HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
19 July 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年七月十九日
23
(b) whether it is aware of the fact that many restaurants are operating without going through proper licensing procedures and hence adequate
fire prevention installations, and how it intends to ensure the safety of customers of these restaurants in case of a fire?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, this Council was informed on 24 May that window openings were not essential means of access and escape in the case of multi-storey buildings and that staircases provided the main means of escape for occupants of multi-storey buildings and the main means of access for firemen in the event of a fire. Windows which have been boarded over externally for wall decoration or sign purposes in restaurants should not be a problem if exit doors and means of escape are not obstructed and are maintained to serve their designed purpose.
This type of external boarding, however, can affect the movement of smoke and aggravate the spread of fire within the premises to make fire fighting more difficult. The Director of Fire Services has therefore been considering ways and means of abating this hazard and is now finalizing a series of measures which, among others, will require:
(a) the installation of an automatic sprinkler system for premises exceeding a specified area and where the average quantity of combustible substances exceeds a specified quantity; and
(b) the installation of a smoke extraction system or a stipulation that a certain percentage of the openable windows on the external wall of the buildings should not be obstructed by decoration.
When details are finalized, the industries will be consulted before the requirements are implemented. It is expected that the new requirements will take effect by the end of this
year.
The operation of a restaurant without a licence is an offence under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance and the operator is liable to prosecution. The licensing authorities are aware of the fact that some restaurants are operating without licences and will take legal action against them. Where the situation constitutes a fire hazard, the Director of Fire Services will take action under section 9 of the Fire Services Ordinance. Following the amendment of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance in October 1988, the licensing authorities are empowered to apply to court for closure
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