Hong Kong law
A 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.
Quick answers
How do I handle directions from both departments?
The departments cover different work. List the items, deadlines and responsible people from each direction, then agree the work sequence and submission arrangements with the contractors and building professionals.
What should I prepare before contacting a contractor?
Start with the complete direction and attachments, address, deadline and current progress. Include plans or reports if available. You can make contact before all records are gathered.
Legal information
This material is provided for general fire-safety education only. It is not legal, regulatory, engineering or licensing advice. Requirements depend on the premises, building use, approved plans, licence conditions, statutory directions and current law. Obtain advice from the relevant authority and appropriately registered professionals for your specific premises.
Cap. 572 targets certain older buildings
The Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 572) improves fire safety in certain composite and domestic buildings. Official guidance identifies target buildings generally by construction on or before 1 March 1987, or first submission of building plans for approval on or before that date, subject to the Ordinance's scope and exceptions.
To find out what your building needs, start with the Fire Safety Directions received. Ask the responsible professionals to review these alongside approved plans, ownership and authority records, and identify the responsibilities for common areas and individual units.
FSD and Buildings Department cover different measures
The Director of Fire Services enforces matters relating to fire service installations and equipment. The Director of Buildings enforces planning, design and construction matters. Directions issued to relevant owners and/or occupiers specify premises-specific improvements and deadlines.
Work may include hydrant and hose reel systems, alarms, emergency lighting and exit signs, as well as escape routes, fire-resisting construction and access for firefighting and rescue. Check the Direction for the work required at your building.
Arrange drawings, work and completion documents
Owners' corporations, owners and property managers should list the directions and who will handle each item. Appoint registered fire service installation contractors, Authorized Persons and registered contractors as needed for drawings, work, inspection and submissions.
If site constraints affect the proposed work, ask the professionals to prepare an alternative with supporting information or request an extension early. Follow the authority's response. At completion, check each test, certificate and document required by the directions.
Contact the authority early if the deadline is at risk
Failure without reasonable excuse to comply with a Fire Safety Direction can be an offence. The authorities may also seek a Fire Safety Compliance Order and, in serious cases, a Prohibition Order.
If funding, ownership, tendering or coordination causes delays, keep the meeting, quotation, design and submission records. Explain the progress, difficulties and proposed timetable to the authority. The Building Improvement Support Centre can also advise on available support.
Practical checklist
- Obtain every Direction and check what remains outstanding
- List the work required by FSD and the Buildings Department
- Identify responsibilities for common areas and individual units
- Appoint the appropriate registered professionals and contractors
- Arrange drawings, approvals, work, tests and completion documents
- Keep owners informed of deadlines and delays
- Retain written confirmation from the authority when requirements are met
When to call a registered contractor
If the Direction involves fire service installations or equipment, send the complete document to a contractor registered for the relevant work to arrange a survey and quotation.
- Existing systems need to be checked against directions and approved plans
- Fire-installation drawings, work, testing or completion documents are needed
- Site constraints require an alternative proposal to FSD
Official sources
The official documents below provide the full requirements and any updates.
Related reading
Hong Kong fire escape routes: obstructions and escape plans
Check corridor obstructions, smoke-stop doors and escape plans, and understand why route width must be checked against the building's approved layout.
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 articleHong 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 articleRELATED SERVICE
Send the direction for an initial review
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