Residential open-kitchen fire safety in Hong Kong: checks before renovation

This guide concerns residential open kitchens. FSD's residential guidance tells owners and occupants not to remove or obstruct installed smoke detectors and sprinkler heads and to arrange proper maintenance.

If you propose removing a wall to create an open kitchen, have appropriate professionals review the approved plans and feasibility first. Existing fire equipment does not establish approval for any proposed alteration.

Tall cabinets, ceilings and decoration can obstruct equipment. Mark fire installations on the renovation plan and ask the contractor about relocation, protection, system coordination and testing after the work.

Report damage, paint contamination or abnormal indications to management and the contractor during work. Do not remove detectors or leave equipment covered as a way to avoid unwanted alarms.

Include equipment photos, models, completed work and test results in the handover pack, with a maintenance contact. Tenants should also ask the owner about known defects and previous alterations.

If the premises differ from the approved layout, document the issue and seek a professional review. Obtaining an installation certificate alone does not resolve questions about approval for building alterations.