Singapore construction glossary for overseas engineers
Plain-English explanations of the abbreviations and terms used every day on Singapore building projects — QP, RE, RTO, BCA, PUB, ECM, PFI, TOP, CSC and more.
Engineers who are new to Singapore projects quickly meet a wall of abbreviations. This glossary explains the most common ones in plain English. Always check the relevant agency's website for current requirements.
Agencies
- BCA — Building and Construction Authority: building control, structural plan approval, construction quality and façade safety.
- URA — Urban Redevelopment Authority: land-use planning and development control.
- PUB — Singapore's national water agency: drainage, sewerage, water supply, Earth Control Measures and ABC Waters.
- LTA — Land Transport Authority: roads, rail and works near rail and road infrastructure.
- SCDF — Singapore Civil Defence Force: fire safety requirements and fire certificates.
- MOM — Ministry of Manpower: workplace safety and health, and work passes.
- PEB — Professional Engineers Board: registration of Professional Engineers.
People and roles
- QP — Qualified Person: the architect or engineer who prepares plans submitted to the authorities and supervises the works.
- PE — Professional Engineer registered with PEB.
- RE — Resident Engineer: a full-time site supervisor assisting the QP on structural works.
- RTO — Resident Technical Officer: a full-time site supervisor assisting the QP.
- AC — Accredited Checker: an independent checker of structural designs for certain projects.
- ECMO — Earth Control Measures Officer: site personnel responsible for maintaining and monitoring ECM.
- WSHO — Workplace Safety and Health Officer.
- FSM — Fire Safety Manager.
Processes and documents
- TOP — Temporary Occupation Permit: allows a completed building to be occupied before the CSC is issued.
- CSC — Certificate of Statutory Completion.
- PFI — Periodic Façade Inspection of existing buildings.
- ECM — Earth Control Measures: measures to prevent silty water and soil leaving a construction site.
- ABC Waters — PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters programme and design features.
- ERSS — Earth Retaining or Stabilising Structures for excavations.
- PTW — Permit-to-Work, used for higher-risk activities on site.
- RA — Risk Assessment under WSH requirements.
- PDU — Professional Development Unit, the continuing-development unit used by PEB for PE renewal.
Want to go further?
QP Academy's Singapore career readiness courses explain how these pieces fit together on real projects.