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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1987
FIRE PREVENTION CODE FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS PLANNED
AND
FIRE THE
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY THE HEALTH WELFARE BRANCH IS NOW PREPARING A CODE OF PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF PREVENTION AND HYGIENE STANDARDS IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT IN GENERAL, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL NEW BUILDINGS WERE EQUIPPED WITH APPROPRIATE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, SANITARY FITTINGS, PLUMBING, DRAINAGE WORKS, LATRINES AND REFUSE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
"THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL ISSUE AN OCCUPATION PERMIT FOR THE BUILDING CONCERNED ONLY AFTER THESE AND OTHER STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MET, HE SAID.
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HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS MUST BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND CERTIFIED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION BY A REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR ONCE A YEAR.
"IN ADDITION, THERE ARE
ORDINANCE TO ABATE FIRE HAZARDS.
PROVISIONS IN THE FIRE SERVICES
"THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT ALL PERMISES MAINTAIN A REASONABLE STANDARD OF HEALTH AND HYGIENE, HE SAID.
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MR JEAFFRESON NOTED THAT APARTMENTS USED AS BOARDING HOUSES, GUEST HOUSES, BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, INNS AND MOTELS WERE INSPECTED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND HEALTH INSPECTORS.
SINCE 1985, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD INSPECTED 641 SUCH APARTMENTS AND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT WAS SATISFIED WITH THE CONDITION OF THE PREMISES AND OF THE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS IN THEM, HE SAID.
"IN RESPECT OF THE 171 KNOWN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS INSPECTED, THE FIRE RISKS IN SOME WERE HIGHER THAN IN NORMAL RESIDENTIAL PREMISES.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN ADVICE OPERATORS. ALL EXCEPT NINE OF THEM HAVE THEIR PREMISES.
ON FIRE IMPROVED
PREVENTION TO THE THE CONDITIONS IN
CONSIDERING TAKING LEGAL
H 'THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ACTION AGAINST THOSE WHO HAVE NOT DONE SO," HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT HEALTH INSPECTORS ALSO VISITED BIDSPACE APARTMENTS ON A QUARTONLY BASIS AND OTHER APARTMENTS USED AS BOARDING HOUSES, GUEST HOUSES, INNS AND MOTELS ON AN AD HOC BASIS, USUALLY IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLAINTS.
"IF ANY