Property owner fined over $12,000 for failing to comply with fire safety direction
An owner was convicted and fined $12,555 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on November 5 for failing to comply with a fire safety direction issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).
The Buildings Department (BD) issued a fire safety direction under section 5(2)(a)(i) of the FS(B)O to the owner of a non-domestic unit in a 44-year-old composite building at Yan Hing Street, Tai Po, requiring the owner to comply with the fire safety construction requirement by providing a fire-rated door at the rear exit of the unit.
Failing to comply with the statutory direction, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was convicted and fined by the court.
"According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner", a spokesman for the BD said today (November 19).
Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.
Crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements at Fanling Golf Course
Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements to facilitate the holding of a golf tournament at Fanling Golf Course from November 21 (Thursday) to November 24 (Sunday).
A. Crowd safety management measures
As a large number of people is expected, crowd management measures will be implemented at Fanling Golf Course area to maintain public order and safety.
Members of the public are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, follow the instructions of the Police on site, and take heed of directional signs and announcement at scene.
B. Special traffic arrangements
Traffic diversions
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Depending on traffic conditions, the following traffic diversions may be implemented in the morning during the tournament:
- Traffic along westbound Fanling Highway cannot enter Sheung Shui Roundabout via the exit of Route 9, except for public service vehicles;
- Traffic along westbound Po Kin Road cannot turn left to southbound Fan Kam Road;
- Traffic along eastbound Castle Peak Road – Kwu Tung cannot turn right to southbound Fan Kam Road; and
- Traffic along southbound Po Shek Wu Road turning to Sheung Shui Roundabout cannot enter southbound Fan Kam Road, except for public service vehicles.
The above mentioned vehicles will be diverted to westbound Fanling Highway via Sheung Shui Roundabout and make a U-turn at Pak Shek Au, then travel along eastbound Fanling Highway to Sheung Shui Roundabout direction, and will be instructed to enter Sheung Shui Roundabout for southbound Fan Kam Road via the exit of Route 9.
Traffic along northbound Fan Kam Road cannot turn right to the public car park at the Old Course of the Fanling Golf Course and Po Kin Road.
Depending on traffic conditions, the following traffic diversions may be implemented in the afternoon during the tournament:
Traffic along northbound Fan Kam Road must turn right to Po Kin Road.
Prohibition on pick-up and drop-off
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During the tournament, taxis cannot pick up or drop off passengers outside the Fanling Golf Course and along Fan Kam Road. Passengers heading for Fanling Golf Course may alight at Po Kin Road.
The organiser will provide shuttle bus services and designate parking areas for motorists. For details, please visit the event website (www.thehongkongopen.com).
Any vehicles found illegally parked at Fanling Golf Course area during the tournament will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.
Motorists are advised to avoid using Fan Kam Road near Fanling Golf Course during the tournament to reduce congestion. Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Members of the public are urged to take heed of instructions of police at scene.
