CO129-626-2 Movement of dangerous goods around Hong Kong 1-1-1951 - 30-4-1951 — Page 27

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In the draft Regulations submitted we have specified the landing places at which Dangerous Goods should be landed from local water transport.

We have not attempted, however, to lay down where the approved wharves should be, as this would pre-suppose the acceptance by Government of these Regulations in toto and is more properly a duty of the proposed Dangerous Goods Standing Committee. It is, however, the Committee's opinion that the following items should be satisfied in respect of the construction and equipment of all new wharves and go- downs which the owners desire to have designated as approved wharves and storage places. In the case of existing wharves, these should, as opportunity afforüs, be provided with the equipment specified in so far as it is reasonable and practicable.

It is submitted that all wharves and places for landing, loading or storing Dangerous Goods or Explosives should be referred to the proposed Standing Committee for action under the following heads : (a) The sites in the Colony should receive the most care-

ful consideration by the Town Planning Board and be approved by the Marine and Fire Departments.

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(b) All buildings, stores and wharves should be approved by the Building Authority and the Fire Department as to fire-resistant materials for buildings, fire ser- vice lines and hydrants, the lay-out of buildings and piers or wharves devised to give clear access for Fire Brigade vehicles with auxiliary pumps to sea water, approved first-aid fire appliances, telephones on wharves and the maximum number of licensed storage places for Dangerous Goods.

(c) A system of watchmen, trained in fire-fighting, should

be organised on patrols to prevent smoking and sabo- tage and to detect fires, in touch with a Central Anti-Fire Control Room by telephone at selected points along the patrol routes.

(a) The entrance of unauthorised persons to Dangerous

Goods storage places and godowns should, as far as possible, be limited by enclosure of the odown estate or compound.

Increasing the Storage Space of the Colony

Under Term of Reference (h) the Committee has considered the possibility of increasing the storage space in the Colony by per- mitting Dangerous Goods or Explosives to be stored in hulks, but can- not recommend, except in very exceptional circumstances, such a proposal, as the high insurance rates do not make such a scheme commercially feasible and the lack of skilled supervision, stowage facilities for incompatible substances and the annual typhoon season make it unsound from a safety viewpoint.

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Fire Prevention and Alarm Signals

We recommend that the general regulations in respect of fire prevention, action in case of fire, alarm signals, etc., should be grouped under one part; many of the regulations outlined are in force at the moment, but new International Code Signals for ships on fire and regulations as to dangerous fumes in confined spaces have been added.

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