PART X

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS

1. Transformers

2. Protection of Openings Linking Compartments and Buildings

3. Street Fire Hydrants

4. Petrol Filling Stations in Industrial/Carpark Buildings

5. Access for Fire Appliances

6. Compatibility of Occupancy

7. Fire Protection in Construction Sites

 X.1

PART X

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS

1. Transformers

There is no objection to the use of the following types of transformer in multi-storey buildings, subject
to observations of the conditions shown under each type listed.

1.1 SF6 (Sulphur Hexafluoride); Formel NF-Filled Transformer

1.1.1 Above Ground Level

(a) No restriction on height.

(b) F.R.P. to be in accordance with Building Regulations.

(c) Adjacent/adjoining occupancies and exposure hazards to be taken into account.

(d) No storage of SF6 cylinders or Formel NF in the Transformer Room or Consumer

Switch Room.

(e) Gas leakage alarm to be provided (visual and audible) with Trip Circuit.

(f) Standard FSD Requirements for Transformer Room to be complied with as

stipulated.

1.1.2 In Basement

(a) F.R.P. to be in accordance with Building Regulations.

(b) Separate and independent staircases and mechanical ventilation to open air and
complete separation from the main building.

(c) Adjacent/adjoining occupancies and exposure hazards to be taken into account.

(d) No storage of SF6 cylinders or Formel NF in the Transformer Room or Consumers

Switch Room.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.2
(e) Gas leakage alarm to be provided (visual and audible) with Trip Circuit.

(f) Standard FSD Requirements for Transformer Room to be complied with as

stipulated.

1.2 Midel 7131 (Pentaerythritol Ester) Filled; Silicone Fluid-Filled, R-Temp (Mixtures of paraffinic
hydrocarbons and additives) Filled and Dry Type Transformers

1.2.1 Above Ground Level

(a) Transformer Room shall be located at the periphery of the building. Windows
must be provided on the external wall, such windows shall be capable of being
opened when required to supplement ventilation.

(b) Mechanical ventilation in form of an individual air-conditioning system shall be

provided for the Transformer Room.

(c) A lobby shall be provided outside the Transformer Room.

(d) A 4.5kg CO2 fire extinguisher or its appropriate equivalent alternative type of fire
extinguisher is to be provided.

(e) Standard FSD Requirements for Transformer Room shall be complied with as
stipulated.

1.2.2 In Basement

(a) An independent and separate staircase (leading to open air at ground level) solely
for the Transformer Room is to be provided.

(b) Mechanical ventilation in form of an individual air-conditioning system shall be

provided for the Transformer Room.

(c) A lobby shall be provided outside the Transformer Room.

(d) A 4.5kg CO2 fire extinguisher or its appropriate equivalent alternative type of fire
extinguisher is to be provided.

(e) Standard FSD Requirements for Transformer Room shall be complied with as
stipulated.

(LAU Shu-lam)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
(Revised on 16 December, 1998)
 X.3
1.3 Replacement Procedures

Where an existing oil-filled transformer is replaced by one of the transformers listed in this paragraph with a
capacity or total capacity exceeding 1500 kVA, a FIXED AUTOMATIC EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
shall be provided to the satisfaction of this Department, unless the associated oil-filled switch-gear is also
replaced to be compatible with the type of transformer tested.

2. Protection of Openings Linking Compartments and Buildings

2.1 All connections, be they enclosed pedestrian ways or direct connections by breaching party
walls between separate buildings, shall be protected by roller shutters or fire doors to the
required degree of fire resistance, automatic in operation plus manual control. Normal method
of automatic actuation should be by smoke detectors rather than heat.

2.2 In certain circumstances other methods of connection such as “open air” breaks (i.e.
connections which are permanently and naturally ventilated) may be considered on their merits.

3. Street Fire Hydrants

3.1 Street fire hydrants provided within private developments will be regarded as Fire Service
Installations required under the provision of Section 16(1)(b) of the Buildings Ordinance, Cap.
123, Laws of Hong Kong. This street fire hydrant system shall be subject to the provisions
of the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations, Section 25, Cap. 95, Laws of
Hong Kong and shall be installed, maintained, repaired or inspected in accordance with the said
Regulations.

3.2 Spacing between fire hydrants should be 100 metres staggered on alternative sides of the
roadway wherever practicable.

3.3 The hydrant shall be of an accepted standard pattern and, when tested in accordance with
provision of BS 1042 with one 65mm outlet working, shall be capable of delivering not less than
2,000 litres per minute (33.3 l/sec.) with a minimum running pressure of 170 kPa at the outlet.

3.4 The minimum output at para. 3.3 above should where possible be made available from two
65mm outlets of a system delivering at the same time, i.e. a total output of not less than 4,000
litres per minute (66.7 l/sec.).

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.4

3.5 Where the minimum standards are not possible the water supply may have to be augmented by
other means - e.g. sump tank and pumps. This will depend on the size and nature of the
property to be protected, together with total available supply.

3.6 All hydrants should be installed in accordance with the Water Supplies Department Standard
Mainlaying Practice.

3.7 Wherever possible, there should be at least two street fire hydrants within the site of the building
concerned and they should be fixed not less than 6 metres from the building they are intended to
protect.

3.8 The following procedure shall be adopted to identify newly installed street fire hydrants not yet
put in commission and existing hydrants out of service :-

(a) Hydrant body will be painted red or yellow according to the source of water supply i.e.
fresh or salt water respectively;

(b) the 100mm outlet of pedestal hydrant will be fitted with a blue blank cap; or

(c) the 70mm outlet of swan neck hydrant will be fitted with a blue blank cap.

4. Petrol Filling Stations (PFSs) in Industrial/Carpark Buildings

4.1 Petrol Filling Stations (PFSs) may be permitted on ground floor of an industrial or carpark
building, however each application will be dealt with on its merits and subject to compliance
with the following requirements and any other additional requirements considered necessary :-

4.1.1 The PFS and tanks to be completely separated laterally and vertically from other
parts of the building by elements of construction having an F.R.P. of not less than 4
hours;

4.1.2 The provision of a suitable "buffer zone" between the ground floor PFS and the
industrial/carpark floors. Normally such zone will consist of the floor or that part of
the floor immediately above the PFS and which shall be used for non-hazardous
purposes, such as car parking;

4.1.3 All building staircases to be remote from the PFS;

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
X.5
 4.1.4 Vehicular access to ground floor industrial premises (parking and unloading area) to
be remote from the PFS;

4.1.5 The entire building to be fully protected by automatic sprinkler system;

4.1.6 An automatic foam/water spray system with manual operation to be installed to protect
the product delivery and dispensing areas of the PFS;

4.1.7 The face of the building for three levels (floors) directly above the PFS to be a blank
wall devoid of windows and other openings; and

4.1.8 The provision of a canopy along the periphery of the PFS at roof (ceiling) level.

4.2 The requirement in paragraph 4.1.6 above may be waived if the PFS is in a private premises
which supplies only diesel and the filling point of storage tanks is sited at least 4.25m from the
entrances/exits of any nearby buildings and/or source of ignition.

4.3 The requirements in paragraphs 4.1.7 and 4.1.8 above may be waived if a drencher system is
installed along the periphery of the PFS at roof (ceiling) level.

5. Access for Fire Appliances

Requirements in respect of access for fire appliances to developments and red redevelopments of
properties are contained in the paragraphs below. Paragraph 5.1 deals with access to developments
in virgin areas while paragraph 5.2 deals with access to properties under redevelopment with or
without a change in lease condition.

Deleted.
5.1 Access to Developments in Virgin Areas

See FSD Circular Letter

The minimum criteria are as follows :-

No. 4/2005
5.1.1 For industrial lots the standards specified in the “Minimum Standard Industrial Access
Roads” (Appendix A) as laid down in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and
Guidelines should be adopted.

5.1.2 For occupancies where there are statutory access requirements, such as Cinemas and
Theatres, the provisions of the legislation will be adopted.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.6

5.1.3 Emergency access will not normally be required for domestic buildings of 3-storey or
below, unless they form part of a major development venture, in which case access for
a pumping appliance to reach within 30m travel distance from any building on the lot
must be provided.

5.1.4 In case of all other types of occupancy, direct access for fire appliances must be
available to at least one principal face of each and every building with the exception of
special developments in remote areas with minimal life/fire risk such as microwave
transmitter station, beach houses, etc. which can be subject to special consideration.

5.1.5 Access roads should normally be not less than the minimum standard of a road/street,
i.e. 7.3m. For areas whe
where no purpose-built roads are designed, emergency access
lanes of not less than 6m wide must be provided. If there is any overhead structure,
a clear headroom of not less than 4.5m must be maintained.

5.1.6 The following figures of the largest fire app

appliance (50m Turntable Ladder) should be
taken as a standard :-

Deleted.
Weight 20 tonnes
Turning circle 22 metres

See FSD Circular Letter

Length 11.35 metres

5.1.7 The designed gradient of a ramp on an access road should not exceed 1 in 10,

No. 4/2005
especially when it leaves the horizontal plane, but this may be increased to a maximum
of 1 in 6 after leaving the horizontal plane.

5.1.8 To indicate the extent of the designated Emergency Vehicular Access (EVA) in a
development, the following signs shall be positioned accordingly with effect from 1
January 1997 :-

(a) For EVA of driveway design

(i) an EVA Layout sign shall be erected at the entrances of the EVA (see
sample at Appendix B);

(ii) EVA Indication signs shall be positioned at an interval of not more than
100m along the EVA (see sample at Appendix C); and

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.7

(iii) “No Parking” signs with standard conforming to the Road Traffic (Parking
on Private Roads) Regulations and the Code of Practice for Private Roads
shall be erected along the EVA at 50m intervals except where designated
carparks are marked (see sample at Appendix D).

(b) For EVA not of driveway design

(i) the EVA Layout sign to be erected at entrance as described in (a)(i) above
shall still be provided; and

(ii) as an alternative for the EVA Indication signs described in (a)(ii) above,
Emergency Route signs may be fixed to the curb stones, planters, or other
similar objects as appropriate at an iinterval of not more than 100m to mark
the EVA. Such signs could be painted, engraved or made of metal (see
sample at Appendix E).

Deleted.
The signs shall be designed in accordance with the samples provided in order to maintain a
consistent standard.

See FSD Circular Letter

5.2 Access to Redevelopment Areas with or without a Change in Lease Condition

No. 4/2005
The minimum criteria are as follows :-

5.2.1 Commercial Buildings - Low and High Rise

Direct vehicular access for fire appliances must be provided to a major face of the
building. The street or road serving such major face of the building shall have a
minimum carriageway width of 6.0m to permit the efficient manoeuvring of fire
appliances for rescue and fire fighting purposes.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.8

5.2.2 Domestic Buildings (Over 3 Storeys in Height)

(a) Buildings Served by One Staircase

Direct vehicular access for fire appliances must be provided to a major face of the
building. The street or road serving such major face of the building shall have a
minimum carriageway width of 6.0m to permit the efficient manoeuvring of fire
appliances for rescue and fire fighting purposes. Provided this shall not apply to
temporary buildings and dw
dwelling houses for occupancy by one family.

(b) Buildings Served by Two or More Staircases

Provision must be made for a pumping appliance to reach within 30m travel
distance from Fire Service Inlet of the premises, but this can be varied within
reason by the approving officer to take into account of special features.

Deleted.
5.2.3 Domestic Buildings - High Rise

See FSD Circular Letter

Provision must be made for a pumping appliance to reach within 30m travel distance
from the Fire Service Inlet of the premises, but this can be varied within reason by the

No. 4/2005
approving officer to take into account of special features.

5.2.4 Hotels - Low and High Rise

Direct vehicular access for fire appliances must be provided to a major face of the
building. The street or road serving such major face of the building shall have a
minimum carriageway width of 6.0m to permit the efficient manoeuvring of fire
appliances for rescue and fire fighting purposes.

5.2.5 Institutional Buildings - Low and High Rise

As for 5.2.4.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.9

5.2.6 Places of Public Entertainment within a Low Rise Building

(a) Cinemas and Theatres

Direct vehicular access for fire appliances must be provided in accordance with
the provisions in Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance and Subsidiary
Legislation, Chapter 172, Laws of Hong Kong.

(b) Other Places of Public Resort

As for 5.2.4.

5.2.7 Place of Public Entertainment within a High Rise Building

(a) Cinemas and Theatres

Direct vehicular access for Fire Services appliances must be provided in

accordance with the provisions in Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance and

Deleted.
Subsidiary Legislation, Chapter 172, Laws of Hong Kong.

See FSD Circular Letter

(b) Other Places of Public Resort

As for 5.2.4.

No. 4/2005
5.2.8 Shipyards (Encompassing a Site Area of more than 2,300 m2)

Each case shall be subject to individual consideration.

5.2.9 Composite Buildings

Requirements shall be determined by the maximum requirement of any particular type of

usage as defined in
n the relevant paragraphs of this Circular Letter. However, buildings
described in paragraph (a) below will be regarded as domestic buildings, and access
requirements will be as stated for domestic Buildings - High Rise”, paragraph 5.2.3
refers.

(a) Buildings
dings served by two or more staircases with lowest floor/s as carparks and
used exclusively by residents and all upper floors used as domestic.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
X.10
 5.2.10 Industrial-Office, Industrial and Godown Buildings - Low and High Rise

Vehicular access for various building site areas will be as set out on the diagram at
Appendix A.

5.2.11 Gradient and Ramp Requirements

Any gradient or ramp on access roads delineated for fire appliance use should not
exceed 1:10 when leaving the horizontal plane. The gradient may be increased
thereafter to a maximum of 1:6.

5.2.12 Signs for Emergency Vehicular Access

Same as for 5.1.8

5.3 Interpretation

5.3.1 “Commercial Building” means a building used wholly or in part for the purpose of the
following :-

Deleted.(a) Banks;

See FSD Circular Letter

(b) Garages and carparks run as a commercial enterprise not car repairing;

No. 4/2005
(c)

(d)
Offices;

Restaurants; and

(e) Shops.

5.3.2 “Composite
Composite Building” means a building which is a combination of domestic buildings,
commercial buildings, institutional buildings, hotels, places of public assembly but
specifically excluding industrial and godown buildings and other special risks.

5.3.3 “Domestic
Domestic Building” means a building used solely for the purpose of habitation (may
have residential car ports/parks on lower floor/s).

5.3.4 “High Rise Building’ means a building in which the floor of the uppermost storey is at a
height of 30m or more above
ve a point of discharge of a staircase to a place of ultimate
safety.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
X.11
 5.3.5 “Hotel” means a building used wholly or in part primarily for the purposes of
accommodation on a commercial basis.

5.3.6 “Industrial Building” means a building used wholly or in part in any process for or
incidental to any of the following purposes, namely :-

(a) the making of any article or part of any article;

(b) the altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning or washing or breaking up

or demolition of any article; or

(c) the adapting for sale of any article being a building in which work is carried out by
way of trade or for purposes of gain.

5.3.7 “Institutional Building” means a building used wholly or in part for the purposes of the
following :-

(a) Club premises;

Deleted.
(b) Educational establishments;

See FSD Circular Letter

(c) Hostels;

(d) Hospitals including mental institutions and clinics;

No. 4/2005
(e) Prisons and similar corrective institutions.

5.3.8 “Low Rise Building” means a building in which the floor of the uppermost storey is less
than 30m above a point of discharge of a staircase to a place of ultimate safety.

5.3.9 “Place of Ultimate Safety” means a street or any y open area having unobstructed access,
not less in width than the total required width of exit routes discharging into such an area,
to a street. Where private service lanes and private streets form a place of ultimate
safety or a part thereof, these willl not be accepted unless it can be shown that they are
not built upon or otherwise obstructed and their integrity will at all times be maintained
to the satisfaction of the Building Authority.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.12

6. Compatibility of Occupancy

Compatibility of Occupancy Chart

Occupancy Non-Permitted
Industrial All other occupancies with the exception of:-
(As defined in Sect. 2 i. offices which do not attract unreasonably large number of
Factories and Industrial persons who could be exposed to risks which they would
Undertakings Ordinance, neither be aware of nor prepared to face. These persons
Cap. 59) include the old, infirm, children and those whose nature of
work is unrelated to the activities in the buildings but
exclude regular office workers;
ii. car parking facilities for benefit of employees or on
commercial basis;
iii. bank use on ground/first floor of an industrial building (See
note (v));
iv. workers/staff canteens;
v. fast food counters (See note (vi));
vi. Electrical Shop (See note (vii));
vii. Local Provisions Store (See note (viii));
viii. Manufacturing/building materials; auto parts supplies;
ix. Showroom in connection with the main industrial use.
Composite Industrial- Same as those specified for an industrial building described
Office Building above. However, more extensive commercial developments can
be allowed in the low zone if such developments are completely
separated from the I-O portion by a buffer of non-hazardous
occupancy, such as a carparking floor. There shall be no
restriction as to the type and extent of the commercial
portion/activities.
Domestic Building Industrial (Building Services Excepted):-

(As defined in Section 2 of Occupancies as covered by Regulation 49 of the Building

Buildings Ordinance, (Planning) Regulations, Cap. 123.
Cap.123)
Buildings with single staircases to be treated as covered by para.
6(2)(b) of the Code of Practice on Provision of Means of Escape
in Case of Fire and Allied Requirements.
Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 X.13

Occupancy Non-Permitted
Composite Building Industrial (Building Services Excepted):-

(As defined in Section 2 of Occupancies as covered by Regulation 49 of the Building

Buildings Ordinance, (Planning) Regulations, Cap. 123.
Cap.123)
Buildings with single staircases to be treated as covered by para.
6(2)(b) of the Code of Practice on Provision of Means of Escape in
Case of Fire and Allied Requirements.
Domestic and Composite Industrial (Building Services Excepted):-
Buildings Containing a
Cinema or Theatre Occupancies as covered by Regulation 49 of the Building
(PPE Regulations will (Planning) Regulations, Cap. 123.
apply)
Schools.

Child Care Centres.

Purpose-built All other occupancies with the exception of those ancillary to the
Institutional Building particular Institution.
(e.g. School, Hospital,
Church, etc.)

Notes (i) FRP requirements to comply with Part XV of the Building (Construction) Regulations,
Cap. 123.
(ii) Dangerous Goods Legislation and FPB Policies adequately cater for all possible
permutations of occupancies involving licensed D.G. Storage and Manufacture.
(iii) To be read in conjunction with current Government policies on factories in domestic,
schools, restaurants, etc.
(iv) Petrol Filling Stations on G/F of an Industrial /Carpark Buildings
(Paragraph 4 refers).
(v) Bank and industrial occupancies to be completely separated from each other by suitable
FRP and design.
(vi) Sited at street level only and licensed as food factories.
(vii) Electrical Shop - Any premises used for the selling of electrical accessories. In most
cases repairing services are also provided.
(viii) Local Provisions Store (previously termed as Food Store) - Any premises used for the
selling of cigarettes, drinks, canned food, and other local convenience goods.

Date : 22 October, 1996

 X.14

7. Fire Protection in Construction Sites

7.1 For the protection of life and property, and to assist the Fire Services to deal with fires
occurring in high-rise buildings under construction, water relaying facilities should be provided in
construction sites for this purpose and to supply all floors above 30m with a minimum flow of
900 litres/minute. These facilities can either be :-

(a) temporary commissioning of the fire hydrant system required under Section 16(1)(b)(ii)
of the Buildings Ordinance, and extended as the construction of the building progresses,
or

(b) installation of electrical pump(s) on floor(s) to be determined by practical tests

conducted jointly by the building contractors and Fire Services Officers. The number
and capacity of pump(s) will be at the discretion of the former provided the pumps are
fitted with standard 65mm instantaneous coupling inlets/outlets and capable of delivering
900 litres of water per minute, or

(c) placing of portable pump(s) on floors to be determined by practical tests conducted

jointly by the building contractors and FSD Officers. The number and capacity of the
pumps will be at the discretion of the former provided the pumps are fitted with
standard 65mm instantaneous coupling inlets/outlets and capable of delivering 900 litres
of water per minute. These portable pumps shall have a fuel tank of adequate capacity
for the continuous running of the pump for not less than one hour.

7.2 If provision of facilities described in paragraph 7.1(b) above is to be employed, the following
guidelines should be observed :-

(a) Fixed fire pump(s) shall be provided to relay water for all floors above 30m.

(b) The pump set shall be located close to staircase but not cause any obstruction
to means of escape.

(c) Each pump shall be fitted with inlet/outlet of standard 65mm instantaneous
coupling conforming to BS 336. The inlet/outlet shall be individually controlled
by wheel-operated screw valve designed to open by counter-clockwise rotation.
The direction of opening of the valve shall be clearly engraved in both English
and Chinese on the wheel.

Date : 22 October, 1996

 X.15

(d) The pump shall be provided with an air-relief valve.

(e) The pump set shall be able to produce a flow of not less than 900 l/min at a running
pressure of not less than 350 kPa but not more than 850 kPa at the fire hydrant outlet.

(f) A plan showing the location(s) of the fixed fire pump(s) shall be provided at a
prominent position at the entrance of the construction site.

(g) Directional signs indicating the access to the fixed fire pump(s) shall be displayed at a
prominent position immediate outside the ground level entrance of the staircase(s) and at
suitable intervals.

(h) Each fixed fire pump shall be connected to the main electricity supply of the
construction site.

(i) The electricity supply shall have enough capacity to cater for the simultaneous
operation of all fixed fire pump(s) installed in each building under construction.

(j) The power cables shall be properly fixed on wall. Each pump shall be provided
with duplicated power cables separately routed to avoid complete power failure
resulted from mechanical damage. Preferably, metal conduit or trunking is provided to
protect the cables and in such case separate routing will not be required.

k) The duplicated power cables shall comprise a cable connected from electricity mains
and the other teed off before the main switch. They shall be terminated at an
automatic changeover switch installed next to each fixed fire pump. The pump power
supply shall be automatically switched to the secondary power if the normal power fails
for whatever reason.

(l) Schematic diagrams showing the typical arrangements of electricity supply are shown
in Appendices F & G.

7.3 To ensure building contractors are aware of the above requirements FSD Officers will visit
construction sites to give advice under Section 7(c) of the Fire Services Ordinance, and to
confirm this in writing.

Date : 22 October, 1996

 X.16

7.4 After a reasonable period of time, FSD Officers will make further visits to conduct practical
tests and to ensure these facilities are provided, failing which Fire Hazard Abatement Notices
may be served to the building contractors concerned.

7.5 The significance of these new procedures is that instead of refusing to issue the certificate under
Section 16(1)(b)(ii) of the Buildings Ordinance as in the case of processing building plans, the
Fire Hazard Abatement Notices served under Section 9 of the Fire Services Ordinance are
enforceable by law and offenders are liable to be prosecuted.

Signed
(LAM Chun-man)
for Director of Fire Services
Date : 22 October, 1996
 Deleted.
See FSD Circular Letter
No. 4/2005
 Deleted.
See FSD Circular Letter
No. 4/2005
 Deleted.
See FSD Circular Letter
No. 4/2005
 Deleted.
See FSD Circular Letter
No. 4/2005
 Deleted.
See FSD Circular Letter
No. 4/2005