Lifts contractor faces regulatory action over missing fire safety parts at gov’t-run estates

A lift installation contractor is suspected of serious negligence or misconduct after an official inspection revealed “serious deficiencies” in new lifts installed at two government-run housing estates.

In a statement issued at midnight on Friday, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said that it will take enforcement and regulatory actions against the registered contractor, Taizoom Elevator Company.

Certificate submitted

“The inspections revealed serious deficiencies in lift replacement works carried out by Taizoom in two Tenants Purchase Scheme Estates,” involving nine lifts in Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong and 39 lifts in Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin, the statement said.

“Although a fire resisting rating certificate was submitted, it was found that only the fire resisting doors were installed as required, but the corresponding door frame components were not installed, and the lift works were claimed to be completed,” it read.

The absence of “door frame components” in the lifts concerned amounts to non-compliance, “but the lifts can still operate safely,” the EMSD said.

The statement did not say whether the lack of a fire-resistant doorframe would have posed a fire risk, nor did it explain how the contractor was able to obtain and submit the certificate.

The department said it would not rule out criminal offences involving fraud and the provision of false statements, and would refer the case to the police.

The department has instructed Taizoom to install the door frame components promptly and bear all associated costs for the remedial measures. The repair works will commence shortly and are expected to be completed within a month.

See also: Tai Po fire: Gov’t has ‘unshirkable responsibility’ over fatal blaze, lawyer says as probe concludes

The government has also commenced inspections of other lift works, and “no similar breaches have been found so far,” it said.

“As a precautionary measure, the EMSD will require other registered lift contractors to conduct similar inspections on the lifts they have installed and submit inspection reports to the EMSD. The EMSD will also conduct random checks, and all related work is expected to be completed within a month.”

Contract on hold

The Housing Authority (HA), which runs the estates, said in a separate statement that it had been notified about the “serious deficiencies.”

“As the owner of the unsold units in the two aforementioned… estates, the HA is highly concerned about the incident,” the authority said, adding that it was maintaining communication with the EMSD to follow up on the incident and pursue liabilities.

A lift replacement contract at another Tenants Purchase Scheme estate, Fu Heng Estate, has yet to be awarded, the public housing provider said.

See also: Contractors will bear repair costs for lift defects at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong development chief says

“The HA has immediately and proactively advised the Incorporated Owners of Fu Heng Estate to suspend the award of the contract, and will provide all necessary support to the Incorporated Owners regarding the incident, including assisting them in studying the follow-up arrangements, to safeguard the overall interests and safety of all residents,” the statement said.

Safeguard press freedom; keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team

Support HKFP  |  Policies & Ethics  |  Error/typo?  |  Contact  |  Newsletter  | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps

Make a one-off donation.

James Lee is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in culture and social issues. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he witnessed the institution’s transformation over the course of the 2019 extradition bill protests and after the passing of the Beijing-imposed security law.

Since joining HKFP in 2023, he has covered local politics, the city’s housing crisis, as well as landmark court cases including the 47 democrats national security trial. He was previously a reporter at The Standard where he interviewed pro-establishment heavyweights and extensively covered the Covid-19 pandemic and Hong Kong’s political overhauls under the national security law.