SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS_TO_NO. 5— SUPPLA
Dr. CHIU: Sir, will the Government inform this Council what measures have
been taken by the MTR so far to educate the public so that commuters will
not only be familiar with the emergency exits but also understand when to do
what when the alarm bell rings?
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT: Sir, as I said in my main reply, MTR stations and
have trains are virtually free from all the hazards which mentioned. However, the MTR Corporation give clear instructions to all staff.
does
Passengers are issued with pamphlets showing plans on evacuation,
including the emergency doors. Indeed, at the end of each train there are clear
instructions on the door showing how to break the glass door of the handle for
open the emergencies door. And, of course, smoking is
forbidden in all trains and stations.
Lany
Miss
but
TAM :
only three
Sir, as there is a separate emergency plan for each station,
fire drills for the staff in a year,
how can the
MTR be sure that the staff in particular shift are familiar with the relevant
emergency plan?
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT:
Sir, the emergency plan for each station is a detailed plan which gives additional instructions to all staff. But the
arrangements are standard throughout all stations, including the central control depot at Kowloon Bay which is linked directly to the Fire Services Operational Centre. So, all staff are fuly aware of the procedures which are standard
procedures and all communications are, indeed, automatic, between stations and the depot and the fire services headquarters. Therefore, a minimum of three drills
per year is adequate for the moment.
Prof.
POON: Sir, with reference to paragraph 4 of the answer, would the
only Secretary like to comment if he regards the availability of two emergency doors, one at each end of the train, be sufficient to allow passengers from a fully loaded train to leave the train at the shortest possible time, especially when there is a
fire on a train?
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT:
sufficient, both by
Yes, Sir. The arrangements are considered safe and
the MTRC
and by the UK Inspectorate.
Indeed,
if you leave at the side doors this is most dangerous in the case of emergencies, so leaving at either end of the train is the safest way to do so, and of course the entire train itself is composed mainly of non-combustible material, so the chances of a fire are very limited indeed.
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