A critical lapse in fire safety protocols contributed to the devastating Tai Po housing estate blaze that claimed 168 lives last November, a public inquiry revealed today. Victory Fire Engineering, the contractor responsible for maintaining the estate’s fire safety systems, was informed days before the tragedy that the fire alarm system at Wang Fuk Court had been deactivated.
Testimony presented on Monday detailed how Victory Fire learned on November 19th that the alarms were disabled during work to replace faulty equipment. Despite this knowledge, no immediate action was taken to restore the system. The subsequent fire, which erupted on November 26th, rapidly engulfed seven of the estate’s eight blocks, resulting in an unprecedented loss of life. Authorities have consistently pointed to the inoperative fire alarms as a significant factor exacerbating the scale of the disaster.
Wong Kin-wa, a senior electrical worker with Victory Fire, testified that a junior colleague first discovered the deactivated master switch controlling both the fire alarms and water pumps at Wang Fuk Court. Victory Fire had held the annual fire safety equipment check contract for the Tai Po housing estate since 2016, with the exception of 2024, and last conducted an inspection at Wang Fuk Court in March of the previous year.
Wong explained that during his inspection on November 19th, he found the water pumps in three blocks were non-functional due to the deactivated master switch. Concerned about the potential fire risk, he contacted a staff member at ISS EastPoint Properties, the estate’s management company, identified only as Cheng. He was informed by Cheng that China Status Development and Engineering had switched off the master switch to facilitate major renovation work and that the Fire Services Department (FSD) had been notified via a “shutdown notice.”
Despite requesting a copy of the shutdown notice, Cheng was reportedly unable to locate it. Critically, Wong admitted he did not independently verify the information with China Status to ascertain the status of the system or the timeline for its restoration.
When questioned by government counsel Jenkin Suen regarding his lack of follow-up, Wong stated he hadn’t considered contacting China Status, reasoning that, as fellow fire safety professionals, they would be aware of the system’s disabled state. “I thought because they were also a fire safety contractor, they knew what they had disabled,” he said in Cantonese.
Multiple Shutdown Extensions
Further compounding the issue, the inquiry revealed that China Status had initially filed a shutdown notice with the FSD in April of the previous year and subsequently applied for a total of 16 extensions. At the time of the fire, the fire alarm system at Wang Fuk Court remained offline.
Wong also admitted he failed to test the newly installed equipment on November 19th due to the lack of power. “Would you agree that your duty had not been completed?” asked Lee Shu-wun, a lawyer for the independent committee. After a pause, Wong conceded the point. He maintained, however, that he lacked the information necessary to file a shutdown notice on behalf of China Status, as he was unaware of when the master switch was initially deactivated. “A shutdown notice requires you to file the shutdown date, which we did not know,” he explained.
Lawyers representing ISS challenged Wong’s testimony, asserting that he did not formally request Cheng to produce the shutdown notice. Cheng is scheduled to provide testimony at a later date. Chung Kit-man, a director and engineer at Victory Fire, testified that China Status did not inform his company about the shutdown of Wang Fuk Court’s fire safety system. Chung is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday.
The revelations raise serious questions about communication protocols and accountability within the fire safety industry. Could a more proactive approach by Victory Fire have prevented the tragedy? And what systemic changes are needed to ensure such a failure never occurs again?
Understanding Fire Safety System Shutdowns
The shutdown of a fire safety system, even for maintenance or renovation, is a complex process requiring strict adherence to regulations. Typically, a contractor must submit a detailed shutdown notice to the local Fire Services Department, outlining the scope of work, the affected areas, the duration of the shutdown, and the alternative fire safety measures in place. These measures might include temporary fire watch personnel or the activation of fire suppression systems in adjacent areas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides comprehensive guidelines on fire safety system maintenance and shutdown procedures.
The repeated extensions granted to China Status, totaling 16, suggest a prolonged period of compromised fire safety at Wang Fuk Court. Such extensions often require justification and re-evaluation of the temporary safety measures. The inquiry will likely scrutinize the rationale behind these extensions and whether adequate oversight was provided by the FSD.
Furthermore, the responsibility for verifying the status of fire safety systems doesn’t solely rest with the contractor performing the work. Property management companies, like ISS EastPoint Properties, also have a duty of care to ensure the safety of residents. This includes confirming that all necessary safety systems are operational and that any shutdowns are properly documented and communicated. The Insurance Resource Management Institute (IRMI) offers detailed information on property management liability and risk mitigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tai Po Fire
-
What is a fire safety shutdown notice?
A fire safety shutdown notice is a formal document submitted to the Fire Services Department detailing the temporary deactivation of fire safety systems for maintenance or renovation, outlining safety measures taken during the shutdown.
-
Why were the fire alarms at Wang Fuk Court disabled?
The fire alarms were disabled to allow for the replacement of defective equipment, but the system remained deactivated for an extended period due to complications and multiple shutdown extensions.
-
What role did Victory Fire Engineering play in the incident?
Victory Fire Engineering was the contractor responsible for annual fire safety checks at the estate and was informed the alarms were off, but did not verify the information or ensure the system was restored.
-
How many extensions were granted for the shutdown notice?
China Status Development and Engineering applied for and received 16 extensions to the original shutdown notice filed with the Fire Services Department.
-
What is the significance of the master switch in a fire safety system?
The master switch controls the entire fire safety system, including alarms and water pumps. Disabling it renders the entire system inoperative, significantly increasing the risk in the event of a fire.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of robust fire safety protocols and diligent oversight. As the inquiry continues, it is vital that all parties involved are held accountable and that lessons are learned to prevent similar disasters in the future. Share this article to raise awareness about fire safety and the importance of proactive maintenance.
Disclaimer: This article provides news coverage of a public inquiry and should not be considered legal or professional advice.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
