Fire_Services_1962-1963 — Page 37

portable fire fighting appliances. Investigation during the year has revealed the desirability in the public interest of ensuring that standards of effectiveness and reliability of such equipment are provided and enforced. Fire extinguishers, for example, which when operated become 'pressure vessels', are to the public no less dangerous than boilers. Whilst in many instances annual tests are carried out by reputable firms, there is evidence that thousands of extinguishers exist in the Colony which have never been tested since manufacture.

NEW PROJECTS

121. The New Projects Division of the Fire Prevention Bureau processed 1,101 plans for new structures representing an increase of nearly 50% over the previous year. More architects have taken the opportunity of seeking the advice from the Fire Prevention Bureau at line drawings stage, bringing benefits to all concerned.

ROUTINE LICENSING AND INSPECTION

122. The bureau inspects and gives advice on all premises in respect of which other Departments as well as our own issue a licence or permit, and the number of instances where a life or fire risk has developed since the issue of the last licence is quite astonishing. 197 certificates have been issued by the Department under section 10A(1) of the Education Ordinance agreeing to the use, subject to suitable standards, of rooms in buildings for use as private schools,

GENERAL OBSERVATION

123. Officers of the bureau have performed sterling work during the year, and it is certainly no fault of theirs that a reduction in the number of fires was not in consequence achieved. As an example of the oddities which face the bureau, it would not be inappropriate to quote a routine inspection. A complaint was made that the owner of an upper floor in a tenement building had installed a locked gate, denying the remainder of the occupants alternative egress in the event of fire. The owner was persuaded to remove the obstruction and report when he had done so. Upon a re-inspection, the inspecting officer found a most ferocious dog chained to the now open space.

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