Gov't Unit Gave Advance Notice Before Inspections at Site of Fatal Tai Po Fire, Inquiry Hears

A public inquiry into the fatal fire at Wang Fuk Court has revealed concerning practices within the government's oversight of renovation projects. A senior surveyor from the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit (ICU) has admitted that advance notice was routinely given to consultants before site inspections.

This admission raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the ICU's role in ensuring the quality and integrity of maintenance work. The surveyor acknowledged that the unit did not have a formal auditing system and that the oversight process was essentially "self-regulating." This lack of robust checks and balances appears to have allowed for deviations from standard inspection protocols.

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The RI’s work, in effect, is to act as a regulator. If it’s not up to you to keep them in check, who else would it be?

Further testimony indicated that the ICU frequently notified a representative of the renovation consultant, who would then inform the contractor, rather than directly engaging the registered inspector. This practice, which differed significantly from procedures followed by other government departments, meant that inspections were often conducted without the presence of the designated inspector.

The inquiry's findings suggest a systemic failure in the oversight mechanism, potentially contributing to the conditions that led to the devastating fire. The admission that inspections were often unannounced only after the fire points to a belated recognition of the flaws in the previous system. The investigation continues to probe the extent of these procedural shortcomings and their impact on building safety.

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There was room for improvement.