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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman of the Security Bureau said today (August 11) that the Fire Services Department (FSD) was working closely with other relevant Government departments to consider inspecting the fire service installations of all karaoke establishments in old composite buildings within a month.
"Appropriate action will be taken against operators who contravene the relevant regulations," he said
Referring to the alarm No.5 fire at Cornwall Court on Nathan Road in Mong Kok yesterday, the spokesman said, "The building was constructed in 1962 and is due to be inspected within the first phase of implementation under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance, which commenced operation on July 1 last year."
He said, "The original plan of FSD was to deal with these composite buildings first within ten years, but in order to improve the fire service installations of around 9 000 composite buildings built in or before 1987 in the territories as soon as possible, FSD is exploring ways to speed up the inspection of these buildings."
The spokesman added that the successful implementation of the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance depended not only on the efforts of FSD and other government departments, but more importantly the public's co-operation and support.
He said, "FSD will continue to step up publicity on fire prevention, and encourage the public to raise their awareness and develop good habits on fire safety."
Ends/Monday, August 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:57
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