The Development Bureau today announced a new mechanism for scaffold nets on external walls to be sampled on-site.

The regime, devised following the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, applies to scaffold nets used in repair projects as well as those used in new building works.

Specifically, contractors must provide certificates and test reports for the fire-retardant performance of the scaffold nets.

In addition, upon delivery of the scaffold nets to Hong Kong, contractors are required to take a specified number of samples in a specified manner, and send them to designated laboratories for testing. Samples must all pass the test before the scaffold nets can be installed. The Government’s enforcement departments will conduct random verification checks after the scaffold nets are installed.

Taking into account space constraints, the Buildings Department will allow on-site or off-site sampling. Contractors are required to establish a tracking system to the satisfaction of the department in order to ensure that the installed scaffold nets are from the same batches that have passed laboratory testing.

To facilitate the implementation of the new mechanism, the Government is identifying additional laboratories and aims to have a preliminary list drawn up next week. The Government has also initially identified a suitable site for the industry to conduct off-site sampling, which is expected to be ready for use next week.

Furthermore, to address the short-term surge in demand for scaffold nets and testing services, the Construction Industry Council will make special arrangements for collective bulk procurement and coordinated testing services.

Financial support

As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.2 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.5 billion.

The fund will provide a living allowance to each affected household. As of today, 1,784 cases had been processed.

The fund will also provide the families of each deceased victim with a $200,000 token of solidarity, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. As of today, a total of 121 cases had been processed.

Welfare arrangements

The Advisory Committee on Mental Health today announced the launch of a programme to provide free mental health support services to bereaved families following the fire at Wang Fuk Court.

Separately, as of this morning, 1,457 residents had been accommodated under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 2,796 residents have moved into transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society.

Relief supplies

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 1,700 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 19,500 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

Regulation work

As of 4pm today, the Labour Department had inspected 440 construction sites, issued a total of 226 written warnings and 105 improvement notices, and taken out 25 prosecutions.