Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Lam and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (January 28):

Question:

     In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive emphasised technological reform and facilitating the application and development of technology, including artificial intelligence, across various sectors. Regarding leveraging technology to enhance fire safety, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that during the debate on "Motion on support and rebuilding work after the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po" in this Council on the 14th of this month, the Government indicated that it would expedite the promotion of an Internet of Things fire detection system to improve firefighting and rescue efficiency, of the specific timetable for the relevant work; whether the Government will study the application of additional advanced technologies to enhance the fire safety standards of residential buildings and home environments; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(2) whether, apart from the Smart Site Safety System implemented by the Development Bureau, the Government will study the introduction of other innovative technologies at construction sites to enhance fire safety at those sites, including the use of technology to ensure that construction procedures and building materials used comply with relevant fire safety requirements and standards; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to enhancing fire safety standards and fire safety governance through the effective use of technology. We continue to introduce appropriate technological solutions in various aspects including fire service equipment, preventive monitoring, inspection and enforcement, firefighting and rescue, publicity and education, as well as personnel training, with a view to further protecting lives and property of the public.

     In consultation with the Development Bureau (DEVB), my reply to the question raised by the Member is as follows:

(1) The Fire Services Department (FSD) continues to promote the application of appropriate technologies to enhance home fire safety in the following three specific aspects:

     Firstly, the FSD introduced the Pilot Scheme on the “Internet of Things Fire Detection System” (IoT FDS) at the end of last year with the objective of enhancing the fire safety standards in old buildings. At present, the IoT FDS are being installed in ten old buildings of six storeys or less across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. This allows the buildings concerned to be exempted from the installation of fire service equipment such as fire hose reels, fire water tanks and water pumps, further assisting owners of the target buildings to comply with Fire Safety Directions in a more convenient and safe manner.

     Compared to traditional manual fire alarm systems, the IoT FDS offers real-time monitoring and rapid transmission of fire alarm signals, with wireless signals connecting the entire system. Upon detection of a fire, the system will instantly alert the Fire Services Communications Centre through wireless signals for prompt dispatch of fire appliances to handle the incident at the incipient stage of a fire, even in circumstances where no report has yet been made by the public.

     Moreover, the IoT FDS incorporates a system status monitoring function. If an individual detector malfunctions, the system will instantly transmit a signal to notify the FSD and the service provider to initiate follow-up actions. The IoT FDS also collects and analyses fire-related data to support the department's application of big data analytics in assessing relevant risk factors, so as to formulate corresponding fire safety strategies, such as the scale of deployment during a fire.

     The FSD is conducting ongoing evaluations of the effectiveness of the Pilot Scheme. The first phase of assessment is expected for completion in the second quarter of 2026. Subject to satisfactory results, consideration will be given to extending the IoT FDS to all relevant buildings.

     Secondly, to promote the effective use of technology within the industry. For instance, the FSD encourages property management companies to adopt digitalised fire service equipment maintenance record management systems, encompassing functions such as electronic inspection records, expiry reminders, and deficiency follow-up procedures, that are conducive to enhancing overall fire safety. The FSD has also set up an online submission system to facilitate electronic submission of certificates of fire service installations and equipment (FSIs) by registered fire service installation contractors. This system not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides important data for the FSD to monitor the operational and maintenance status of FSIs. Furthermore, it enables the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for research, analysis and risk assessment, thereby facilitating the FSD's formulation and implementation of risk-based fire prevention inspection and enforcement action strategies.

     Thirdly, we actively encourage members of the public to use stand-alone fire detectors and other portable firefighting equipment in domestic premises to enhance fire warning and self-rescue capabilities at the incipient stage of a fire, with a view to improving home fire safety. Stand-alone fire detectors can detect smoke that occurs at the incipient stage of a fire, subsequently giving warning to occupants within premises, enabling them to have more time for evacuation. In recent years, the market has seen the introduction of smart stand-alone fire detectors with interconnectivity functions. These detectors can integrate with home surveillance cameras and smartphone applications. When the detector emits a fire alarm signal, users will not only receive instant alert notification but can also view live footage of the home's actual conditions via remote monitoring, thus enabling swift decision and the most appropriate responses, e.g. to direct their family members to evacuate or report to the police for assistance, so as to reduce disaster losses and risks in a timely manner. The FSD will continue to promote smart fire service equipment to the public through short videos on social media and community seminars.

(2) The Government has been closely working with different stakeholders to explore, deliberate and formulate various site safety measures, including the adoption of technologies to uplift site safety.

     The DEVB and the Construction Industry Council are actively working with the construction industry to explore the application of suitable technologies, including different types of cameras and sensors such as cameras with AI capability, thermal imaging cameras, and Internet of Things (IoT) thermal sensors. The DEVB hopes to rely on AI algorithms and infrared thermal imaging technology to detect abnormal scenarios on stacking of materials on construction sites, and to continuously monitor high-temperature or high-risk areas (including dangerous goods stores and areas storing flammable materials), work involving flammable materials and hot work (such as welding) with necessary alerts to be issued immediately. The DEVB will also explore the use of different monitoring devices to record the inspection process in real time, with a view to ensuring that fire safety requirements at workplaces are met.

     The Buildings Department issued a practice note last month stipulating the sampling and testing requirements for scaffolding nets used on the scaffolds at external walls. The practice note requires that, where sampling is conducted off-site, the contractor should adopt a reliable digital system (such as quick response (QR) codes, near field communication (NFC) devices and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies) to facilitate checking and tracking material batches. The scaffolding nets recently procured collectively by the Construction Industry Council for the industry are all embedded with RFID chips and QR codes with a digital tracking platform capable of recording and tracing every stage from production to delivery of scaffolding nets, thereby setting a good example for the industry. The DEVB will make reference to this experience and further review the application of the technologies to other construction materials for meeting fire resistance requirements, thereby optimising their storage and management.

     President, the Government will continue to keep pace with the times and actively explore ways to optimise and enhance emergency response capabilities through the effective use of technology across various domains, with a view to strengthening the protection of public safety. Thank you, President.

Ends/Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 13:04

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