AED Singapore — Complete Guide to Automated External Defibrillators for Workplaces and Buildings

Q: What is the difference between the Philips HS1 and FRx AED?

The Philips HS1 is compact and lightweight for general workplace and public use. The FRx has a robust casing for demanding environments, can be used on metal and wet surfaces, and includes a child key so only one pad is needed for adults and children — preferred for industrial sites, outdoor use and CERT teams. Both share the same SMART Analysis, adaptive shock energy up to 360 joules and 8-year device warranty.

Q: How do I register my AED with SCDF in Singapore?

Email R-AEDi@scdf.gov.sg with your organisation name, AED brand, model and location address to register with the national AED registry. Your AED will then appear on SCDF myResponder app, allowing dispatchers and volunteer first responders to locate it during a nearby cardiac emergency. Registration is free and registry members receive incentives including pad and battery replacement when the AED is used.

Plony Industries
Jul 8
9 min read

Updated: Jul 10

More than 3,000 people in Singapore suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) every year — with close to 80% occurring outside healthcare facilities, in homes, workplaces and public spaces. Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by 7–10%. An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on the premises gives bystanders the ability to act in those critical minutes before SCDF arrives.

This guide covers everything you need to know about AED in Singapore — what an AED does, who needs one, how to choose between the Philips HS1 and FRx, maintenance requirements and where to buy.

What Is an AED?

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a portable medical device that analyses a person's heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock — defibrillation — to restore a normal heartbeat during sudden cardiac arrest. Unlike a hospital defibrillator operated by trained medical staff, modern AEDs are designed specifically for use by members of the public with little or no medical training. They do all the diagnostic work automatically and provide clear voice instructions guiding the user step by step.

How an AED works in an emergency:

• Turn on the AED — it immediately begins guiding you with voice instructions

• Attach the electrode pads to the patient's bare chest as shown on the pads

• The AED analyses the patient's heart rhythm automatically — no action required from you

• If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED instructs you to deliver a shock

• After the shock, the AED guides you to begin CPR and monitors for rhythm changes

• Continue following AED instructions until SCDF arrives

No special training is required to use an AED in Singapore — it is designed to be used by anyone. However, CPR and AED training is strongly recommended and is mandatory in many workplaces under MOM and Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) requirements.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Singapore — Why AEDs Matter

Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack. It occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops beating — the person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Without immediate intervention, brain damage begins within 4–6 minutes and death follows shortly after.

The Singapore Heart Foundation tracks out-of-hospital cardiac arrest statistics closely. Key facts relevant to premises managers and business owners in Singapore:

• More than 3,000 Singaporeans suffer sudden cardiac arrest every year

• Close to 80% of cases occur outside healthcare facilities — in homes, workplaces and public spaces

• Bystander CPR increases survival rate by 2.2 times — but it is not enough alone

• The average out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate in Singapore is 22.2% — but when CPR and AED are applied immediately by bystanders, survival rates can reach as high as 50%. Despite this, bystander AED use remains low at around 9.5%

• Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by 7–10%

• SCDF emergency response typically takes 8–12 minutes — the AED gap must be filled by bystanders

The SCDF's Save-A-Life (SAL) Initiative, launched in 2015 in collaboration with MOH and Singapore Heart Foundation, aims to increase community first response capacity — including AED deployment and CPR training. SCDF has partnered with the Singapore Heart Foundation to maintain a national AED registry. There are now over 10,000 publicly accessible AEDs in Singapore — including one AED at the lift lobby of every 2 HDB blocks island-wide. Over 200 taxis and private hire vehicles are also equipped with AEDs under the AED-on-Wheels initiative. Registering your AED with SCDF's myResponder app allows SCDF dispatchers to direct bystanders to your AED in a cardiac emergency.

Is an AED Mandatory in Singapore?

Currently, AEDs are not legally required in most Singapore workplaces, schools and public areas — unlike fire extinguishers which are mandatory under the Fire Safety Act. However, this does not mean AEDs are optional from a workplace safety standpoint.

Several important requirements and guidelines apply:

• The Workplace Safety and Health Act mandates that workplaces with more than 25 employees must have at least one trained first aid responder — and AED training is increasingly expected alongside CPR certification

• SCDF guidelines recommend AED availability in high-traffic areas and public buildings

• MOH guidelines encourage AED deployment in workplaces, condominiums and community spaces

• CERT (Company Emergency Response Team) guidelines from SCDF include AED as standard CERT equipment

• Many building management requirements and tenancy agreements in commercial and industrial developments now specify AED provision

The practical standard in Singapore's commercial and industrial sector is clear: any premises where people work, exercise, gather or reside should have at least one AED. The cost of an AED is minimal compared to the liability and moral responsibility of not having one when it is needed.

Philips HeartStart AED — HS1 and FRx

Plony Industries supplies Philips HeartStart AED in Singapore — two models covering the full range of workplace and environmental requirements. Philips HeartStart is the most widely deployed AED brand in Singapore, trusted by hospitals, government agencies, corporate premises and CERT teams.

Philips HeartStart HS1

The HS1 is the most widely deployed AED in Singapore workplaces, condominiums and public buildings. Compact, lightweight and designed for immediate use by anyone — even those with no prior AED training.

• SMART Analysis technology automatically analyses heart rhythm

• Pre-connected SMART Pads for fast deployment

• Adaptive shock energy up to 360 joules

• Clear, calm voice instructions guiding every step

• 8-year device warranty (from date of manufacturing); battery life approximately 4 years; pad shelf life approximately 2 years

Best for: Offices, commercial buildings, condominiums, schools, gyms, hotels and general public areas

Philips HeartStart FRx

The FRx is suitable for both adult and child use and can be used on both metal and wet surfaces — making it the preferred choice for industrial sites, outdoor use and Company Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

• Same SMART Analysis and adaptive shock energy as the HS1

• Child key available — only 1 pad needed for both adult and child use

• Robust casing for demanding environments

• Can be used on metal and wet surfaces

• 8-year device warranty; battery approximately 4 years; pads approximately 2 years

Best for: Factories, warehouses, construction sites, outdoor environments and CERT-equipped workplaces

Philips HS1 vs FRx — Full Comparison

Factor	Philips HeartStart HS1	Philips HeartStart FRx
Design	Compact and lightweight	Robust casing for demanding environments
SMART Analysis	Yes — automatic heart rhythm analysis	Yes — same SMART Analysis as HS1
Shock energy	Adaptive up to 360 joules	Adaptive up to 360 joules
Voice guidance	Clear, calm step-by-step voice instructions	Same voice guidance as HS1
Paediatric capability	Separate child pads required	Child key included — 1 pad for adult and child use
Surface compatibility	Standard indoor surfaces	Metal and wet surfaces — suitable for industrial and outdoor use
Environment	Indoor — offices, condos, schools, gyms	Indoor and outdoor — industrial sites, construction, events
CERT suitability	Suitable	Preferred choice for CERT teams
Device warranty	8 years from date of manufacturing	8 years from date of manufacturing
Battery life	~4 years standby	~4 years standby
Pad shelf life	~2 years	~2 years

Both models are genuine Philips HeartStart AED units supplied by Plony Industries

Who Needs an AED in Singapore?

The following premises types should have at least one AED accessible and maintained:

Premises Type	Why an AED Is Needed	Recommended Model
Offices and commercial buildings	High foot traffic; employees and visitors at risk of SCA	Philips HeartStart HS1
Condominiums (MCST)	Residents including elderly at risk; SCDF myResponder AED network includes condominiums	Philips HeartStart HS1
Factories and warehouses	Physical labour increases cardiac risk; may have metal floors or wet environments	Philips HeartStart FRx
Construction sites	High physical exertion; outdoor and wet conditions; CERT teams on site	Philips HeartStart FRx
Gyms and fitness centres	Strenuous exercise is a known SCA trigger; all age groups at risk	Philips HeartStart HS1
Schools and childcare centres	Staff and visitors at risk; paediatric capability may be required	Philips HeartStart FRx (child key)
Hotels and dormitories	Large resident populations; elderly guests; 24-hour operations	Philips HeartStart HS1
CERT-equipped workplaces	AED is standard CERT equipment per SCDF guidelines	Philips HeartStart FRx

For premises with multiple floors or large floor areas, one AED per floor or per 2,500 sqm is a commonly recommended guideline — ensuring the device can be retrieved and deployed within 2–3 minutes of a cardiac event anywhere on the premises.

How to Use an AED — Step by Step

Using a Philips HeartStart AED is straightforward. The device guides you with voice instructions throughout. Follow these steps:

• Call 995 immediately — do not delay calling SCDF while retrieving the AED

• Turn on the AED by pressing the green button or opening the lid

• Follow the voice instructions — the AED will tell you exactly what to do

• Expose the patient's chest and apply the electrode pads as shown in the diagrams on the pads

• The AED analyses the heart rhythm automatically — stand clear and do not touch the patient

• If a shock is advised, ensure no one is touching the patient and press the shock button when instructed

• Follow CPR instructions — the AED will guide compression rate and depth

• Continue following AED instructions until SCDF arrives and takes over

Important: Do not be afraid to use an AED. The device will not instruct you to shock a patient who does not need it — it analyses the rhythm first and only advises a shock when clinically appropriate. AEDs are designed to be safe in the hands of non-medical users.

AED Maintenance in Singapore — What You Need to Do

An AED is only effective if it is maintained and ready for immediate use. An expired pad or flat battery means the device cannot function in an emergency — which defeats the purpose of having one.

Regular Checks

• Check the AED status indicator light regularly — green means ready, red or amber means attention required

• Inspect the device for physical damage and ensure it is stored in an accessible, clearly marked location

• Confirm pads are within their expiry date — replace approximately every 2 years

• Confirm battery is within its validity — replace approximately every 4 years

Annual Servicing

Annual AED servicing by a qualified provider is strongly recommended and increasingly required for workplace safety audits and compliance documentation. Fiready Pte Ltd, sister company of Plony Industries and the authorised Philips AED distributor in Singapore, provides comprehensive AED maintenance services including annual inspection, pad and battery replacement, maintenance records and issuance of a servicing certificate for compliance purposes.

Register Your AED with SCDF

Register your AED's location with the national AED registry — this allows SCDF dispatchers to direct bystanders to your AED if a cardiac arrest occurs near your premises. Registration is free. To register, email R-AEDi@scdf.gov.sg with your organisation name, AED brand and model, and the location address. Once registered, your AED will appear on SCDF's myResponder app, which is used by both SCDF dispatchers and volunteer first responders to locate the nearest AED during a cardiac emergency. There are membership benefits for AED registry members, including pad and battery replacement incentives when your AED is used in an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions — AED Singapore

What is an AED?

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a portable medical device that analyses heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore normal heartbeat during sudden cardiac arrest. Modern AEDs provide step-by-step voice instructions, making them suitable for non-medical personnel with little or no training.

Is an AED mandatory in Singapore workplaces?

AEDs are not currently legally mandatory in most Singapore workplaces, schools or public areas. However, SCDF and MOH guidelines strongly recommend AED availability in high-traffic premises, and CERT-equipped workplaces are expected to include an AED as part of their standard emergency response equipment.

What is the difference between the Philips HS1 and FRx?

The Philips HS1 is compact and lightweight, designed for general workplace and public use. The FRx has a robust casing for demanding environments, can be used on metal and wet surfaces, and includes a child key so only one pad is needed for adults and children — making it the preferred choice for industrial sites, outdoor use and CERT teams. Both share the same SMART Analysis technology, adaptive shock energy up to 360 joules and an 8-year device warranty.

How long do AED pads and batteries last?

Philips AED electrode pads have a shelf life of approximately 2 years. The battery lasts approximately 4 years under standby conditions. Both should be replaced before expiry to ensure the device is always ready for use.

Do I need training to use an AED in Singapore?

No special training is required to use an AED — it is designed for use by anyone with no prior medical training. The device provides clear voice instructions throughout. However, CPR and AED training is strongly recommended and is mandatory in many workplaces under MOM WSH requirements. Training significantly improves response confidence and effectiveness.

How do I register my AED with SCDF?

Email R-AEDi@scdf.gov.sg with your organisation name, AED brand, model and location address to register with the national AED registry. Your AED will then appear on SCDF's myResponder app, allowing dispatchers and volunteer first responders to locate it during a nearby cardiac emergency. Registration is free and registry members receive incentives including pad and battery replacement when the AED is used.

Where can I buy an AED in Singapore?

Plony Industries supplies Philips HeartStart HS1 and FRx AED in Singapore as an authorised dealer for Fiready — the Philips AED distributor. Contact us at 6366 5855 or cs@plonyindustries.com for pricing and availability.

Buy AED in Singapore — Plony Industries

Plony Industries supplies genuine Philips HeartStart HS1 and FRx AED in Singapore as an authorised dealer for Fiready Pte Ltd — the Philips AED distributor in Singapore. Ready stock, island-wide delivery.

• Philips HeartStart HS1 — for offices, condominiums and general workplaces

• Philips HeartStart FRx — for industrial, outdoor and CERT teams

• Replacement electrode pads and batteries in stock

• 8-year device warranty on all Philips HeartStart units

• AED maintenance and annual servicing — through Fiready Pte Ltd

• Island-wide delivery across Singapore

Contact Us: +65 6366 5855 | cs@plonyindustries.com

AED Singapore Page: www.plonyindustries.com/safety/philips-aed-singapore

Full AED Solutions (Fiready): www.fireadysg.com