Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki on Wednesday introduced a government motion to the new Legislative Council, setting out a package of targeted reforms to strengthen building safety and fire prevention in response to the Tai Po fire.
Among the proposals is a new requirement for buildings undergoing major renovation works with scaffolding to maintain a specified safety distance from neighboring structures, aimed at reducing fire risks in densely populated urban areas.
The government also plans to introduce a scheduling system under the Buildings Department to better manage overlapping works in high-density districts.
Chan said amendments will also be made to scaffolding guidelines to specify material requirements for toe boards on working platforms, further lowering fire hazards.
To improve construction site safety, the government intends to revise the Construction Site (Safety) Regulations to impose clearer legal responsibilities on main contractors, subcontractors, and workers.
A total ban on smoking at construction sites has also been proposed, with amendments expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council within weeks.
The government’s task force on strengthening fire safety governance has outlined additional reform directions, including expanding the regulatory powers of the Fire Services Department.
Under the proposals, the shutdown of critical fire safety equipment would require prior approval from the department to prevent regulatory gaps.
The task force has also recommended introducing statutory duties for property management companies to maintain fire safety, an area currently not clearly covered by laws that focus mainly on owners and registered contractors.
Other measures include fixed penalties for fire safety offenses such as blocked escape routes, expired certificates, and failure to implement temporary safety measures when fire installations are out of service.
Penalties for registered contractors who issue false or misleading fire safety certificates would also be increased substantially, with higher fines and possible jail terms.
Chan also called on the Fire Services Department to make greater use of technology to improve firefighting, rescue, and monitoring, including a review of personal devices and other equipment.
To strengthen oversight of building maintenance, he said the government will amend the Buildings Ordinance to tighten regulatory controls and disciplinary mechanisms for registered professionals and minor works contractors.
