Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Johnny Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (January 28):
Question:
The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po resulted in serious casualties, prompting public concern over whether existing fire service facilities and firefighting equipment are adequate to tackle fires in high-rise buildings. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has assessed the adequacy of existing firefighting equipment of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) for tackling No. 5 alarm fires and fires in high-rise buildings, and of the respective types and quantities of such equipment;
(2) 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 was conducting a comprehensive review of the provision of personal equipment of fire personnel and other fire service equipment, with a view to enhancing rescue efficiency through new technologies, of the specific measures and timetable of the work concerned; whether the authorities will consider increasing funding for the FSD’s acquisition of more technological equipment to respond to large-scale fires and other disasters; and
(3) given the view that, as FSD’s Aerial Ladder Platforms and Turntable Ladders struggle to reach higher floors, the tackling of fires in high-rise buildings should primarily rely on internal fire service equipment, supplemented by external disaster relief, and that internal firefighting equipment and evacuation facilities (including fire alarm systems, automatic firefighting equipment, manual firefighting equipment, planning of fire and smoke compartmentation and escape and refuge facilities) become even more crucial, how the authorities will enhance the specifications and requirements for fire prevention and disaster prevention equipment in high-rise buildings, and strengthen inspections and prosecutions?
Reply:
President,
The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has left us with painful lessons. The Government immediately established the Task Force on Strengthening Fire Safety Governance (Task Force) in the wake of the fire, with the aim of preventing any recurrence of similar tragic events. The Task Force has implemented targeted immediate measures and formulated medium to long-term initiatives, including a comprehensive review of the deployment of the fire service equipment, and the effective use of technology to enhance fire safety. Meanwhile, the Fire Services Department (FSD) has set up a steering committee to conduct comprehensive review of major fire incidents, encompassing aspects such as the command regime, firefighting and rescue strategies, personnel gears, appliances and tools, applications of technology, and fire service installations and equipment in buildings, etc, with a view to continuously enhancing response mechanisms at both operational and systemic levels.
(1) The FSD currently has about 700 operational fire appliances, including Hydraulic Platforms, Major Pumps, Light Rescue Units and Turntable Ladders, as well as other supporting vehicles, over 500 ambulances and 32 fire vessels, distributed among 86 fire stations, 45 ambulance depots, 4 fireboat stations, 2 fireboat bases, 2 sea rescue berths and 2 diving bases. Every type of fire appliance is fitted with different types of firefighting and rescue tools and equipment to respond to various building fires and special service incidents. The FSD also has four specialised teams provided with special appliances and equipment that can be dispatched to the scene to provide support based on different situations. The four specialised teams are Compartment Fire Behaviour Specialist Team, HazMat Team, Disaster Response and Rescue Team and High Angle Rescue Team.
In general, the FSD dispatches fire appliances, personnel and various types of equipment to attend fire incidents in accordance with the pre-determined attendance (PDA) of a fire incident. For example, the FSD will deploy 26 fire appliances and ambulances under the PDA for a No. 5 alarm fire. In the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, following an assessment of the situation at the fire scene, 221 firefighting vehicles were dispatched, equivalent to nine times the PDA for a No. 5 alarm fire. This demonstrated that there were sufficient personnel and equipment on site to handle the incident.
Regarding personal equipment for fire personnel, the FSD introduced a new breathing apparatus in January this year. These new units are equipped with communication assistive devices that provide a short-range communication system and in-mask audio reception, improving communication clarity at fire scenes and strengthening team co-ordination. The new breathing apparatus also feature quick-release connectors, enabling faster replacement of compressed air cylinders and improving operational efficiency. In addition, they are equipped with a built-in air-sharing system, allowing team members to rapidly supply air to colleagues in need on the fire grounds without requiring additional tools, thus strengthening rescue capability.
Meanwhile, the FSD is studying the introduction of an electronic entry control board system to assist Entry Control Officers in managing the records of breathing apparatus teams entering and exiting the fire grounds more effectively. The system will digitise records and enhance data accuracy. Furthermore, the electronic control board will display real-time operational data of the breathing apparatus, enabling Entry Control Officers to monitor team status at all times, thereby further safeguarding frontline personnel and enhancing overall operational efficiency. The relevant operational data will be stored for use in post-incident analysis.
In terms of drone applications in fire incidents, the FSD’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Team currently deploys drones equipped with live-streaming and thermal imaging capabilities to analyse the fire scene situation. These drones are supplemented by artificial intelligence to identify individuals awaiting rescue. In addition, drones are used to provide high-altitude illumination during night time. This plays an important supporting role in frontline firefighting operations. Taking the fire at Wang Fuk Court as an example, the FSD deployed its own reconnaissance drones, supplemented by those borrowed from Guangdong Province, to gain real-time insights into the fire scene for analysis. Simultaneously, these drones provided additional high-altitude illumination during night time to assist firefighting operations.
Moreover, the FSD is actively exploring the relevant technologies and applications of firefighting drones. At present, both in Hong Kong and on the Mainland, firefighting drones remain in the experimental stage and have not yet developed to a point where they can be applied in actual fire scenes. The FSD is maintaining close contact with the Mainland fire services departments and drone manufacturers, and is actively conducting relevant field tests with drone manufacturers in Hong Kong. It is hoped that once the technology has matured and been proven safe and feasible, Hong Kong will be among the first to deploy drones for firefighting operations.
Moreover, the FSD actively introduces and utilises various smart firefighting equipment to enhance effectiveness in firefighting and rescue operations. Currently, the FSD has introduced a new lightweight firefighting robot, which is undergoing functional testing. This robot can access high-risk areas inaccessible to fire services personnel to carry out operations, with both its size and weight significantly reduced compared to existing models. It can be deployed flexibly in diverse environments, such as confined spaces, to effectively carry out firefighting operations.
In parallel, the Fire Services Department is trialing a new model of mini thermal imaging camera. This device enhances firefighters’ visibility within smoke-filled fire scenes, aiding in the clear identification of fire sources, trapped individuals and environmental hazards. Compared to previous equipment, its design is more lightweight and portable, significantly reducing operational strain on firefighters. This enables them to maintain greater mobility and endurance within fire scenes, thereby further enhancing operational efficiency and personnel safety.
The FSD will continue to actively monitor the latest trends in various advanced firefighting equipment, introducing relevant equipment that is technically mature, safe and feasible where appropriate, so as to enhance firefighting and rescue effectiveness. The FSD has set aside financial resources for this purpose and will seek funding from the Legislative Council in accordance with established procedures if necessary.
(3) In general, the FSD formulates requirements for fire service installations and equipment in buildings based on their intended use and height. Certain high-rise buildings (including hotels, high-rise commercial buildings, high-rise industrial/godown buildings, and high-rise hospitals and sanatoria) may be required to install a staircase pressurisation system depending on their design and intended use, to prevent the discharge of smoke into the staircase to ensure that residents have a safe means of escape. On the other hand, residential flats with open kitchen design must be equipped with sprinkler systems as automatic firefighting equipment. Where domestic buildings are inaccessible to fire service vehicles, sprinkler systems must also be installed to enhance their fire safety standards. The requirement for sprinkler systems also applies to most high-rise non-domestic buildings.
Furthermore, the Buildings Department stipulates that every building must be provided with sufficient means of access for firefighting and rescue. These include an adequate number of access staircases, fireman’s lifts and firefighting and rescue stairways capable of withstanding fire and smoke for a specified duration, enabling fire services personnel to access all floors of the building in the event of a fire.
Currently, Hong Kong’s specifications and requirements for fire prevention and disaster prevention equipment in high-rise buildings are on par with those of the Chinese Mainland or other advanced countries. To enhance firefighting and rescue efficiency, the FSD is reviewing the requirements for fire service installations and equipment in high-rise buildings with reference to the latest developments in the Chinese Mainland and around the world, ensuring timely updates to the relevant specifications and requirements, thereby enhancing the overall fire safety of high-rise buildings. For example, the FSD is actively considering requiring the provision of firefighting and rescue tools on refuge floors, such as delivery hoses, nozzles, light portable pumps, rescue breathing aids and smoke hoods.
On the other hand, the FSD is actively encouraging citizens to use portable fire equipment in domestic premises to enhance early fire warning and self-rescue capabilities, thereby enhancing home fire safety. The FSD has upgraded the existing “three treasures for fire protection” (i.e. fire extinguishers, fire blankets and stand-alone fire detectors) into the “disaster and emergency preparedness kit” by adding smoke hoods. It is estimated that 300 “disaster and emergency preparedness kits” will be distributed to each district in 2026.
Regarding inspections and enforcement, the FSD continues to strengthen risk-based inspection and enforcement operations, with particular focus on high-risk buildings, such as those with poor management. For example, since January 19, the FSD has launched the operation outpost of the first phase of the risk-based inspection programme for fire service installations in buildings, targeting approximately 1 500 high‑risk buildings. The operation will involve inspections and functional testing, with particular focus on the performance of fire alarm systems. If any fire service installations are found not to be in efficient working order, the FSD will require responsible persons to take immediate remedial measures and will take enforcement actions against the irregularities to ensure public safety.