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Following is a question by the Hon Paul Tse and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (May 13):
Question:
On the 26th of last month, an explosion and fire occurred in a vehicle repair workshop located on the ground floor of a residential building in Tsz Wan Shan, resulting in a number of casualties. Afterwards, many people residing on the floors above the workshop and in the vicinity called me to enquire about the regulation of vehicle repair workshops (especially those alleged to have engaged in illegal repair of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles) and the safety of their premises. Besides, some taxi drivers pointed out at a radio interview that even though they knew that certain vehicle repair workshops were not workshops approved for repairing the fuel system of LPG vehicles (approved workshops), they still must patronise them as instructed by vehicle owners in order to keep their means of living. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of vehicle repair workshops in Wong Tai Sin District, and among them, the number of workshops located on the ground floor of residential buildings;
(2) among the 29 approved workshops in Hong Kong, of the number of those located in Wong Tai Sin District;
(3) whether the authorities have immediately inspected the workshops in Wong Tai Sin District after the occurrence of the aforesaid incident to check if they have contravened the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap 572) and the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap 51); if so, of the details, including whether cases of repair of LPG vehicles without approval have been found; if not, whether they can conduct inspections immediately; and
(4) what policies and measures are in place to impose regulation on taxi, minibus companies and vehicle owners who, for the purpose of saving repair costs, have the fuel systems of their vehicles repaired by workshops which they know are not approved workshops?
Reply:
President,
The Government would like to explain the regime of the Gas Safety Ordinance as it is applicable to the control of storage and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The Gas Safety Ordinance regulates gas safety matters, with a view to ensuring the safety of importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of town gas, LPG and natural gas. In respect of LPG storage and installation, any containers with the aggregated nominal water capacity of more than 130 litres of LPG are "notifiable gas installations". The construction and use of "notifiable gas installations" requires the approval of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). At present, there are 571 approved LPG "notifiable gas installations" including 29 vehicle maintenance workshops that have been approved for storing LPG fuel tanks of more than 130 litres. In considering whether approval should be granted to vehicle maintenance workshops for storing LPG fuel tanks of more than 130 litres, the EMSD will consider if the vehicle maintenance workshops comply with the safety requirements in respect of the design, construction and location, including good ventilation, restricted from locations for occupation, and the installation of gas detection system, mechanical ventilation systems and fire prevention systems, etc.
For the purpose of enforcing the Gas Safety Ordinance, the Gas Safety Inspectors of the EMSD conducted in each of the past three years over 1 300 inspections to the approved LPG "notifiable gas installations". These inspections included inspections at least once a year of the 29 vehicle maintenance workshops that have been approved for storing LPG fuel tanks of more than 130 litres, as well as random surprise inspections.
For maintenance and repair of LPG vehicles not involving LPG fuel systems, the work may be carried out in general vehicle maintenance workshops. As for any work on or in relation to a gas pipe, including work on the fuel tank or other associated components, the Gas Safety Ordinance stipulates that such work should be carried out by a competent person or under the supervision of a person who is competent. Any replacement of LPG fuel tanks or any maintenance, repair or replacement work for other associated components are required to be carried out by a Competent Person (Class 6) or a person under the supervision of a Competent Person (Class 6). Competent Persons (Class 6) approved by the EMSD are required to complete the LPG Vehicle Servicing Programme provided by the Vocational Training Council and possess practical experience. At present, there are over 1 100 Competent Persons (Class 6) in Hong Kong, and they may replace LPG fuel tanks or carry out any maintenance, repair or replacement work for other associated components in any vehicle maintenance workshops.
(1) According to the EMSD's record, there are 67 vehicle maintenance workshops located in Wong Tai Sin District, among which 49 are located on the ground floor of residential buildings.
(2) and (3) There are 29 vehicle maintenance workshops that have been approved by the EMSD for storing LPG fuel tanks of more than 130 litres. None of them is located in the Wong Tai Sin District.
Since the explosion and fire incident in late April this year, the EMSD has conducted 350 additional inspections to vehicle maintenance workshops (including all vehicle maintenance workshops in Wong Tai Sin District) to ensure that the vehicle maintenance workshops have not contravened the requirements under the Gas Safety Ordinance. This involved ensuring that the vehicle maintenance shops have not stored more than 130 litres of LPG without approval, and that replacement of the fuel tank or other associated components is carried out by a Competent Person (Class 6) or under the supervision of a person who is a Competent Person (Class 6). During the inspections, the EMSD identified two cases involving vehicle maintenance workshops with over-storage of LPG and investigation is in progress. The EMSD is also planning to inspect all 2 700 vehicle maintenance workshops in Hong Kong in the next few weeks.
In addition, following the explosion and fire incident on April 26, the Fire Services Department (FSD) has immediately conducted inspections of all vehicle maintenance workshops in the Wong Tai Sin District. The FSD commenced a territory-wide inspection on April 29, and expects to complete the territory-wide inspection of about 2 700 vehicle maintenance workshops in Hong Kong by the end of July.
As at May 7, the FSD has inspected 558 vehicle maintenance workshops. During the inspections, four cases of suspected over-storage of dangerous goods in breach of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap 295) have been identified. The FSD has taken enforcement action against the relevant responsible persons. If other suspected irregularities are identified during inspections, the FSD will make referrals to the relevant departments for follow-up.
(4) For maintenance and repair of LPG vehicles not involving LPG fuel systems, the work may be carried out in general vehicle maintenance workshops. As for the replacement of LPG fuel tank or any maintenance, repair or replacement work for other associated components, the Gas Safety Ordinance requires that such work be carried out by a Competent Person (Class 6) who has completed the LPG Vehicle Servicing Programme provided by the Vocational Training Council and possess practical experience, or by a person under the supervision of a person who is a Competent Person (Class 6). At present, there are more than 1 100 Competent Persons (Class 6) in Hong Kong, and they may replace LPG fuel tanks or carry out any maintenance, repair or replacement work for other associated components in any vehicle maintenance workshops.
The Transport Department has all along reminded the taxi trade that any repair work of LPG fuel system should be carried out under the supervision of a competent person approved by the EMSD.
Ends/Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:19
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