Building fire safety
Received a Fire Safety Direction? Deadlines, responsibilities and quotations
For a direction under Cap. 502, 572 or 636, start with the full document, deadline and responsible parties. Separate fire installations from building works before arranging quotations.
Quick answers
Does an annual inspection certificate resolve the direction?
You still need to review every requirement in the direction. An annual inspection certificate records the inspection work completed; the direction may also require improvements and authority confirmation.
Legal information
Requirements vary by premises. Confirm the work with the responsible professional using the premises use, approved plans, licence conditions and any written directions.
Keep the full document and identify the deadline
Caps. 502, 572 and 636 cover fire-safety requirements for different types of premises or buildings. Check the issuing authority, recipient, each requirement and deadline, then arrange for the relevant professionals to inspect the site.
Scan the full document and attachments, and note which items are complete and which still need work. Contact the issuing authority early if anything is unclear or the deadline may be difficult to meet. Continue planning against the original deadline until an extension is approved in writing.
Separate installation work from building work
A direction may cover both fire installations and building safety measures. Identify the registered contractor, authorised person or other professional needed for each requirement, and agree their work before making appointments.
Give contractors the same requirement list and site information when requesting quotes, and ask them to list included work and extra charges. Where one trade must finish before another can start, agree who will arrange it and when.
Plan the works and authority follow-up
Agree dates for the survey, drawings, ordering materials, works and testing, with one contact keeping track of progress. In a multi-owner building, allow time for owners’ corporation meetings, owner decisions and tenant access.
Keep the tests, photos and work records for each completed requirement, then follow up outstanding inspections or confirmation with the relevant authority. Management can use one list to track completed work and items awaiting the authority’s response.
Practical checklist
- Complete direction, attachments and deadline
- Premises plans and equipment information
- A responsible party for each requirement
- Works, tests and authority follow-up progress
- Written extension or completion confirmation, if any
Request a works review of your Fire Safety Direction
Share the complete direction, deadline and address so we can define the installation scope and arrange a survey and quote.
- Review installation requirements and site discrepancies
- Coordinate owners, management and professionals
- Works, tests and document follow-up
Official sources
The official documents below provide the full requirements and any updates.
Related reading
Hong Kong commercial premises fire safety
Taking a lease, fitting out a business or responding to an improvement direction? Check the actual use and documents first, then identify the work arising from Cap. 502, licence conditions and routine maintenance.
Read articleA plain-language guide to the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance
Received a Fire Safety Direction for an older residential or mixed-use building? Start with the requirements and deadline. This guide explains Cap. 572, the departments involved and how owners and managers can organise improvement work.
Read articleHong Kong industrial building fire safety
Improvement work in an older industrial building can involve many units and shared systems. This guide helps owners, occupiers and managers organise Cap. 636 directions, responsibilities, access, tests and completion records.
Read articleRELATED SERVICE
Send the direction for an initial review
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Discuss the work your premises need
Share the premises, proposed scope and timing. For tender enquiries, include the brief and submission deadline. Available drawings and recent reports help us review the work; you can contact us before everything is ready.
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