The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) says 720 lifts installed by Taizoom were missing door-frame components required by law—about 90 per cent of the contractor’s installed total. The affected lifts are in 11 blocks across two Tenants Purchase Scheme estates and 338 private buildings.
EMSD reported the case to police on October 16 over suspected fraud and false statements. Police are conducting a criminal investigation. The department has also said preliminary evidence points to suspected serious negligence and misconduct in Taizoom’s lift work.
The proposed repair adds J- and L-shaped clips beside the landing-door panel. When the door closes, the clips interlock to help stop flames passing through. The design passed fire-resistance tests on November 4 and 6. EMSD set a mid-November deadline for repairs at the two estates and expects work on the affected private-building lifts to take two to three months. Some of that work had already begun.
EMSD Director Poon Kwok-ying, citing a fire consultant’s assessment, said the vast majority of the affected lifts were older models, operating for 30 to 50 years or more. Their original landing-door fire-resistance requirement was 60 minutes and did not specify door-frame components. Poon said Taizoom’s replacement door panels had been tested to at least 120 minutes and that overall fire safety was not lower than before. The missing components are still required by law.
Each lift would generally be out of service for two to three days during repairs, Poon said, with work planned outside busy periods to limit disruption to residents. Taizoom must pay the costs of the remedial work.
EMSD has begun a broader review covering new installations and major alterations, inspections, maintenance, and the registration, regulation and approval of lift work. It expects to complete the review before the end of the year.