XN000022-1997-01-08 — Page 17

A.

Publicity

2 -

B.

C.

On publicity, various departments have plans in hand to step up publicity on fire safety over the next few months. More publicity will be targeted at the importance of fire safety measures when carrying out welding works, the usefulness of carrying out regular fire drills, and the consequences of unauthorized alterations to protected means of escape, wedging open of smoke doors etc. The Fire Services Department will also be more proactive in disseminating fire safety messages to Owners' Corporations, through the support of the liaison network of the Home Affairs Department.

Enforcement

On enforcement, the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department and Labour Department are stepping up their enforcement actions. In addition to acting on complaints, the departments will be conducting more inspections and visits to buildings to examine their fire safety standards and installations.

Legislation

On the legislative side, the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Bill is now under scrutiny by a LegCo Bills Committee. This Bill requires enhancement to current standards in the provision of fire service installations, means of escape and access, and fire resisting construction in certain prescribed commercial premises. Most of the outstanding issues have been discussed in the Bills Committee and I hope the Bill can be enacted very soon. The Occupational Safety and Health Bill was introduced into this Council on 4 December 1996. This Bill covers all workplaces, including those in commercial buildings like Garley Building. Under subsidiary regulation to be made upon enactment of the Bill, there are provisions setting out fire precaution and safety measures to be taken in workplaces. Where necessary, the Commissioner of Labour may require employers to provide fire safety measures in addition to those required under any other law. We hope that the Council can expedite consideration and passage of this Bill.

The Government agrees with the community's views on the need to review the fire safety measures in buildings like Garley Building in order to prevent such tragedy from recurring. We consider that tackling the fire safety problem at old commercial/office buildings should be a matter of priority because the fire risk in these buildings is higher. Industrial buildings are more frequently inspected by the Labour Department and the Fire Services Department; early enforcement action can be taken against any irregularity or deficiency identified during these inspections. Fire load in residential buildings is comparatively lower, and in the event of fire the magnitude and degree of damage would be relatively less serious.