562835-1929-Minutes--No-4 — Page 3

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 17, 1929.

(b) Are the rescue-ladders of a sufficient height to reach the top floor of the tallest building in the Colony when any inmates are entrapped therein in the case of a fire?

(e) If not, will the Government take immediate steps to provide the Fire Department with a sufficiency of all appliances (including jumping- sheets) necessary so as to avert the recurrence of a disaster and to minimize, as far as practicable, the loss of lives such as happened in the King Edward Hotel fire?

(d) Will the Government cause an immediate inspection to be made of all the large buildings and offices in the Colony - eg., China Building, Queen's, King's, Alexandra, and similar buildings, to ascertain if—

(i) fire exits are provided on every floor therein;

(i) there are indicators showing the way to the exits and lighted in

red by night, in the same manner as is done in theatres;

(ii) that the passages along these exits are made easily accessible

and kept free from obstructions at all times?

(e) If no powers exist to compel the enforcement of the requirements stated in clauses (7), (77) and (77) of the foregoing question, will the Govern- ment frame and introduce early legislation with a view——

to amend the Building Ordinance so as to invest the Building Authority with statutory powers enabling him to call upon the owners of buildings of the type mentioned in Question (d) to make adequate and ample provision for fire-escapes in such buildings, and to permit of their regular inspection by officers appointed by the Government;

() to require that the main staircases of buildings designed for use as hostelries and groups of offices shall be built of fireproof material?

(f) Will the Government consider the advisability of compelling holders of Hotel Licences to fulfil the requirements set out in Question (d) and to instal automatic electric fire-alarms, or other mechanical contrivances for effectively raising alarms upon an outbreak of fire, in their premises?

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:--

(a) The Government is satisfied that the life-saving apparatus and equipment of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade are thoroughly up to date except the motor turntable ladder which is seven years old, and is 63 feet in height. It is to be remembered that this appliance is primarily a water-tower, to be used as such by members of the Fire Brigade, and can only occa- sionally be used for life-saving purposes, in circumstances requiring extreme care and considerable skill. The Government has taken note of the suggestion in the finding of the Jury at the Inquest into the fata- lities in the King Edward Hotel fire that an improved water-tower should be obtained and the matter is now under consideration. The cost is considerable and may amount to as much as $30,000 for one machine.

(6) No. The longest manual fire escape in Hong Kong is 55 feet in height, which is the largest made. The largest mechanical Fire Brigade ladder or water-tower inanufactured so far as is known is only 88 feet in length and there are many buildings in the Colony with stories above this height. It is one of these water-towers which is referred to in the answer to the first part of the Honourable Member's question. (c) With the exception of the improved water-tower already referred to, the Fire Brigade has all the equipment recognised by the London Fire Brigade as life-saving apparatus. Certain other appliances such as rocket lines have been under careful consideration but are not considered to be of practical value.

(d), (e) and (f) Power of inspection of buildings by the Building Authority exists, but the necessary staff to make immediate inspections such as are suggested in the Honourable Member's question is not available. Inspections were actually made by Fire Brigade Officers of 982 buildings during 1928 and advice given. The more difficult questions are those