Enforcement departments will take immediate action to request mini-storage operators to rectify the safety hazards identified during the Government's inspections of such storage centres.
The Fire Services Department made the statement after it, together with the Buildings, Lands and Labour departments, met with representatives of the mini-storage operators today to express the grave concern over the safety of their businesses.
Irregularities encountered by the inter-departmental working group's inspection included insufficient passageways and hose-reel coverage as well as obstruction to fire service installations arising from the configuration of mini-storage sites.
On top of enforcement actions, the Government will consider amending existing legislations or introducing new regulations to improve fire safety standards of old industrial buildings and enhance safe running of mini-storage facilities.
The Government also requires the trade to increase the number of security and management staff and strengthen fire prevention training. The operators have to regulate the items stored by tenants and prohibit storage of dangerous goods.
Immediate enforcements will be taken against any breaches of regulations during the territory-wide inspection that is on-going and will be completed within two months, the Fire Services Department said.
