Senior Housing Bureau surveyor gives evidence at Tai Po fire inquiry

已複製連結

The Independent Committee investigating the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po resumed today, with a senior maintenance surveyor from the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit testifying for the first time.

Senior Maintenance Surveyor Andy Ku Siu-ping arrived at City Gallery in Central this morning. His testimony follows earlier evidence from Karen Cheung Yuk-ching, an Assistant Director of the Buildings Department overseeing the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme.

Cheung previously told the committee she had never seen foam sealant being used to block up windows during major maintenance works, saying such a practice would run contrary to relevant statutory requirements.

She also acknowledged that enforcement responsibility rests with the Buildings Department.

At the time, committee counsel Victor Dawes, cited evidence given by Andy Ku, saying there is no specific standard governing the use of foam sealant to close windows and that, in his understanding, the practice is not illegal. That’s a view that appeared to differ from the Buildings Department’s position.

Cheung responded that Ku would have to explain his interpretation, stressing that had the department known the contractor was using foam sealant to seal windows, it would not have approved the arrangement.