Hong Kong mandates fire escape hoods in hotels and guest houses to boost safety

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says implementation arrangements to be discussed with sector soon, as authorities give grace period A fire escape hood. Hotels and guest houses in Hong Kong are required to provide this safety equipment. Photo: Handout Hong Kong hotels and guest houses are required to provide fire escape hoods to ensure customer safety, the city’s home affairs minister has said, with authorities giving the sector a one-year grace period. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen also said on Saturday that the government would discuss implementation arrangements with the sector soon, after some representatives flagged that they had not been consulted before the requirement was introduced. “We have heard different comments from the hotel and guest house sector ... I am certain that the sector, the public and the government hope to enhance fire safety of premises and safeguard tourists’ safety,” she said. “As we enhance fire safety, we also have to consider how we are implementing the measure so that the sector can comply with it more easily. “We will hold a meeting with the sector later to discuss the implementation arrangements and look into how the sector can balance its business operations while – most importantly – ensuring tourist safety.” Mak’s remarks came a day after Edward Leung Hei, chairman of the Hong Kong Feast and Retreat Association, posted a letter from the Home Affairs Department online. According to the letter dated July 1, licensed operators are required to provide fire escape hoods in each guest room based on the premises’ maximum capacity. Operators should also include hoods in staff areas, such as the lobby, office and kitchen, as well as in communal areas. Home affairs chief Alice Mak says implementation arrangements will be discussed with sector soon. Photo: Jonathan Wong Fire safety has come into sharp focus in Hong Kong following the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po last November, which killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 others. The department has extended a one-year grace period for operators who need to source hoods that comply with the national or equivalent standards. It recommends that operators use models that offer at least 30 minutes of protection, while they can equip adult- and child-sized hoods according to operational needs. Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, said he was still clarifying with the government whether the requirement was a fire safety enhancement recommendation or a licensing condition. “We believe that any measure that may involve new compliance requirements should be properly discussed and clearly explained through an appropriate consultative process,” Tsui said. Unhandled type: inline-plus-widget {"type":"inline-plus-widget"} “The trade does not agree that the provision of smoke hoods should, at this stage, be made a mandatory requirement for hotels and guest houses, especially in the absence of proper and broad-based consultation with the industry.” He said authorities should first clearly explain the policy objective, legal basis, implementation details and whether it would amount to a licensing condition or an administrative requirement, if the measure were to carry new compliance implications. A hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Authorities have extended a grace period for operators who need to source hoods that comply with the national or equivalent standards. Photo: Elson Li Tsui added that sufficient guidance should be provided to avoid uncertainty in areas such as operations, training, procurement, legal liability and insurance, as they could affect the practical implementation. He also questioned whether the arrangement would be extended to other licensed premises or accommodation facilities, such as homes for the elderly and saunas. “Authorities should explain the scope of application and principles to ensure policy consistency and practical feasibility, if it is part of a broader fire safety policy,” he added. Tsui said the trade would meet with the relevant departments on Thursday to seek clarification. Leung from the Hong Kong Feast and Retreat Association said he did not see the need for consultation for the fire escape hood requirement because it was about enhancing safety. He said operators were still adopting a wait-and-see attitude as they were worried about sourcing unqualified products, even though the equipment cost was manageable. “It will not be ideal if we have brought fake goods. It will be great if the government can provide a list of credible retailers or suppliers to provide assurance,” Leung said. He added that one hood cost more than HK$100 (US$12.80) at local retailers while mainland China prices were lower. Leung also said the current arrangement was feasible, as the hoods could be placed in cabinets in guest rooms and staff areas had sufficient space. He said it was a relief that authorities had not required the hoods in hotel restaurants and banquet rooms, as it would take a massive amount of space.