Major changes to scaffolding net regulations announced
發佈日期: 2025-12-11 21:13
TVB News
Following the deadly fire in Tai Po, the Development Bureau today announced a change in the regulations for all buildings undergoing major repair works and new projects.
Fraud was found in the both scaffolding nettings and their safety certificates in relation to the deadly fire in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
The Development Bureau has now issued a new set of rules, which applies to such nettings.
Under the new requirements, contractors will have to provide certificates confirming the scaffolding netting on buildings is fire-retardant.
Once the netting arrives in Hong Kong, random samples will be sent to government-designated laboratories for testing.
The whole examination process will be video recorded.
The government expects the results to come out in around a week.
Nettings can only be installed after samples passed the test.
Otherwise, the whole batch of nets have to be replaced.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said, "According to the Buildings Ordinance, if any contractor does not comply with requirement, regarding the testing and also putting up the scaffolding nets. For example, they put up scaffolding nets without going through on-site sampling and testing. That will be a violation of the requirement. The immediate result is the ceasing of works. The building authority will then give an order to cease work immediately. There will also be other sanctions under the law."
The government will announce the list of designated laboratories next week at the earliest.
The Construction Industry Council(CIC) will be responsible for sourcing all scaffolding nettings through central procurement for a period.
Executive Director of Construction Industry Council Albert Cheng said, "We understand that the testing protocol may cost some cash flow problems to some contractors so CIC stands ready to look into individual cases, case by case and see what we can do to help with the cash flow of the affected company."
