(d)
►
· 37 -
what measures have been put in place to reduce the chances of lift breakdowns?
Answer:
Mr President,
Monthly statistics on lift breakdown in public rental housing and Home Ownership Scheme estates in the last three years are at Annexes A-C.
The general causes of lift breakdown may be attributed mainly to equipment failure and vandalism. Depending on the seriousness of the fault to be corrected, the average repair time varies from less than two hours for minor faults which make up the majority of such breakdown, to not more than two days for general repairs and replacement of minor parts. Major overhaul and replacement work may take up to two weeks, but they constitute about 2% of breakdown incidents.
There are currently ten lift installation contractors and 12 lift maintenance contractors. Statistics on lifts serviced by each contractor, together with the breakdown rate, are at Annex D.
The following measures are adopted by the Housing Department to reduce the frequency of lift breakdown -
(a)
(b)
(c)
lift maintenance contractors are required to carry out statutory safety tests, weekly servicing work, and repair and replacement work when required;
Housing Department staff inspect all lifts on a quarterly basis. Defects discovered are reported, and maintenance contractors are instructed to take follow-up action; and
lift equipment is periodically modified and upgraded to enhance operational reliability and safety.
These measures have effectively reduced the frequency of lift breakdown from an average of one per lift per month in the early 1980's to 0.35 per lift per month in 1994-95.
End/Wednesday, July 26, 1995