SDEV meets with construction industry on special inspections and regulatory review
The No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has caused multiple casualties and the relevant departments are conducting a comprehensive investigation. The Development Bureau (DEVB), together with the Buildings Department (BD), met with the construction industry today (November 27) to discuss the follow-up actions related to the sector.
Chaired by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the meeting was attended by representatives from the Construction Industry Council, contractors' associations, subcontractors' associations, trade contractors' associations, and labour unions. Ms Linn explained the follow-up inspections by the relevant departments (Notes) and requested the industry to cooperate.
Ms Linn also noted that the BD will review the requirements, guidelines, and regulations concerning scaffolding and protective nets, and will listen to the views of the industry.
Ms Linn further said that although the tragedy is suspected to have been caused by non-compliance from some industry practitioners rather than the use of bamboo scaffolds, bamboo scaffolds are indeed less fire-resistant than metal scaffolds. While the use of bamboo scaffolds has a long history in Hong Kong and offers more flexibility in adapting to certain narrow streets and building environments compared to metal scaffolds, the Government considers it necessary to develop a roadmap to switch to metal scaffolds as soon as possible under suitable worksite conditions. This aims to reassure the public and to provide better safeguards for construction safety. Industry representatives expressed understanding and support, agreeing to formulate an action plan with a clear direction that is not "one-size-fits-all". The next step is to identify work scenarios most suitable for switching to metal scaffolds (for example, new building projects and maintenance works at existing buildings along wider streets), followed by setting an ambitious roadmap for projects fitting those scenarios to switch to metal scaffolds. In formulating the roadmap, three factors should be taken into account, namely, the capacity of bamboo scaffolders and specialist contractors during the transition; the need for a stable source and sufficient supply of metal scaffolds to ensure adequacy; and the arrangements for transportation and storage of metal scaffolds.
Ms Linn said that the Government will consider providing assistance to the industry in terms of training and other resources during the process. The DEVB will put forward a proposal as soon as possible, based on the aforementioned consensus, for further discussion with the industry.
Notes:
- The BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau (HB) today launched a special operation, issuing circular letters to registered building professionals and contractors. They are required to review the records or test documents for materials, such as scaffolds protective nets, used in ongoing projects, regardless of whether the buildings are under construction or are existing ones under maintenance. The review should include an assessment of the condition of the materials and their compliance with the standards and requirements for fire retardant performance. A report must be submitted to the BD within seven days, after which the BD will conduct audit checks. Meanwhile, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has required contractors of building projects under public works contracts to review and submit the above-mentioned information within seven days. The ArchSD will also conduct audit checks.
- The BD and the ICU of the HB, with the latter responsible for Home Ownership Scheme courts, today launched a special operation targeting existing buildings undergoing major external wall maintenance, where scaffolds protective nets were erected. Inspections will be conducted in batches for all such projects to proactively check records or relevant test documents for materials such as scaffolding protective nets regarding their fire retardant performance. Samples will also be collected for testing.
