sible for outbreaks of fire, the latter continue to show, particularly in the winter months, a lack of interest which is at times alarming.
LEGISLATION
Dangerous Goods Regulations
115. The operation of the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations was postponed sine die, pending a comprehensive review of all the legislation relating to dangerous goods. Work on the review is now well advanced.
Summary Offences Ordinance
116. Practical experience has proved that Sect. 6A of the Summary Offences Ordinance dealing with obstructions to means of escape should be transferred to the Fire Services Ordinance and extended to include powers of inspection to investigate obvious fire hazards. The necessary amending legislation has now been drafted.
Buildings (Fire Service Installations) Regulations
117. The extraordinary increase in the number and type of multi- storey buildings requires, in the interest of the occupants, more stringent standards for fire service installations and fire alarm systems. New standards have been agreed, and legislation is in course of preparation.
DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATIONS
118. Architects and allied professions have found difficulty at times in ascertaining acceptable standards in matters of fire protection other than structural requirements when designing new buildings. A variety of conflicting standards has been available, and to simplify procedure for the building trade generally, the Fire Prevention Bureau has com- menced issue of advisory pamphlets on 'Fire Prevention Standards- Hong Kong.
BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE
119. The Department is especially grateful to the officers of the Buildings Ordinance Office for their invaluable technical assistance during the year in matters of Fire Prevention.
STANDARDS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
120. The tremendous growth in the number of new buildings has resulted in very considerable increases in the sale of miscellaneous
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