What measures have been taken to improve fire safety in the old commercial premises?
Joint inspections with the Fire Services Department were made on 191 prescribed commercial premises (banks, betting centers, jewellery shops, shopping arcades, supermarkets) under the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance. As a result, 120 Fire Safety Directions were served on these premise to remedy infractions. The second phase of the action program, targeted at the inspection of specified commercial buildings built between 1973 and 1987, has commenced. A total of 2,730 Fire Safety Improvement Directions were issued against 141 buildings requiring upgrading of fire safety standards and facilities.
The Fire Safety (Buildings) Bill was passed by the Legislative Council in July, and requires the upgrading of essential fire safety provisions in composite and domestic buildings. The upgrading program will be carried out in phases after the new ordinance comes into effect. The initial phase requires owners of 9,000 composite buildings designed for both domestic and commercial uses and built before 1987 to upgrade fire service installations and fire safety construction. Subsequent phases will cover more than 3,000 domestic buildings in which the fire risk involved is lower.
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