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RICS: 3 Recommendations on Safe Use of Mega Signage

 

HONG KONG, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is deeply concerned about the fire caused by a mega signage at the top of a hotel last week, resulting in evacuation of all the hotel tenants. RICS points out that signage can be commonly found in the top levels of buildings in Hong Kong, and therefore should be considered 'high risk and high hazard facilities'. RICS recommends 3 approaches in preventing future re-occurrence, and urges the government to deal with this issue with high priority with an aim to make relevant regulations:

  • Signage be classified as 'high hazard facilities' with a Fire Resisting Rating high enough and sufficient buffer be provided.  In the long run, the government should consider reviewing the relevant codes under Building Ordinance.
  • Authorised facilities managers be charged with the responsibility in carrying out regular fire drills, providing proper training to staff and ensuring escape routes are kept clear.
  • Although the building ordinance requires that escape routes be able to accommodate all occupiers at the same time, it is more feasible to carry out evaluation before deciding whether or not to evacuate the zones nearest to the fire be evaluated so that further arrangements can be made. This can prevent panicking that may worsen the situation.

Mr Raphael Pang, Vice Chairman of Building Surveying Professional Group Committee, RICS Hong Kong said: "Mega signage of buildings might be potentially fatally dangerous. To ensure the safety of the public, government departments and the industry should be working hand-in-hand, including developers, facilities managers, the Buildings Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Fire Services Department. The government should come up with a long term feasible policy to regulate the use of such facilities to protect our citizens."

About RICS & RICS Asia

RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction. In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.

Over 100 000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.

RICS is an independent professional body that, since 1868, has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity -- providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.

The RICS Asia supports a network of over 11 000 individual professionals across the Asia Pacific region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members.

The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The People's Republic of China and the SAR Hong Kong. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam. For more information, please visit: www.ricsasia.org

Media enquiry, please contact:

RICS Asia Public Relations Representative
Mr Andy Hung / Mr Timothy Wong
Tel: +852-2372-0090
Fax: +852-2372-0490
Mobile: +852-9254-9250 / +852-6485-3225
Email: andy@creativegp.com / timothy@creativegp.com

Source: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
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