Hong Kong Fire Services Department
One-stop Coordination Office for New Fire Protection Facilities Acceptance
Application for Compliance Inspection of Fire Service Installation and Equipment
Pursuant to Section 21(6)(d) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap.123), Fire Service Installation and Equipment (FSI) acceptance inspection shall be carried out in new buildings for granting an occupation permit. Having confirmed the newly installed FSI are in efficient working order and satisfactory condition, a Fire Services Certificate (FS 172) will be issued by the Director of Fire Services.
Application Procedure:
- 1. Application+-
Responsibilities of AP and RPE
All applications for inspection and testing of FSI in new building should be tendered by an AP. APs before submitting applications, are required to ensure that all FSI to be inspected and tested are adequately covered by FSI/501a. For FSI in new building involving staircase pressurisation system, dynamic smoke extraction system, water mist system or other FSI fall under RPE’s purview, RPEs are required to certify at Part A of FSI/501 that the FSI to be inspected and tested are operating in accordance with approved design and in full compliance with the FSD requirements.
APs should certify at Part B of FSI/501 that the FSI listed in the FSI/501 and all of the attached FSI/501a have been installed in accordance with approved building plans and are ready for inspection. The completed FSI/501 should be submitted together with, inter alia, duly signed FSI/501a provided by RFSICs.
Responsibilities of RFSIC
Under the new arrangement, whenever RFSICs install any FSI in new building, they shall certify that the FSI listed therein have been installed and tested, and are in efficient working order in accordance with the Code by signing FSI/501a. The signed FSI/501a is a certificate under Regulation 9 of the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations (Cap. 95B) which shall be issued by the RFSIC within 14 days after completion of the work to the person on whose instructions the work was undertaken with a copy thereof forwarded to the Director of Fire Services.
The new arrangement also applies for fixed automatically operated approved appliance and portable hand-operated approved appliance (portable equipment) such as fixed sprayer unit, fire extinguisher, sand bucket and fire blanket, for which the equipment should be certified by Class 3 RFSIC via separate FSI/501a. Certificate of Fire Service Installations and Equipment (F.S.251) is no longer required in new building. Nonetheless, the statutory requirements by virtue of Cap. 95B and the Code on the installation, maintenance, inspection and repair of FSI (e.g. provision of maintenance label on portable extinguishers) shall still be adhered to.
1. FSI/501-Application for Inspection and Testing of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
FSI/501-Application for Inspection and Testing of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
Electronic Submission
e-FSI/501- Application for Inspection and Testing of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
User Guide for Input of the Form FSI/501-Appendix I(A)2. FSI/501a- Certificate of Completion of Installation of Fire Service Installations and Equipment in New Buildings
Electronic Submission
e-FSI/501a- Certificate of Completion of Installation of Fire Service Installations and Equipment in New BuildingsUser Guide for Input of the Form FSI/501a-Appendix I(B)
3. Fire Service Installation Schematic Drawings / As-fitted Layout Drawings (FSI/314)
Fire Service Installation Schematic Drawings / As-fitted Layout Drawings (FSI/314)
The AP and RFSIC shall submit a duly completed form FSI/314 together with the following documents/drawings according to the Stage 2 submission procedures as stipulated in FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2005:
(a) Two sets of as-fitted FSI layout plans as prepared according to Part I of FSD Circular Letter 4/96 (one set of the drawings shall be coloured); and
(b) A schedule of the submitted FSI layout plans.4. Testing and Commissioning Checklists
The RFSIC shall submit duly completed testing and commissioning checklists for FSIs to FSD before the inspection.
Application submitted in accordance with the 2022 version of the Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment and Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Installations and Equipment
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/fire_protection/notices/code.htmlFire Service Installations – Equipment List
Fire Service Installations – Equipment List
To facilitate the compliance inspection, the RFSIC shall submit to FSD the duly completed Equipment List with his signature on each page together with the following supporting documents and documentary proof if applicable:
(a) Listing certificates/ records/ documents/ printouts from product certification bodies;
(b) FSD approval/ acceptance letters;
(c) Test certificates/ data sheets/ catalogues/ calculations; and
(d) Other necessary technical information.5. Fire Service Completion Advice / WWO46 Part IV from Water Suppliers Department
According to FSI/501, the Fire Service Completion Advice in respect of fire service installation(s)/equipment requiring government water main connection should have been applied for/issued by the Water Supplies Department
- 2. Preliminary review of all submitted documents+-
To avoid delays in processing your FSI acceptance application, please ensure that all required documents, including the Fire Service Installation Testing and Commissioning (T&C) Checklist Report and the Equipment List, are submitted with your initial application. From our past experience, incomplete submissions are a common cause of delays, as the application process cannot begin until all necessary documents are received.
- 3. Pre-inspection meeting+-
A pre-inspection meeting will be conducted on a need basis amongst FSD’s Inspecting Officers, AP, RFSIC and RPE (if appropriate) before on-site inspection. During the pre-meeting, the following tasks will be carried out: -
- Review the project status and site readiness;
- Conduct preliminary checking of submitted documents - general document checklist;
- Receive supplementary documents;
- Formulate an inspection schedule as agreed by all parties;
- Familiarize with the scope of inspection and system configuration;
- Details of FSI exemption, phasing arrangement, if applicable ;
- 4. On-site inspection+-
Tasks Acceptance Criteria Examples Functional checking - Part V of CoP
- T&C checklists / Test reports- Proper actuation of pump/fans
- Actuation of fire alarm via manual call pointPerformance verification - Part V of CoP
- T&C checklists / Test reports- Flow or pressure measurement as per performance requirements Material checking - Equipment list
- Fire resisting cable as required in FSD Circular Letter No. 2/2017- Brand, types, model no., etc.
- Fire resisting cables for primary and secondary power supply
- Self-contained battery Ampere-hour rating, etc.Layout checking - As-fitted FSI Plans
- Siting and spacing as required by various standards- Coverage of sprinkler heads, detectors, hose reel, etc.
- Mounting height of Manual Call Points, Exit signs, etc.Interoperability of FSI - Part V of CoP
- FSD Circular Letter 2/2002 for Hot Smoke Test- Full load power supply test by emergency generator
- Hot smoke test for dynamic smoke extraction system
- Any inter-relation between FSIs as stated in FER
- 5. Inspection result+-
The Inspecting Officer will record the inspection and testing results on the FSI/507(B) " Report on Fire Service Installation Inspection and Testing" , which will then be filed as a complete record of the inspection work. The Authorized Person (AP) and the Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (RFSICs) are also required to sign the FSI/507(B) form to acknowledge the inspection results.
The owner of the newly constructed building will also be informed of the inspection result.
- 6. Re-inspection (if applicable)+-
- After the defects have been duly rectified the Authorized Person (AP) must submit a written confirmation certifying that the defects have been remedied. A written request for re-inspection should then be sent to the FSD by fax or post within two months. Re-inspections will be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. During the re-inspection, if all defects are confirmed to be rectified, the acceptance inspection of the Fire Service Installations (FSI) will be deemed complete. Otherwise, further re-inspections will be required.
- 7. Plan Revision / Document Supplementation+-
It will be commenced after completion of on-site inspection with a satisfactory result. During document checking, AP, RFSIC and RPE will proceed the following tasks: -
- Make minor amendments to GBP;
- Revise FSI plans, equipment lists, etc; and
- Supplement outstanding documents
- 8. Issuance of Fire Services Certificate+-
After confirming that the newly installed FSIs are in full compliance with the FS requirements, a Fire Services Certificate (FS 172) for non-government buildings, or an acceptance memo/ a letter for government buildings will be issued by FSD within 7 working days upon completion of document checking.
The Certificate shall only be valid when the permanent and adequate water supply from Water Supplies Department for the FSI has been connected.
- Relevant guidelines / circulars+-
Administration
Inspection Progress Inquiry for Fire Service Installations and Equipment in New Buildings
(Under Revision)FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2020 – Revised Application Procedure for Inspection and Testing of Fire Service Installations and Equipment in New Building
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/circular/2020_01_eng_20200218_163332.pdfFSD Circular Letter No. 1/2015 - Documents Required for Application for Compliance Inspection of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/circular/2015_01_eng.pdfMeeting minutes of discussion with stakeholders
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/fire_protection/minutes/Technical guidelines
A Practical Guide for Design, Installation, Acceptance and Maintenance of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/licensing/Practical_Guide.pdfFSD Circular Letter No. 5/2022 - Calibration Requirements for Test Instruments Used for Acceptance Inspection of Fire Service Installations and Equipment
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/circular/2022_05_eng_20221220_185139.pdfApplication of BS 5839-1:2017 (Incorporating Amendment No.1) Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings – Part 1: Code of Practice for Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Systems in Non-Domestic Premises in Hong Kong
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/guidance/TG_BS5839_1_eng.pdfApplication of BS 5266-1:2016 and BS EN 1838:2013 Emergency Lighting Specifications in Hong Kong https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/guidance/Technical_Guidance_BS5266_2016_BSEN1838_2013.pdf
Application of the Loss Prevention Council’s Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations Incorporating BS EN 12845:2015 in Hong Kong https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/guidance/Technical_Guidance_LPC_Rules_eng_20200911_153808.pdf
FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2024 – Enhanced Mechanisms for Approval of Portable Equipment and Acceptance of Fire Service Installations and Equipment (FSIs) and Fire Safety Products
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/circular/2024_01_eng_20240304_175728.pdf