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Connor Mycroft

Hong Kong authorities are planning to launch a public consultation over a raft of new fire safety-related requirements and offences with tough penalties following the city’s deadliest blaze in decades.
Confirming an earlier report by the South China Morning Post, the Security Bureau on Friday laid out its planned amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance, including a requirement that fire alarms be checked every six months.
The bureau said its public consultation would follow its meeting with the Legislative Council’s security panel, scheduled for May 5.
“Our goal is to submit the bill to the Legislative Council for consideration by the end of 2026, with the aim of implementing various reform measures as soon as possible,” it said.
The bureau said that one of the key revisions it was proposing was elevating appropriate administrative measures to legal requirements, such as conducting alarm bell tests at least every six months.
Other proposed changes previously reported by SCMP include sharply increasing the maximum penalty for existing offences related to unauthorised handling of fire equipment and the issuance of false or misleading certificates, up from a HK$50,000 (US$6,380) fine to a maximum fine of HK$3 million and three years’ imprisonment.

The amendments would also require prior approval be obtained before firefighting systems were deactivated, such as hosepipe reels and alarms.
Under existing regulations, contractors are only required to submit a shutdown notice to authorities after deactivating such systems.
Contractors would also be in breach of regulations if they failed to notify the Fire Services Department of any malfunctioning firefighting systems within 24 hours, display annual fire inspection certificates or implement temporary fire safety measures.
Another new offence will target anyone who deliberately or recklessly misuses or interferes with fire equipment, with offenders facing a fine of HK$1 million and a one-year jail term.
But for serious cases resulting in severe casualties and property losses, the offence will carry a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$3 million.
Hearings by a judge-led independent inquiry into last November’s deadly blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court exposed a series of failures and alleged malpractice by various parties, which led to the deactivation of fire alarms during a renovation project.


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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Changes to fire services law with tougher penalties set for public consultation

Wang Fuk Court is engulfed in flames on November 26 last year. Photo: Karma Lo

Flowers are seen in front of Wang Fuk Court. Another new offence will target anyone who deliberately or recklessly misuses or interferes with fire equipment. Photo: Dickson Lee

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

The proposed measures aim to combat malpractice in light of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Sun Yeung

Lawmaker Mark Chong has said he expects the legal changes to better deter malpractice. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Departments must communicate better, fire chief tells Tai Po blaze hearing

Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung leaves the hearing at City Gallery. Photo: Sun Yeung

The fire resulted in 168 deaths last November. Photo: Karma Lo

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month


Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month.


Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

Hong Kong fires and safety

China

Changes to fire services law with tougher penalties set for public consultation

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month

Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month