XN000022-1997-04-16 — Page 30

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Measure to prevent fires due to power leakage adequate

Following are a question by the Hon Choy Kan-pui and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Reply:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(a)

(b)

of the total number of fires related to power leakage in the past three years; and whether such fires were caused by power leakage in electrical appliances or power cords or as a result of short circuits; and

whether the existing legislation provides sufficient control measures to prevent the outbreak of fires due to power leakage?

The total number of fires recorded by FSD in the past 3 years which are believed to be originated from electrical fault are 1667, 1608 and 1628 for 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively. EMSD has investigated 23 of the major incidents which were suspected to be electrical in origin. Fifteen of these incidents were suspected to be due to faulty electrical installations while the other 8 were due to faulty electrical appliances (including power cords).

The Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 406) and its subsidiary legislation provide control measures regarding electrical safety, which include:

i)

ii)

a requirement that a fixed electrical installation shall, after completion (including any work completed after repair, alteration or addition) and before it is energised for use, be inspected, tested and certified by a registered electrical worker and contractor to confirm that the requirements of the Ordinance have been met;

existing fixed electrical installations located in specified types of premises have to be periodically (yearly or 5-yearly) inspected, tested and certified by registered electrical workers and contractors; and

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