Escalator design approval regime 'effective'

July 13, 2011

There is no need to cease operation of  escalators in Hong Kong of the same model as that involved in a Beijing Zoo Station incident on July 5, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam says.
 
Over the past year, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department received only one equipment fault report that involved an escalator of the same manufacturer and model, she told lawmakers today.
 
That report involved an incident at the Mei Foo MTR Station on July 7. On that day, the department required the MTR Corp and its contractor to examine all 78 of its escalators of the same model.
 
The examinations were completed the next day, and all escalators were confirmed to comply with safety standards, and were operating normally.
 
Two government-owned escalators of the same model were also examined on July 7, and were found to confirm with safety standards.
 
Initial findings suggest the Mei Foo station incident was due to an auxiliary brake system failure which led to overheating from friction. The MTR Corp had its contractor carry out immediate repair works. The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department will probe the cause of the incident, Mrs Lam said.
 
“We have a well-established and effective approval regime for escalator design. Our maintenance regime for escalators stipulates regular professional examination,” she said, adding the department conducts random checks and monitoring to ensure compliance.
 
“Examination of the escalators of the same model was also carried out promptly. As such, we do not consider it necessary to cease the operation of escalators of the same model in Hong Kong. As the relevant Mainland authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident, we will keep in close contact with them to find out the cause of the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.”