TNAG-1854-FCO40-2629-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 167

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 11 January 1989

香港立法局

—————————一九八九年一月十一日

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tightening up his action on potential fire hazards under the Fire Services Ordinance.

PROF. POON: Sir, will the Secretary inform this Council how many fires in the last three years were due to faulty electrical wiring?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS: Sir, in 1986 there was a total of 1 749 fires having electrical causes, out of a total of 18 808, that is, 9.3% of fires in 1986. In 1987, there were 1 636 electric fires, constituting 7.83%. In 1988, there were 1 543, constituting 7.96%. Now, these were electrical fires in total. I understand that the majority of these were in fact caused by overloading of installation, or by faulty appliances, or adaptors, and I am afraid that electrical wiring in buildings is not categorized separately.

MR. BARROW: Sir, will the Administration confirm to this Council that the forthcoming licensing of guest houses will stipulate the need to properly maintain the wiring of those establishments?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS: Sir, I understand that the legislation to be introduced on guest houses will have a licensing requirement. But I understand also that licensing requirement will involve the Director of Fire Services in inspections on safety, and similar procedures for guest houses will be applied, as are now applied in cinemas, and in other places of public entertainment. Whether the reference to electrical hazards or electrical fittings will be specific I cannot at present confirm.

MRS. LAU: Sir, with regard to places of public entertainment, such as restaurants and cinemas, would the Administration consider it necessary or desirable to have these premises inspected by the Fire Services Department, not only at the time of the initial issuance of the licences, but also on every occasion of renewal of the licences to ensure that the electrical installations therein have not become potential fire hazards?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS: I think that perhaps the Secretary for Security will be able to answer that question.

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, there are no plans at present for this to be done, but there is no reason why the Administration should not have a look at this. I will certainly look into the matter. In the meantime, of course, the same