***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) will provide metal gatesets to all public rental housing (PRH) flats completed in 2009 and afterwards.
"At a meeting of the Building Committee of the Housing Authority, it was decided that metal gatesets for flat entrance would be included as a standard provision in new PRH flats," the Chairman of the Building Committee, Mr Stephen Yip, said today (March 20).
Mr Yip said that flat entrance metal gates had not been provided in PRH flats since 2003 when a functional and cost-effective design approach to PRH estates was approved by the Building Committee.
"Flat entrance metal gates are not prescriptive statutory requirements under the Buildings Ordinance and they are not designed as the main line of security. Moreover, with the comprehensive security system currently available in all PRH estates, including security gates with digital lock, 24-hour security guard, CCTVs and door-phone systems, the metal gates do not provide extra security," he said.
"However, the Housing Authority is aware of the residents' lingering concern over security, as indicated by the fact that large number of tenants have indicated that they would install metal gatesets at their own cost, primarily to enhance home security despite the high security standard adopted by the Housing Authority.
"We understand that tenants in general consider that provision of gatesets is desirable for the dense living environment in PRH estates. As a caring landlord, we attach much importance to this aspiration of our tenants. After taking into consideration the financial implication and other factors, the authority has decided to include metal gatesets as a standard provision of new PRH estates built in 2009 and afterwards. However, we also wish to stress that tenants should keep their flat entrance doors closed at all times for statutory requirements on fire control. Tenants are also reminded not to remove landlord's fixtures including gatesets," Mr Yip said.
Ends/Friday, March 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:37
NNNN