XN000022-1977-01-12 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1977

F.S.D. TO LAUNCH AREA INSPECTION SCHEME

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THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH LARGE SCALE INSPECTIONS OF PREMISES IN DESIGNATED AREAS IN A BID TO IMPROVE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY AT THE ROTARY CLUB EAST LUNCHEON MEETING, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (FIRE PREVENTION), MR. ALAN JONES, SAID THE AREA INSPECTIONS SCHEME WOULD START THIS MONTH.

THE SCHEME, HE SAID, WAS IN ADDITION TO THE BUREAU'S ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, AND TO INSPECTIONS ARISING FROM COMPLAINTS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PLAN INVOLVED ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THE DATE WHEN OFFICERS FROM THE BUREAU WOULD BE CONDUCTING LARGE SCALE INVESTIGATIONS OF VARIOUS PREMISES IN A DESIGNATED AREA, SUCH AS KWUN TONG, CHAI WAN, MONG KOK AND YUEN LONG.

+BY MEANS OF VARIOUS COMMUNICATION MEDIA, HE CONTINUED, *WE HOPE AND TRUST THAT EVERYONE WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THE FORTHCOMING VISITS AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PREMISES WHETHER IT BE A WORKPLACE, A HOME, A BUILDING OR A COMPLEX WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW WITH REGARD TO SAFETY FROM FIRE.+

MR. JONES FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT ON INSPECTION DAY, THERE WOULD BE SQUADS OF FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL FORMED INTO TEAMS WHO WOULD INSPECT AND CHECK VARIOUS BUILDINGS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

HE SAID THE SQUADS WOULD BE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FOR ANY PROBLEMS WHICH INHIBIT OR RESTRICT AUTHORISED MEANS OF ESCAPE. THEY WOULD ALSO CHECK AND ENSURE THAT ALL FIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS LOCATED AND FITTED IN ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF PREMISES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED, ARE NOT OBSTRUCTED AND ARE CLEARLY SEEN+.

+ IF WE FIND ANY INFRINGEMENTS OF LAWS WITH REGARD TO MEANS OF ESCAPE AND FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, MR. JONES ADDED, +WE WILL WITHOUT FURTHER ADO TAKE THE NECESSARY LEGAL ACTION TO DEAL FIRMLY WITH THE OFFENDERS.+

HE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST THE BUREAU'S OFFICERS USUALLY ARRIVED IN AN AREA UNANNOUNCED AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT, INVARIABLY FINDING NUMEROUS IRREGULARITIES AND RESULTING IN FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES BEING ISSUED, AND COURT ACTION BEING TAKEN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH PROCEDURE WAS TIME-CONSUMING AND HAD LITTLE IMPACT AS VERY FEW PEOPLE TOOK NOTICE OF SOMEONE ELSE'S MISFORTUNE.

/WHILE