HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-8 March 1989
香港立法局
·九八九年三月八日
30
housing areas and public housing estates have hampered fire-fighting operations, thus allowing the fire to spread and causing greater losses, will Government inform this Council:
(1) how it ensures that these installations are maintained in proper working
order; and
(2) how soon after a fire is a burnt site cordoned off and cleared up in order not
to cause hazard to children at play and to the environment?
SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, fire services. installations in public housing estates and temporary housing areas are subject to regular maintenance and annual checks by a registered contractor in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Services (Installations and Equipment) Regulations of the Fire Services Ordinance. In addition, there are frequent inspections by management staff of the Housing Department to ensure that the equipment continues to be serviceable as described in the Annex.
These arrangements have proved to be satisfactory. The only problem to have arisen recently was in respect of the fire which occurred last December at Yick Yuen temporary housing area in Yuen Long. In this case, a fault in an automatic electrical switch affected the operation of a fire pump and a fire alarm. This was an isolated incident and the switch has since been repaired.
The Housing Department also follows procedures agreed with the Fire Services Department in respect of the clearance of fire sites. Once a fire has been extinguished in a temporary housing area, temporary barriers to prevent unauthorized entry are erected around the site immediately, with more substantial hoardings provided within 10 days. Moreover, the site is kept damp by spraying water, and clearance is arranged as quickly as possible, normally within 14 days. In case asbestos debris is found at fire sites, an approved specialist contractor will be engaged for its removal. These arrangements have proved satisfactory in keeping the public away from fire sites until such time as the areas are cleared.
In the event of a fire in public rental units, the Housing Department will look up or seal off the affected units as appropriate until repairs are carried out.