************************************************************
Members of the public are reminded not to use any quantity of special effects materials (including pyrotechnic materials and liquefied petroleum gas) unless a discharge permit has been obtained from the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA). The Government made the safety appeal today (February 8).
¡§The use, conveyance and storage of such special effects materials for producing special effects are regulated under the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance (Cap. 560),¡¨ a government spokesman said.
Under section 10 of the ordinance, any person who discharges or causes or permits to be discharged any special effects materials without a discharge permit is liable on a first conviction to a maximum fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
The reminder was issued following recent fatal blazes in places outside Hong Kong caused by improper use of pyrotechnic materials.
For commercial sectors that have a genuine need to use such materials to produce special effects, TELA is issuing a letter that will be sent in batches to owners/management of entertainment venues/companies to remind them of the above statutory requirements. They include film production companies; pyrotechnic effects production companies; television companies; event organisers/public relation companies; hotels; theatres/cinemas; conference halls; discos/night clubs and karaoke places.
"Operators of the premises should make every effort to ensure that any special effects activity they plan to conduct and/or allow in their premises has already been approved by TELA by means of a discharge permit,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Members of the public are also reminded that under the provisions of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap.295) and the Crime Ordinance (Cap.200), it is illegal to possess/convey/store any fireworks (such as fire crackers, sparklers, Roman candles, etc.), except authorised operators.
"To ensure safety in their premises, it is important for the operators to remain vigilant at all times to prevent their anyone (unless specifically authorised for an event) from bringing any pyrotechnic materials or fireworks into the premises. Should these be discovered, they should call the Police immediately.
"Not only could such dangerous materials cause fires and bodily injuries but their unlicensed use will be in violation of the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance, Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Crime Ordinance," the spokesman said.
For application criteria and procedures to apply for a discharge permit for producing special effects, please visit TELA¡¦s website (http://www.tela-esela.gov.hk/en/index_g.asp).
Ends/Sunday, February 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:01
NNNN
