Fire Services Department Strengthens Coordination Mechanism for Buildings Wrapped in Scaffolding
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's aging building stock poses significant fire safety challenges, particularly when structures are wrapped in scaffolding and safety nets during renovation works. The Fire Services Department has established a comprehensive multi-agency coordination mechanism to address these risks proactively.
Key Points
- The Fire Services Department collaborates with the Buildings Department, Architectural Services Department, and Housing Bureau Independent Checking Unit to receive pre-notification of scaffolding-net buildings
- Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Fire Engineering Compliance) Chan Chi-lok oversees the targeted inspection program that identifies fire safety risks before incidents occur
- Inspections verify functionality of manual fire alarm bells, water tank reserves, fire pumps, hydrant and hose reel systems, and annual maintenance records
- Violations involving fire door removal, blocked escape routes, or unauthorized worker/material openings are referred to relevant departments for enforcement action
- The department has recommended stop-work orders for 18 buildings where major fire protection systems were found inoperative
- Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Operations Research) Leung Lok-hang explains that a fire in a scaffolding-net building triggers deployment of one rescue team and two fire engines
- An additional risk management team comprising a lifting platform, rescue vehicle, and drone unit is deployed when adjacent scaffolding-net buildings are threatened
- Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras provide aerial surveillance to assess fire spread and coordinate evacuation warnings
Why It Matters
This mechanism addresses the heightened fire risks in Hong Kong's densely built urban environment where scaffolding-net buildings create potential blind spots for emergency response. With building maintenance intensifying across the territory, the integrated approach ensures that preventive measures and rapid response capabilities evolve in tandem to protect residents and firefighters alike .
This mechanism addresses the heightened fire risks in Hong Kong's densely built urban environment where scaffolding-net buildings create potential blind spots for emergency response. With building maintenance intensifying across the territory, the integrated approach ensures that preventive measures and rapid response capabilities evolve in tandem to protect residents and firefighters alike .