Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap.502)

In view of the thriving business activities in Hong Kong, it is essential to provide protection for occupiers, users and visitors of the "prescribed commercial premises" and "specified commercial buildings". The government enacted the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance (Cap.502) ("the Ordinance") in 1997 and made amendments to it in 1998 and 2001. Premises with an area exceeding 230m² and used for the following commercial activities will be regarded as falling within the definition of the "prescribed commercial premises" under the provisions of the Ordinance —

• banking;
• conduct of off-course betting centres;
• conduct of a jewellery and goldsmith's business on premises that have a security area;
• as a supermarket, hypermarket or department store;
• as a shopping arcade.

If a building was constructed on or before 1 March 1987 or the plans of the building works of that building were submitted to the Building Authority for approval on or before 1 March 1987 and the building was constructed to be used or is being used for the purpose of an office, business, trade or any entertainment, then the building will be regarded as falling within the definition of the "specified commercial buildings" under the provisions of the Ordinance.

Fire Safety Upgrading Requirements

Director of Fire Services may request owners/occupiers of the above commercial premises/buildings to provide the following fire service installations and equipment —

• automatic sprinkler system;
• automatic cut-off device of mechanical ventilating system;
• emergency lighting;
• fire hydrant/hose reel system;
• manual fire alarm system; and
• portable fire extinguisher.

Director of Buildings may request owners/occupiers of those premises/buildings to provide —

• adequate means of escape so that people inside the premises or buildings can escape easily in case of fire;
• adequate means of access to the premises or buildings to facilitate access for fire fighting and rescue; and
• measures to inhibit the spread of fire and to ensure the integrity of the building structure.