Tougher fire safety rules expected in new Hong Kong bill, including fixed penalties

Hong Kong authorities will submit a draft law by the end of this year to strengthen enforcement against fire safety violations, including issuing fixed penalties alongside existing prosecution options that can take months to carry out.

Responding to questions from the South China Morning Post, a Security Bureau spokeswoman said that a fixed penalty system would enhance efficiency and certainty for law enforcement, as well as free up resources for more complex cases.

“The introduction of a fixed penalty system would complement the current primary enforcement method, which relies on initiating prosecution by summons,” she said.

In the aftermath of the blaze at Wang Fuk Court that killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung presented a raft of suggestions to reform fire safety rules and penalties at the first meeting of the new Legislative Council last month.

They include introducing fixed penalties for some fire safety violations such as blocking escape routes, reviewing the legal responsibilities of building management companies in ensuring fire safety, and requiring the Fire Services Department to approve requests to turn off fire safety systems.

The bureau spokeswoman said authorities were considering applying a fixed penalty system to some “suitable and easily verifiable” offences, such as those related to statutory annual inspections of fire service installations and equipment, and locking of emergency exits.

She said the bureau aimed to submit the relevant amendment bill to Legco by the end of the year, adding that lawmakers from the security panel and relevant stakeholders would be consulted.