Hong Kong Fire Services Department

Mini-storage Premises (MSP) may operate in various modes. Past firefighting experience evidences that MSP containing cluster(s) of lockers/storage cubicles allowing direct access for the public to store and retrieve articles materially pose high fire and life risk.  The Government considers it necessary to step up fire safety of these Target MSP.

Enforcement

Against the irregularities identified in Target MSP in the territory, the Fire Services Department (FSD), Buildings Department ⁽¹⁾ and Lands Department have been taking enforcement actions under their current legislation respectively.

In respect of FSD, pursuant to Section 3 of the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation, Cap 95F, the Director may, if satisfied of the existence in or on any premises of a fire hazard, serve a fire hazard abatement notice (FHAN) to certain person (i.e. the owner, operator or user in the context of Target MSP) by reason of whose act, default or sufferance the fire hazard arose or continues, requiring the person to abate the fire hazard within the period specified in the notice.  Listed below are the FIVE “Potential Fire Hazards in Mini-storage Premises” commonly found in Target MSP (common fire hazards):-

(a)  undesirable arrangement of storage cubicles;
(b)  obstruction /insufficient number of windows;
(c)  insufficient coverage of hose reel system;
(d)  insufficient exit signs and/or directional signs; and
(e)  undesirable types of locking device for escape doors

If the person fails to comply with a requirement of the FHAN within the specified period or causes, permits or suffers the fire hazard to recur at any time within a period of 12 months after the date of service of the notice, he/she commits an offence under Section 9 and shall be liable on conviction to a fine at level 6 and to a further fine of $10,000 for each day during which the offence continues.

A magistrate may, either on application by the Director or on the magistrate’s own initiative, make a Fire Hazard Order (FHO) in respect of that person for the purpose of abating, or of preventing the recurrence or continuance of, the fire hazard to which the order relates.  Under Section 12, a person who without reasonable excuse knowingly contravenes a FHO commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to a further fine of $20,000 for each day during which the offence continues.

Note (1): The Buildings Department website on Mini-storage Premises.

Enforcement progress (as at 30.9.2024)

• MSP operated in the market are identified through various means including internet searching and scouting. There are about 105 MSP on the inspection list. Joint inspection is being arranged to confirm if they are Target MSP and enforcement action would be taken if necessary.
• Revealed at the time of joint inspection, there were accumulative 725 Target MSP in operation as summarized below:-