Hong Kong lawmaker slams lift door frame omissions, urges third-party checks
A Hong Kong lawmaker and a safety committee member criticise a lift contractor for omitting fire-resistant door frames in 720 lifts. They call for independent third-party inspections and improved digital record-keeping to prevent recurrence.
A contractor has omitted fire-resistant door frame components from 720 lifts in Hong Kong. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) expects remedial work to be completed within two to three months.
Yao Jiening, a member of the EMSD Lift and Escalator Safety Advisory Committee, told RTHK's Millennium programme that the figure of 720 lifts was alarming. She declined to speculate on a motive while an investigation is underway, but noted that some in the industry suggest the contractor may have sought to cut costs. Yao said the committee was satisfied with the EMSD's proactive response after the issue came to light.
Under the current 'triple-check mechanism' for issuing permits for new lifts or after major alterations, Yao noted that the second check is performed by a registered lift engineer, who may be employed by the contractor or be an independent third party. While this system has worked in the past, Yao said the incident justified introducing mandatory independent third-party inspections to enhance public safety. She acknowledged that such a move would increase time and cost, which could worry small property owners.
Yao also supported the EMSD's proposal to expand the use of digital work logs—currently for maintenance—to new installations and replacement works. She hoped the system would be updated and in use by the end of the year to prevent similar incidents.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Kwok Fu-rong, speaking on the same programme, said the contractor bore primary responsibility but that the incident also revealed shortcomings in the regulatory framework. She described it as 'inconceivable' that door frames were omitted despite the triple-check mechanism. Kwok called for improvements in information verification and on-site inspections, including more frequent and thorough spot checks, stronger independence and accountability of registered engineers, and tougher penalties including license revocation.
