6,500 buildings to be inspected for fire safety

These operations will run for one year.

According to a report, the Buildings and Fire Services Departments have launched a year-long joint operation to inspect escape routes in 6,500 old-style domestic and composite buildings.

They conducted a joint inspection of 10 buildings on Tai Nam Street, Sham Shui Po, today to launch the initiative, issuing two Fire Hazard Abatement Notices.

Speaking to the media after the inspection, Chief Building Surveyor Andy Yip said the target buildings were the same type as those affected by the 2011 Fa Yuen Street fire.

He said the common areas of old-style domestic and composite buildings, especially the staircases, are more prone to problems arising from poor management and maintenance, hindering fire safety.

“We have identified three types of irregularities - some units have removed their approved fire-rated doors, some have installed metal gates that may obstruct the means of escape of other units, and some have carried out unauthorised building works which may affect the means of escape."

He said the departments will take enforcement action against these problems, and will prosecute offenders.

"We will issue removal orders to ask these owners to carry out rectification works in accordance with the approved plans.”

Acting Senior Divisional Officer (Building Improvement) Lee Fung-chun said of the 10 buildings inspected, nine had obstructed escape routes, and one a locked roof door, while seven had poorly maintained fire service installations, and two had defective fire service installations.

He urged residents to keep the buildings’ escape paths clear, and to not lock exits to the roof and ground floor.