vice-President and the Honorary Treasurer.
4.0 Statement of Account
The Honorary Treasurer shall prepare the Monthly Statement of Account and shall be presented monthly to the Management Committee by him or his representatives.
5.0 Audit
The Honorary Auditor of the FSMAS shall also audit the account of the Disaster Fund.
6.0 Application of the Disaster Fund
6.1 Insurance
Subject to the availability of the Fund, the Disaster Fund shall be used to provide 24-hourr insurance coverage for all ordinary members on permanent disability or death.
6.2 Condolence
Should any member or any other deserving party be met with mishap, condolence to the member’s family or the concerned party’s family may be in the form of publishing in newspaper or any other gesture in kind. The amount spent shall not be more than one thousand (1,000) dollars. When publishing in newspaper, it will either be in The Straits Times or The Sunday Times only.
7.0 Authorisation on the Use of Disaster Fund
The use of the Disaster Fund shall be approved by the President of FSMAS or in his absence the Vice-President subjected to a two-third majority of the remaining Management Committee.
8.0 Quantum of Expenses
The quantum shall be subjected to the availability of the Disaster Fund as laid down on the Authorisation of the Disaster Fund.
9.0 Investment
The Management Committee may direct that the surplus sum of the Disaster Fund be invested in the name of FSMAS, Disaster Fund in fixed deposit.
10.0 Fund Raising
Any fund raising exercise for the Disaster Fund must be approved by the Management Committee and may be of the following means:
a) Business Contacts
b) Fun-fare (if approved by Registry of Societies)
c) Donation draws (if approved by Registry of Societies)
d) Any other legal means
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS
A Fire Safety Manager shall uphold the dignity standing and reputation of the profession. The following code of professional conduct and ethics shall apply to all categories of membership of the Fire Safety Managers’ Association (Singapore).
1. All documents or evidence shall be the truth and any willful omission of fact or suppression of material fact shall render the application of membership null and void.
2. He shall not maliciously or recklessly injure or attempt to injure, whether directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects or business of another Fire Safety Manager, unless he is called upon to produce evidence and is convinced that his duty to the public or to his employer compel him to do so, he shall not express opinions which reflect on the ability or integrity of another Fire Safety Manager.
3. A Fire Safety Manager, in his responsibility to his employer and to the profession, shall have full regard to the public interest at all times.
4. He shall not take on any other responsibility or duty with remuneration, without written consent from his employer.
5. He shall discharge his duties to his employer with complete fidelity in terms of his skill and knowledge. He shall not hesitate to inform his employer when confronted by a problem which he does not possess the knowledge or experience, and make an appropriate recommendation as to the desirability of obtaining further advice.
6. In the preparation of tenders, plans, specification and contract documents, and on the supervision of relevant fire/life safety works, he shall assiduously watch and conserve the interests of his employer. He shall discharge his respective duties and enjoy the respective rights, as set down in the contract agreement.
7. He shall not make payment or accept the contract on behalf of his employer, unless so requested by his employer.
8. When in a position of authority over other Fire Safety Managers, he shall direct and advise with his knowledge and experience and offer credit duly.
9. He shall not endorse fire and life safety products or payment for introduction of the employment of Fire Safety Manager.
10. He shall not canvass for commission or offer to make payment for introduction of the employment of Fire Safety Manager.
11. He shall not receive directly or indirectly any remunerations without the written consent or authorisation in writing of his employer.
12. He may recommend to his employer any contractor or organization of which he has interest in provided he declare his interest in the company/organization in writing to his employer prior to such recommendation. In this case, he shall maintain an attitude of complete impartiality.
13. He shall not use for his personal gain or disclose any information which he may acquire as a result of special opportunities arising out of work for his employer.
14. He shall not, directly or indirectly, attempt to supplant another Fire Safety Manager, nor shall he intervene or attempt to intervene in or inconexion with fire and life safety work of any kind which to his knowledge has been entrusted to another Fire Safety Manager.
15. He shall not be an undischarged bankrupt.
16. He shall be considered unfit to be a member when convicted of a criminal offence or felony, which in the opinion of the disciplinary body, shall be guilty of improper conduct.
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
1. NAME
The Disciplinary Committee shall be known as the “Fire Safety Managers’ (Association) Disciplinary Committee”, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Disciplinary Committee’.
2. PLACE OF BUSINESS
The place of business of the ‘Disciplinary Committee’ shall be at 1010, Dover Road, #02-02, Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild, Singapore 139658 or such address as may be subsequently decided upon by the FSMAS.
3. OBJECTS
The objects of the Disciplinary Committee shall be :
- To promote the Association as a professional body of highly disciplined, respectable and efficient Fire Safety Managers.
- To protect the interest of all FSMAS members.
4. COMPLAINT
When a complaint is received by the Association against a member, the complaint shall be forwarded to the President of FSMAS within twenty-four hours.
The President of FSMAS shall decide whether an inquiry is to be carried out.
5. MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
The President of FSMAS shall appoint the following persons to be the members of the Disciplinary Committee : -
- One member from the Management Committee;
- One member from the Professional Ethics Sub-Committee;
- Three other ordinary members of FSMAS
6. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
To conduct an inquiry into the charge or allegation made against a member so as to ascertain the causes and circumstances of the charge or allegation.
The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall make a written report to the President of FSMAS stating the circumstances of the charge or allegation and adding any observations and recommendations which the Committee think right to make.
7. MEETING OF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Any member who had been convicted in court on criminal offence or who had created nuisance to the Association may be brought before the Disciplinary Committee.
If there is sufficient evidence to justify calling on the member to answer any charge made against him, a notice in writing of not less than seven days shall be given to such member, at his known address, calling him to attend a meeting convened for the purpose.
8. PROCEEDING OF THE MEETING
At such meeting, the member concerned shall be informed of the charges made against him and shall have the right to be heard in his own defense.
If such member refuses to attend the meeting in answer to the notice calling him to do so, the Disciplinary Committee may nevertheless proceed in his absence. No appeal shall lie from the decision of the Committee to any Court of Law.
9. FINDINGS OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
If, after hearing such member, the Disciplinary Committee decides on the cessation of the said member, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall submit the verdict in writing to the President of FSMAS who will cease the said membership.
10. RESULTS
Any member found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee shall be expelled from the Association.
Where the membership of an ordinary or associate member has been ceased, he shall be informed by the Honorary Secretary in writing accordingly. There shall be no refund of membership fee to any expired member.
Any member found not guilty will also be informed by the Honorary Secretary in writing.
Any expelled person shall thereafter be forbidden to use the distinctive titles of the Association as set out in paragraph 5.0 of the Bye-Laws.
11. APPEAL
Any member aggrieved by the cessation from the Association may appeal to the President of FSMAS against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
The appeal shall be in writing stating the reasons and shall reach the Association within twenty-one days from the date on which the notice has been served on him.
The President shall review the appeal and his decision shall be final.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS SUB-COMMITTEE
Policies
The policies of the Association are : -
1. To set a high standard of discipline and professionalism for members.
2. To provide a sense of identity and recognition for members.
In order to achieve the above policies, the Professional Ethics Sub-Committee was formed to draft and formulate the following rules and regulations :-
1. Bye-laws
2. Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
3. Disaster Fund
4. Disciplinary Committee
The Association’s function and the conduct of members will be governed by the above rules and regulations.
The Professional Ethics Sub-Committee will continue to meet regularly so as to review and update the rules, regulations and bye-laws. The Sub-Committee will also assist in enforcing the rules
CONTINUING EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE
Policies
It is the policies of the Association to provide continuing education and training to its members and to organize fire safety campaign and training courses for occupants of buildings so as to encourage its members to :
1. ensure that buildings and workplaces remain safe;
2. upgrade fire safety standard;
3. encourage occupants of buildings to adopt good housekeeping and fire safety practices;
4. standardise the fire evacuation plan in high-rise buildings; and
5. conduct fire evacuation exercise.
Educational talks and technical visits will be organized for members to upgrade and share knowledge on current fire safety and prevention technology. Members of the Association will be allowed to attend the talk free of charge*.
Certificate of attendance will be issued to members who attended the talk.
The Continuing Education Sub-Committee of FSMAS will also carry out the following activities in order to ensure that the policies are achieved :
1. To assist members in formulating fire evacuation plan;
2. Where possible, to represent the Association in Fire Safety Bureau’s Technical Review Sub-Committee;
3. To organise or participate fire safety campaigns/competitions;
4. To liase with relevant authorities on fire safety matters and disseminate them to FSMAS members;
5. To compile records of past fire incidents both local and overseas for case studies; and
6. To make representation to the relevant authorities if the interests of the Association and its members are affected.
* Subject to availability of fund
Seminar/talk organized by the Singapore Hotel Association may be attended by members at the agreed rate.
PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE
Policies
It is the policies of the FSMAS to : -
1. promote a good image of the Association to the Authority and the public;
2. promote good relations with the Authorities and other related organisations;
3. improve interaction and rapport amongst members both local and overseas;
4. keep members informed of current development
5. disseminating policies of SCDF/NFPC on fire safety matters to owners of buildings and provide feedback to the Authorities in tackling problems in fire safety;
6. draw up a programme for recruitment drive.
The Public Relations Sub-Committee was formed to ensure that the above policies were implemented. It will draw up a programme of activities and also to organize them. Members will be allowed to attend the activities at a subsidized rate.
Regular get-togethers with the Authorities and building owners will be organized to develop and harness a healthy relationship.
Get-togethers will also be organized for members as to reinforce the role of the Association and to recruit new members.
The Association will also organize various social activities for members and their families. Such as :
1. Games for members to compete against each other;
2. Children’s party for member’s family;
3. one-day tour to places of interests; etc
Newsletters and year book will be published and distributed to all members, building owners and the Authorities.
FSM course participants will be informed of the FSMAS, its role and objectives.
It is hoped that members will support the Association by actively participating in the activities organized.
PUBLICATION SUB-COMMITTEE
(To be formed after the AGM)
Policies
It is the policies of the Association to keep members informed of the Association’s activities and the development in the field of fire safety.
The Publication Sub-Committee was formed to publish quarterly newsletter/journal and yearbook. These will be distributed to all FSMAS members.
The Sub-Committee may use all legal means (such as advertisements, sponsorships etc) to generate income.
The chairman who will be the Chief Editor shall be responsible for editing and proof-reading.
Articles to be published should be approved by the Management Committee.
It is also the responsibility of the Chief Editor to obtain a permit and approval from the Ministry of Communication and Information before publishing.
OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of the Association are :
- To represent members and to coordinate members’ activities in promoting their legitimate individual and collective interest as Fire Safety Managers’
- To coordinate efforts of members in preventing and detecting fire in the respective buildings and complexes for which the members are responsible;
- To provide the opportunity for exchange of ideas and information on fire and the methods of operation with a view to upgrade the fire safety of their buildings and complexes;
- To coordinate the implementation by members of fire prevention and protection measures that would help reduce fire in their respective buildings and complexes;
- To act as a consolidated action-group to promote a sense of awareness and concern with fire prevention and protection in their respective premises to safeguard against fire;
- To promote the Association as a professional body of highly qualified, disciplined, respectable and efficient Fire Safety Managers;
- To make recommendations for the improvement of members’ welfare and advancement in their calling.
