Following a fatal fire in Tai Po that raised serious safety concerns regarding external building repairs, residents of Sui Wo Court in Fo Tan are pressuring management for the immediate removal of scaffolding, despite a year-long project delay. The refurbishment, which commenced in September 2023 and was initially anticipated for completion in June, is now projected to finish in mid-2025. Estate management is grappling with resident anxiety over the flammability of protective materials and potential worker negligence, introducing stringent new safety protocols and incentives to ensure compliance.
Fo Tan Residents Demand Urgent Scaffolding Removal
The recent tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has intensified scrutiny of refurbishment practices across Hong Kong, particularly the use of nylon scaffolding nets and foam insulation boards—materials suspected of accelerating the Tai Po blaze. At Sui Wo Court, the chairperson of the owners’ corporation, Leung Po-leng, confirmed Friday that while the legally compliant protective netting currently in use undergoes continuous government inspection, the corporation mandated the contractor, Fulam Construction Engineering Company Limited, attain independent certification from SGS, a global testing authority. Furthermore, the Fire Services Department collected additional samples of the netting for laboratory testing this week.
The estate’s refurbishment has faced significant setbacks. Ms. Leung stated that the year-long delay is partly due to the owners’ corporation twice rejecting the workmanship on one block, necessitating rework by the contractor. While Block C’s repairs are finished and its scaffolding is being dismantled, the remaining eight blocks remain encased. Management is now exploring faster scaffold removal options, including switching to gondola platforms for the final painting stage immediately after plastering is finalized on the lower levels.
Contractor Implements Strict Fire Safety Measures
In direct response to heightened safety fears—and allegations, particularly concerning the Tai Po incident, that discarded smoking materials may ignite scaffold components—the contractor has introduced comprehensive new procedures effective immediately.
Key safety actions include:
- Mandatory Searches: All workers must undergo physical searches before accessing scaffolding. Cigarettes, lighters, and any fire-starting materials are now strictly forbidden on the platforms.
- Reporting Mechanism: The company has implemented a HK$2,000 reward system for residents or workers who provide photographic evidence of unauthorized smoking on the scaffolding.
These rules were formally announced during a morning briefing held on November 27.
However, the assurances have done little to quell resident frustration. On Thursday night, nearly 200 people attended an emergency meeting to interrogate the management company and contractor regarding the timetable for removing the protective mesh and scaffolding, as well as clarifying evacuation procedures.
Fear Persists Amidst Delays
The protracted timeline for the repairs has already tested resident patience. Ms. Chow, a resident of Block A, expressed deep skepticism, noting she has endured obscured windows for over two years. She described past meetings as “unproductive and confrontational” and remains concerned about the constant sight of flammable items, such as foam boards and plastic drums, stored near worker access points. Block A was scheduled to begin scaffolding dismantling on November 28, but the removal had yet to commence.
Ms. Chow insisted that safety remains paramount: “I will only feel at ease once all the scaffolding is taken down.”
The priority for Sui Wo Court management, alongside fulfilling the structural repair contract, is urgently restoring faith in the safety standards of large-scale, occupied building refurbishment projects. Addressing immediate fire hazards and transparency regarding protective materials are crucial next steps for regaining community trust and ensuring project completion without further incident.