FSD responds to media enquiries on white foam found at Siu Chik Sha, Tseung Kwan O
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The FSD received a report last night regarding the discovery of white foam in a water pond at Siu Chik Sha in Tseung Kwan O. It was noted that the FSD conducted a test of "biodegradable fluorine-free firefighting foam" yesterday at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy (FASA) close to the location concerned. It is suspected that some of the firefighting foam did not divert into the pipes of the foam treatment system during the test and inadvertently went into the stormwater drainage system.
The FSD attaches great importance to the incident, and had immediately cleaned the stormwater drainage system of the FASA and taken samples at the scene for further testing by the Government Laboratory. An inspection of the foam treatment system by the contractor has been arranged. A contractor has also completed the cleaning work at nearby channels late afternoon today. The FSD will closely monitor the situation of the nearby channels these few days and take appropriate follow-up actions if any more foam is found. In addition, the FASA has suspended all drills involving firefighting foam until the cleaning work and inspection of the foam treatment system are completed. The FSD will continue to co-operate with relevant departments for follow-up.
The foam concentrate used in the test is a fluorine-free firefighting foam that is biodegradable and does not remain in the environment as a persistent organic pollutant.
The FASA is equipped with a foam treatment plant with collection and storage tanks for decomposing foam liquid. The storage tanks can hold foam liquids up to a volume of 250 cubic metres in total, while the foam liquid produced from the firefighting foam test yesterday had a volume of 52 cubic metres. The system is regularly inspected and maintained by a contractor.
Ends/Thursday, April 18, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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