ERSS submission requirements guide
A practical summary for owners, contractors and consultants planning excavation or earth retaining works in Singapore.
1. What is an ERSS?
An earth retaining structure includes any structure, structural system or other means used to maintain the shape of excavation during construction, earth filling or cutting.
2. Excavation depth trigger guide
Plan approval may not be required for certain shallow or exempted works, but the threshold changes depending on excavation type, whether it is within a building worksite and the material of the retaining structure.
| Scenario | Common BCA pathway |
|---|---|
| Excavation / ERSS not deeper than 1.5 m | Plan approval may not be required, subject to the First Schedule / site context. |
| 1.5 m < excavation / ERSS ≤ 4 m | QP(ST) submission may be required; AC may not be required. |
| 4 m < excavation / ERSS ≤ 6 m | QP(ST) and AC involvement may be required. |
| Excavation / ERSS > 6 m and GBW, such as basement excavation | QP(ST), QP(Geo), AC and AC(Geo) involvement may be required. |
3. Localised excavation
For pile cap, footing, sump, lift pit or trench works within a building worksite, BCA materials indicate that excavation not deeper than 2 m may be treated differently where the plan area does not exceed 10 square metres. Larger or deeper localised excavation can still require submission.
4. Submission package considerations
- ERSS plans and calculations.
- ERSS Annex A where plans approval is required.
- Site investigation report with PE certification where applicable.
- Design basis, excavation sequence, monitoring limits and temporary works assumptions.
- Coordination of QP(ST), AC, QP(Geo) and AC(Geo) where triggered.
5. During construction
- Permit / commencement workflow and BCA notification.
- Implementation of ERSS Annex C at site.
- Monthly ERSS Annex E submission via CORENET by the 7th where applicable.
- Monitoring and movement control limit management.
6. Record plans and close-out
Record plan requirements follow the building works procedure and can include C1, C2 and C3 forms, record piling plans and record structural plans where applicable. Temporary ERSS record plans may not be required where no part of the ERSS remains in the ground.