ENG-2004 — Page 430

368 Public Order

The Task Force also monitors the performance of registered fire service installation contractors, with 505 random checks carried out. Legal action was taken against 18 contractors who had contravened the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations or the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations.

With the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland scheduled for September 2005, the Theme Park Projects Division, which is responsible for formulating fire safety requirements of the theme park, maintains close liaison and meets regularly with all parties concerned to give advice.

The Railway Development Strategy Division is responsible for formulating and scrutinising fire safety requirements in respect of the new railway infrastructure projects. With the commissioning of KCRC's Tsim Sha Tsui Extension and Ma On Shan Rail in October and December, respectively, acceptance tests were carried out on the new railways' fire service installations.

The Licensing and Certification Command sets fire safety requirements for buildings and various types of licensed premises as well as dangerous goods stores and vehicles to ensure proper protection for the public. Some 11 252 submissions of building plans were processed during the year. Fire Services personnel conducted 163 293 fire safety inspections of all types of premises and issued 5 332 fire hazard abatement notices requiring the removal of fire hazards. These helped to ensure that fire prevention measures met the required standards and enhanced public awareness of fire safety. There were 711 prosecutions in cases of contravention of the Fire Services Ordinance, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance, with fines amounting to $1,331,860. Direct prosecutions for obstructing the means of escape in buildings resulted in 54 convictions, with fines totalling $298,500. Prosecutions for illicit fuel activities resulted in 186 convictions; the maximum penalty was $10,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Appliances and Equipment

In 2004, the department operated 835 fire appliances and supporting vehicles fitted with up-to-date fire-fighting and rescue equipment. Fire appliances procured during the year included three hydraulic platforms, eight major pumps, two diving tenders and two jackless snorkels. A 'cold' cutting system using high pressure water jetting mixed with abrasive slurry was acquired for piercing and cutting in flammable and explosive atmosphere. A high-performance fireboat, the Excellence, will be commissioned in early 2005 to replace Fireboat 6 to enhance the department's maritime fire-fighting and rescue capabilities.

New Stations and Depots

In line with the Government's policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, the department continued to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots at strategic locations to cope with local development and service needs. During the year, the Braemar Hill Fire Station-cum-Ambulance Depot and the Penny's Bay Fire Station-cum-Ambulance Depot were commissioned.