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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1983
FIRE SAFETY INVOLVES EVERYONE
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SATISFACTORY LEVELS OF FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY WITH EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WITH THE FULL COOPERATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON MRS RITA FAN WHO WISHED TO KNOW WHAT ACTION IS TAKEN TO REMOVE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND OBSTRUCTIONS WHICH POSE A FIRE HAZARD AND WHAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD DO IF THEY DETECT SUCH OBSTRUCTIONS.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS DEAL WITH SUCH FIRE HAZARDS UNDER THE ABATEMENT PROCEDURE LAID DOWN IN THE FIRE SERVICE ORDINANCE. THEY FIRST CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HAZARD AND, IF THEY CANNOT FIND THE PERSON CONCERNED, THEY ASKED THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF A BUILDING TO REMOVE IT. IN ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF CASES THIS BRINGS RESULTS.
IN THE OTHER 60 PER CENT A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE HAS TO BE SERVED. THIS GIVES A TIME LIMIT FOR THE DANGER TO BE REMOVED. AFTER THIS PROSECUTION FOLLOWS. HOWEVER, PROSECUTION IS NECESSARY ONLY IN ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF SUCH CASES.
WHERE THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE, OR A PERSON REPEATEDLY OFFENDS THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES IS EMPOWERED TO REMOVE THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND OBSTRUCTIONS THOUGH THIS POWER IS RARELY USED.
THE BEST ANSWER IS FOR ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO BE DISCOURAGED IN THE FIRST PLACE, HE SAID, PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS PUT THIS MESSAGE ACROSS TOGETHER WITH VISITS BY CREWS AND OFFICERS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU,
+DESPITE ALL THESE EFFORTS, SATISFACTORY LEVELS OF FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY WITH EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WITH THE FULL COOPERATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC,+ SAID MR JEAFFRESON,
+THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) HAS SET UP A COMMITTEE TO SEE HOW MANAGEMENT COULD BE IMPROVED.+
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO COME ACROSS OBSTRUCTIONS CAUSING FIRE HAZARDS SHOULD REPORT THEM TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THROUGH ANY FIRE STATION OR VIA THE FIRES SERVICES HOTLINE 5-281224 WHICH OPERATES 24 HOURS A DAY.
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