1983 — Page 62

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

VII

Page 62 of 194

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, concerning the Bowrington Road market in Wan Chai, the problem is that it is quite difficult for people to do business on upper floors as there is competition from a lot of meat shops nearby. As to the market in Wong Tai Sin, about 125 stalls were converted for storage purpose. As I have already explained in my reply that it is mainly because of the design of the market that some of the stalls are placed in upper floors, and they are not economically viable. However, the main reason is because of the competition from numerous hawkers in the nearby estates which are outside the area of our control. We cannot interfere with hawkers within the housing estates.

2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):— What measures does the Council take to ensure that air-conditioning in theatres and cinemas are switched on so that proper ventilation and the correct temperature are maintained throughout public performances? What are the penalties for non-compliance of the regulations? Is the Council aware of recent complaints in the press regarding a certain cinema, and if yes, what action has been taken?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question relates to the inspection of ventilating systems in theatres and cinemas.

To ensure that theatres and cinemas are being maintained in a hygienic condition and that their ventilating systems are being properly maintained and operated in accordance with the Ventilation of Scheduled Premises By-laws, the health staff of the department make regular inspections to these establishments by both day and night.

Except in cases where exemptions are given, the Council normally imposes the requirement that a fused running hour meter must be fitted to the ventilating system and the management is required by law to record the reading of the meters in a log book at the beginning and end of each performance.

The Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance provides that any ventilating system in a theatre or cinema must be capable of providing for each person who may be accommodated in the premises not less than 13 cubic metres of outside air per hour. However, there are no legal standards concerning the temperature range at which the premises are to be kept. Air must be fresh, but it does not have to be cool.

The maximum penalty for failing to keep the ventilating system fully in operation when the theatre or cinema is open to the public is a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months.

The Council is aware of the recent complaint to the newspaper regarding a theatre in the Eastern District. The reader who wrote to the newspaper complained of poor ventilation and inadequate air-conditioning which he experienced soon after a movie started (the date was not specified). On the same day when the complaint was published (11.7.83) the health staff inspected the theatre and found the ventilating system in proper working order. They found that the ventilating system had been partially out of order for two days (from 7.7.83 to 9.7.83) due to leakage of refrigerant. The consequent rise in temperature then may have led to the complaint. A series of inspections had since been made to this particular theatre. Each time, the ventilating system was found being maintained and operated satisfactorily and there have been no further complaints.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. HOWARD YOUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it was mentioned in the reply that the management of the theatre was required to record the meter readings. If we receive complaints concerning ventilation in cinemas or theatres, can we consider installing automatic recording machines in these premises?

DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, about a decade ago, we received lots of complaints concerning the switching off of ventilation systems during the last show of the day. At that time, inspections were made only in daytime. But since the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee took up the matter, inspections have taken place both in the daytime and at night. In the past few years, as far as I can remember, we haven't taken any prosecution action. In fact, a cinema with a poor ventilation system will affect its own business. However, in future, if we receive complaints of this kind, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee will take Mr. YOUNG's point into consideration.

MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee as to whose responsibility is to make sure that the design and the construction of the air-conditioning system is capable of delivering a minimum of 13 cubic metres of so-called outside air per person per hour?

DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, of course, this was the standard laid down in the past and I assume that this must be the acceptable standard internationally. I think the air-conditioning company can give a better reply.

MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Dr. HUANG also replied that there is no legal standard as to the range of air-conditioning temperatures. But his answer said that the air must be fresh. So can I ask whether there is a legal standard of what is meant by fresh air, and how do we enforce that legal definition?

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VII Page 62 of 194 95 94 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, concerning the Bowrington Road market in Wan Chai, the problem is that it is quite difficult for people to do business on upper floors as there is competition from a lot of meat shops nearby. As to the market in Wong Tai Sin, about 125 stalls were converted for storage purpose. As I have already explained in my reply that it is mainly because of the design of the market that some of the stalls are placed in upper floors, and they are not economically viable. However, the main reason is because of the competition from numerous hawkers in the nearby estates which are outside the area of our control. We cannot interfere with hawkers within the housing estates. 2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):— What measures does the Council take to ensure that air-conditioning in theatres and cinemas are switched on so that proper ventilation and the correct temperature are maintained throughout public performances? What are the penalties for non-compliance of the regulations? Is the Council aware of recent complaints in the press regarding a certain cinema, and if yes, what action has been taken? DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question relates to the inspection of ventilating systems in theatres and cinemas. To ensure that theatres and cinemas are being maintained in a hygienic condition and that their ventilating systems are being properly maintained and operated in accordance with the Ventilation of Scheduled Premises By-laws, the health staff of the department make regular inspections to these establishments by both day and night. Except in cases where exemptions are given, the Council normally imposes the requirement that a fused running hour meter must be fitted to the ventilating system and the management is required by law to record the reading of the meters in a log book at the beginning and end of each performance. The Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance provides that any ventilating system in a theatre or cinema must be capable of providing for each person who may be accommodated in the premises not less than 13 cubic metres of outside air per hour. However, there are no legal standards concerning the temperature range at which the premises are to be kept. Air must be fresh, but it does not have to be cool. The maximum penalty for failing to keep the ventilating system fully in operation when the theatre or cinema is open to the public is a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months. The Council is aware of the recent complaint to the newspaper regarding a theatre in the Eastern District. The reader who wrote to the newspaper complained of poor ventilation and inadequate air-conditioning which he experienced soon after a movie started (the date was not specified). On the same day when the complaint was published (11.7.83) the health staff inspected the theatre and found the ventilating system in proper working order. They found that the ventilating system had been partially out of order for two days (from 7.7.83 to 9.7.83) due to leakage of refrigerant. The consequent rise in temperature then may have led to the complaint. A series of inspections had since been made to this particular theatre. Each time, the ventilating system was found being maintained and operated satisfactorily and there have been no further complaints. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. HOWARD YOUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it was mentioned in the reply that the management of the theatre was required to record the meter readings. If we receive complaints concerning ventilation in cinemas or theatres, can we consider installing automatic recording machines in these premises? DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, about a decade ago, we received lots of complaints concerning the switching off of ventilation systems during the last show of the day. At that time, inspections were made only in daytime. But since the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee took up the matter, inspections have taken place both in the daytime and at night. In the past few years, as far as I can remember, we haven't taken any prosecution action. In fact, a cinema with a poor ventilation system will affect its own business. However, in future, if we receive complaints of this kind, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee will take Mr. YOUNG's point into consideration. MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee as to whose responsibility is to make sure that the design and the construction of the air-conditioning system is capable of delivering a minimum of 13 cubic metres of so-called outside air per person per hour? DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, of course, this was the standard laid down in the past and I assume that this must be the acceptable standard internationally. I think the air-conditioning company can give a better reply. MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Dr. HUANG also replied that there is no legal standard as to the range of air-conditioning temperatures. But his answer said that the air must be fresh. So can I ask whether there is a legal standard of what is meant by fresh air, and how do we enforce that legal definition? Page 62 of 194

Baseline (Original)

ag VII Page 62 of 194 Page 62 of 194 95 94 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, concerning the Bowrington Road market in Wan Chai, the problem is that it is quite difficult for people to do business on upper floors as there is competition from a lot of meat shops nearby. As to the market in Wong Tai Sin, about 125 stalls were converted for storage purpose. As I have already explained in my reply that it is mainly because of the design of the market that some of the stalls are placed in upper floors, and they are not economically viable. However, the main reason is because of the competition from numerous hawkers in the nearby estates which are outside the area of our control. We cannot interfere with hawkers within the housing estates. 2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English);— What measures does the Council take to ensure that air-conditioning in theatres and cinemas are switched on so that proper ventilation and the correct temperature are maintained throughout public performances? What are the penalties for non- compliance of the regulations? Is the Council aware of recent complaints in the press regarding a certain cinema, and if yes, what action has been taken? DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question relates to the inspection of ventilating systems in theatres and cinemas. To ensure that theatres and cinemas are being maintained in a hygienic condition and that their ventilating systems are being properly maintained and operated in accordance with the Ventilation of Scheduled Premises By-laws, the health staff of the department make regular inspections to these establishments by both day and night. Except in cases where exemptions are given, the Council normally imposes the requirement that a fused running hour meter must be fitted to the ventilating system and the management is required by law to record the reading of the meters in a log book at the beginning and end of each performance. The Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance provides that any ventilating system in a theatre or cinema must be capable of providing for each person who may be accommodated in the premises not less than 13 cubic metres of outside air per hour. However, there are no legal standards concerning the temperature range at which the premises are to be kept. Air must be fresh, but it does not have to be cool. The maximum penalty for failing to keep the ventilating system fully in operation when the theatre or cinema is open to the public is a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months. The Council is aware of the recent complaint to the newspaper regarding a theatre in the Eastern District. The reader who wrote to the newspaper HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL complained of poor ventilation and inadequate air-conditioning which he soon after a movie started (the date was not specified). On the same experienced day when the complaint was published (11.7.83) the health staff inspected the theatre and found the ventilating system in proper working order. They found that the ventilating system had been partially out of order for two days (from 7.7.83 to 9.7.83) due to leakage of refrigerant. The consequent rise in temperature then may have led to the complaint. A series of inspections had since been made to this particular theatre. Each time, the ventilating system was found being maintained and operated satisfactorily and there have been no further complaints. MR. HOWARD YOUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it was mentioned in the reply that the management of the theatre was required to record the meter readings. If we receive complaints concerning ventilation in cinemas or theatres, can we consider installing automatic recording machines in these premises? DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, about a decade ago, we received lots of complaints concerning the switching off of ventilation systems during the last show of the day. At that time, inspections were made only in day time. But since the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee took up the matter, inspections have taken place both in the day time and at night. In the past few years, as far as I can remember, we haven't taken any prosecution action. In fact, a cinema with a poor ventilation system will affect its own business. However, in future, if we receive complaints of this kind, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee will take Mr. YOUNG's point into consideration. MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee as to whose responsibility is to make sure that the design and the construction of the air-conditioning system is capable of delivering a minimum of 13 cubic metres of so called outside air per person per hour? DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, of course, this was the standard laid down in the past and I assume that this must be the acceptable standard internationally. I think the air-conditioning company can give a better reply. MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Dr. HUANG also replied that there is no legal standard as to the range of air-conditioning temperatures. But his answer said that the air must be fresh. So can I ask whether there is a legal standard of what is meant by fresh air, and how do we enforce that legal definition?

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VII

Page 62 of 194

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English);— What measures does the Council take to ensure that air-conditioning in theatres and cinemas are switched on so that proper ventilation and the correct temperature are maintained throughout public performances? What are the penalties for non- compliance of the regulations? Is the Council aware of recent complaints in the press regarding a certain cinema, and if yes, what action has been taken?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question relates to the inspection of ventilating systems in theatres and cinemas.

The maximum penalty for failing to keep the ventilating system fully in operation when the theatre or cinema is open to the public is a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months.

The Council is aware of the recent complaint to the newspaper regarding a theatre in the Eastern District. The reader who wrote to the newspaper

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

complained of poor ventilation and inadequate air-conditioning which he soon after a movie started (the date was not specified). On the same experienced

day when the complaint was published (11.7.83) the health staff inspected the theatre and found the ventilating system in proper working order. They found that the ventilating system had been partially out of order for two days (from 7.7.83 to 9.7.83) due to leakage of refrigerant. The consequent rise in temperature then may have led to the complaint. A series of inspections had since been made to this particular theatre. Each time, the ventilating system was found being maintained and operated satisfactorily and there have been no further complaints.

DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, about a decade ago, we received lots of complaints concerning the switching off of ventilation systems during the last show of the day. At that time, inspections were made only in day time. But since the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee took up the matter, inspections have taken place both in the day time and at night. In the past few years, as far as I can remember, we haven't taken any prosecution action. In fact, a cinema with a poor ventilation system will affect its own business. However, in future, if we receive complaints of this kind, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee will take Mr. YOUNG's point into consideration.

MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee as to whose responsibility is to make sure that the design and the construction of the air-conditioning system is capable of delivering a minimum of 13 cubic metres of so called outside air per person per

hour?

DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, of course, this was the standard laid down in the past and I assume that this must be the acceptable standard internationally. I think the air-conditioning company can give a better reply.

1983 — Page 62

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