Government Launches One-Month Consultation on Fire Services Ordinance Amendments to Enhance Public Safety and Accountability.

Government launches public consultation on proposed amendments to Fire Services Ordinance (Cap. 95)

The Government today (May 26) launched a one-month public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance (FSO) (Cap. 95) and its related subsidiary legislation. The amendments aim to ensure that the existing fire safety-related legislative framework keeps pace with the times, enhancing public safety, regulatory coherence, enforcement effectiveness and accountability, while responding to public expectations for enhanced fire safety.

Following the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government established the Task Force on Strengthening Fire Safety Governance chaired by the Secretary for Security, and immediately implemented targeted measures and put in place medium-to-long-term initiatives to comprehensively enhance fire safety governance efficacy. One of the important measures is a comprehensive review of the FSO and its subsidiary legislation, including the fire safety-related statutory regulatory regimes and the responsibilities of various stakeholders, with a view to proposing amendments.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The Government attaches great importance to fire safety standards and the protection of the lives and property of citizens. To further consolidate Hong Kong's fire safety regulatory regime, we consider it necessary to amend the FSO and three pieces of related subsidiary legislation under the Ordinance, namely the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations (Cap. 95A), the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations (Cap. 95B), and the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation (Cap. 95F). These amendments will comprehensively strengthen the regulation of the registration regime for Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (RFSICs), the maintenance and inspection of building fire service installations (FSI) and equipment, and the abatement of fire hazards. We will also take this opportunity to appropriately enhance the enforcement powers of the Fire Services Department (FSD) in specific areas and combat illicit fuelling activities, among others."

The spokesman added that, in view of the public's pressing aspiration for enhanced fire safety, the Government will finalise the legislative proposal as soon as possible upon completion of the public consultation, and will strive to introduce the Bill for the Legislative Council's consideration within 2026.

The proposed legislative amendments cover six pillars:

Strengthening the regulatory regime for FSIs;

Introducing the FSI responsible persons regime;

Reforming the RFSIC registration and disciplinary regime;

Enhancing penalties and criminal accountability;

Introducing a fixed penalty regime and streamlined abatement of fire hazards workflow; and

Expanding the FSD's enforcement powers and combating illicit fuelling.

For details, please refer to the consultation document available on the websites of the Security Bureau (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/pub/consultation/pafso.html) and the Fire Services Department (www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/fire_protection/pc_cap95/). Members of the public may submit views in writing by email (fsab_consultation@hkfsd.gov.hk) or by mail to the Legislation Amendment Working Group, South Wing, 5/F, Fire Services Department Headquarters Building, 1 Hong Chong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, on or before June 25.

Source: AI-found images

EMSD releases latest lift maintenance cost information of private residential and commercial premises

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (May 26) released the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises for public reference in choosing registered lift contractors.

The EMSD had earlier engaged an independent consultant to conduct a sampling survey on the maintenance costs of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong. The consultant analysed the data collected from 12 139 lifts at 3 101 locations, and calculated the average monthly maintenance costs of the lifts as follows:

Private residential buildings

Lift travel level

Rated speed of lift

Average monthly lift maintenance cost

Changes as compared with last survey (Note)

1 to 15

≤ 1.0m/s

$6,404

+7.7%

> 1.0m/s

$7,642

+3.8%

16 to 25

≤ 1.5m/s

$6,270

+1.8%

> 1.5m/s

$8,268

+2.0%

26 to 35

≤ 1.75m/s

$7,224

+2.2%

> 1.75m/s

$10,628

+4.6%

More than 35

≤ 2.5m/s

$10,806

+3.3%

> 2.5m/s

$11,847

+2.3%

Private commercial buildings

Lift travel level

Rated speed of lift

Average monthly lift maintenance cost

Changes as compared with last survey (Note)

1 to 15

≤ 1.5m/s

$8,415

+5.2%

> 1.5m/s

$10,761

+3.0%

16 to 25

≤ 2.0m/s

$9,923

+2.9%

> 2.0m/s

$14,328

+6.1%

26 to 35

≤ 3.0m/s

$12,890

+3.6%

> 3.0m/s

$18,277

+4.7%

More than 35

≤ 3.5m/s

$23,864

+2.5%

> 3.5m/s

$28,019

+0.0%

The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons' Corner on the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD will update it on a half-yearly basis.

In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons for lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons' Corner in addition to the price factor. The materials include:

* performance ratings of registered contractors;

* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;

* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;

* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;

* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;

* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;

* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and

* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note: The above price figures were updated on March 31, 2026, whereas the previous price figures were updated on September 30, 2025.

Source: AI-found images