Fire and buildings departments find 261 violations in industrial building inspections

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department and Buildings Department uncovered 261 fire safety and building-related irregularities during a joint enforcement operation targeting industrial buildings late last year, authorities said.

The two departments carried out inspections from December 29 to 31, 2025, covering nine industrial buildings across various districts in Kowloon and the New Territories.

Fire officers identified numerous hazards, including blocked or locked escape routes, defective or wedged-open smoke stop doors, and fire service installations that were damaged or not in proper working order. Enforcement action was taken immediately against the responsible parties.

Among the cases involving blocked means of escape, the Fire Services Department initiated three prosecutions and issued 22 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices, requiring those concerned to remove the hazards within a specified period. The department warned that failure to comply with the notices could lead to further prosecution.

During the inspections, fire officers also found defective smoke stop doors and malfunctioning fire service equipment in several buildings. Additional Fire Hazard Abatement Notices will be issued, and follow-up action will be taken.

Separately, the Buildings Department identified 13 subdivided units suspected of being used illegally for domestic purposes. The department has launched further investigations and sent letters to the relevant owners and occupiers, asking them to arrange inspections of their flats as soon as possible. If no response is received, the department may apply to the court for a warrant to enter the premises.

If the units are confirmed to be used for illegal residential purposes, enforcement action will be taken under the Buildings Ordinance, including ordering the cessation of such use and rectification of dangerous conditions.

The Buildings Department also found that the exit staircases in one of the inspected industrial buildings were in a dilapidated condition, although no obvious danger to the overall building structure was identified. A repair order has been issued to the owners’ corporation to carry out the necessary remedial works.