ENG-1982 — Page 214

154

PUBLIC ORDER

all areas within minimum set times and according to the category of risk, four new fire stations were commissioned during the year. These were Mai Po Fire Station in the New Territories, Wong Tai Sin Divisional Fire Station, Chai Wan Sub-Divisional Fire Station and Discovery Bay Fire Station on Lantau Island. There are now 44 fire stations, 13 ambulance depots and five fireboat stations in the territory. Others have been included in the various categories of the Public Works Programme and in private developers' projects for construction over the next few years.

At the end of the year, more than 1 750 staff quarters were occupied or available for occupation. Planning is underway for more than 2 000 additional married quarters for firemen and ambulancemen on five selected sites.

Fire Prevention

The department is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations. It also advises and assists all sections of the community with regard to fire protection measures generally and in the abatement and elimination of fire hazards.

Publicity campaigns were launched during the year to increase the community's awareness of fire safety. These resulted in requests for more fire prevention lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations from kaifong associations, rural committees, schools and community groups. The Fire Protection Bureau played an important role in educating the public on fire prevention. The increasing number of complaints (6 891) received from members of the public was seen as an indication of the level of public concern over potential fire hazards and a growing realisation of the services provided by the department.

Fire Services personnel made 140 879 inspections of all types of premises and, where fire hazards were found, abatement notices were issued. In 1982, there were 2 028 prosecutions for non-compliance with abatement notices resulting in fines amounting to $1.04 million.

All new building plans are vetted by the department, which specifies the requirements for built-in fire protection and advises on other related matters. More than 8 272 new building plans were processed during the year. The department is also responsible for carrying out research into matters associated with fire safety.

As from August 1, 1982, it became a requirement for a Fire Services Certificate to be obtained prior to the issue of a food business premises licence; a fee of $50 is charged for each certificate.

Legislation

1 1

The Fire Services (Amendment) Bill 1982 was introduced and enacted during the year. The bill has increased substantially the fines for offences relating to unabated fire hazards such as storage of goods in common areas and emergency exits, especially in industrial buildings. The fine for non-compliance with a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice was raised from $2,000 to $25,000 and the daily fine of $40 increased to $2,500. For non-compliance with a Fire Hazard Order issued by a Magistrate's Court the fine was increased from $4,000 to $50,000 and the daily fine from $1,000 to $5,000. It is hoped the increased fines and penalties will help to ensure that the lives and property of those involved in industry, in particular, are safeguarded.

The bill also raised from $500 to $5,000 the fine for owners of buildings failing to provide or maintain the means of escape as required under the Fire Services Ordinance. Fines relating to any person who resists or obstructs any Fire Services personnel executing his duty were also increased from $1,000 to $2,000.