The Property Management Services Authority Expresses Concern over
The Fire Incident of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
Urges Property Management Industry to
Immediately Take Appropriate Follow-up Actions,
Fully Cooperate with the Government Inspection Work and Ensure Fire Safety
The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) expresses its deepest condolences over the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in multiple casualties, and extends its sincere sympathies to the affected citizens.
Special inspection operation is being conducted by relevant Government departments on buildings undergoing major external wall maintenance, where scaffolds protective nets were erected and in place, focusing on the materials including scaffolding protective nets regarding their fire retardant performance, as well as fire-safety installations and fire emergency arrangements to ensure all measures comply with statutory requirement. In light of this, the PMSA has issued notices to all licensed property management companies (PMCs) and licensed property management practitioners (PMPs), to seriously demand the property management (PM) industry to take immediate and appropriate follow-up actions, fully cooperate with the inspection work, and work together to safeguard the safety of residents, workers, and the public. In addition, with particular regard to other major repair works being carried out by the concerned contractor, as well as properties undergoing external wall maintenance with bamboo scaffolding, the PMSA has issued letters to demand the respective licensed PMCs that they must act in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. These include the Codes of Conduct formulated by the PMSA under the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626) (PMSO), namely the “Code of Conduct for Handling Scaffolding Works” (Ref. No. C13/2022), “Code of Conduct for Handling Building Works” (Ref. No. C20/2023) and“Code of Conduct for Handling Fire Safety Work” (Ref. No. C22/2024).
The PMSA expresses deep concern over the fire incident and requests licensed PMCs and PMPs to pay particular attention to the functioning of fire service installations and equipment within the property. The PMSA has issued the “Code of Conduct for Handling Fire Safety Work,” under which licensed PMCs are required to assist owners/owners’ organisations in properly managing and maintaining the fire service installations in the common areas of the property so as to safeguard fire safety.
Dr James WONG, Chairperson of the PMSA, said, “The PMSA, as the statutory body for the PM industry, will rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches of the PMSO by licensed PMCs and PMPs. Such matters will be handled strictly in accordance with the PMSO, and the PMSA will discharge its responsibilities without compromise.”
Dr WONG emphasised, “The aforementioned Codes of Conduct clearly stipulate that property owners bear full and ultimate responsibility for construction works relating to their properties, the relevant common areas, and facilities. Nevertheless, licensed PMCs are required to remind and assist the owners/owners’ organisations of the properties they manage in fulfilling these responsibilities in accordance with laws and regulations, the Codes, the relevant Best Practice Guides, and the Deeds of Mutual Covenant, including the responsibility of supervising contractors. In handling building works within properties, proper management and monitoring of the construction works in the common areas of the property should be carried out, and with timely reporting as well as follow-up on such works. In dealing with construction works involving scaffolding, the erection and use of scaffolding must be properly managed to prevent and avoid accidents that may result in personal injury and/or property damage. In respect of fire safety works, the fire service installations in the common areas of the property should be properly managed and maintained to prevent and avoid casualties and/or property loss arising from fire incidents.”
The above Codes and Guides can be downloaded from the PMSA’s website (https://www.pmsa.org.hk/tc/regulatory/codes-of-conduct).
Ends/Monday, 1 December, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:30
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