Three property owners fined over $16,000 in total for failing to comply with fire safety directions

Three property owners fined over $16,000 in total for failing to comply with fire safety directions

Three property owners were convicted and each fined $5,460 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts last month for failing to comply with fire safety directions issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).

The Buildings Department (BD) issued fire safety directions under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to the owners of three premises in a 57-year-old composite building at Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei, requiring them to comply with the fire safety construction requirements by providing fire-rated doors at the unit entrances.

Failing to comply with the statutory directions, the owners were prosecuted by the BD and were convicted and fined by the court on October 11.

"According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner under the ordinance", a spokesman for the BD said today (November 7).

Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.

Ends/Monday, November 7, 2022