Unannounced inspection of Hong Kong and Kowloon hardware shops for excessive sulfuric acid and white electric oil firefighting: higher than in the past few years

Burst

Written by: Lu Jiayu Wang Yiyang

2019-12-07 19:26

Last night (6th), a group of people wearing the vest of the Fire Services Department's "Anti-Illegal Fuel Reinjection Task Force" searched a metal shop on the ground floor of Meng Kok Street in Mong Kok and seized multiple boxes of suspected flammable liquids Glass bottles, staff refers to more than 20 cans of water, washing water, turpentine and electric oil. To date, a hardware shop in Causeway Bay has been searched and multiple cans of dangerous goods have been seized. Some staff at the store concerned said that the Fire Services Department would send regular inspections every year, but they would not seize the goods before, and only gave verbal warnings. They also thought that the storage capacity of dangerous goods stipulated by the Fire Services Department was very small, and "the shop would pass."

The FSD stated that it had recently received a wire report. There were hardware stores in various districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon that suspected excessive storage of dangerous goods. Special operations yesterday and today carried out surprise inspections, and seized dangerous goods including sulfuric acid, white electricity oil, and water. About 378 liters. Firefighting refers to the operation of prescriptions and independent actions, without cooperation with other departments. It also refers to the high number of seized excess dangerous goods compared with the inspections in the past few years. The fire fighting did not respond to whether the demonstration was related to the demonstration.

The firefighting inspected a hardware shop in Xindidi Street yesterday and seized a group of suspicious glass bottles. (Online picture)

Assistant Director of Fire Services, Fire Services Department (Combating of Illegal Fuel Transfer Task Force) Liang Yousheng. The Fire Services Department will conduct regular and surprise inspections to combat the storage, transportation and use of dangerous goods. The prescription has carried out more than 500 inspections in the past six months. Including hardware stores, a total of 23 liters of category III dangerous goods (corrosive liquids), 83 liters of category IV dangerous goods (toxic substances), and about 600 liters of category 5 hazardous goods (flammable liquids) were seized. Related follow up.

Liang Yousheng said that the prescription had recently received an online report stating that hardware stores in various districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon suspected excessive storage of dangerous goods. They took special actions yesterday, night and today, sending 11 special teams including combating illegal fuel reinjection and During the inspection of the dangerous goods team, an excessive amount of dangerous goods were found in a hardware store on Reclamation Street, including about 90 liters of Category 5 dangerous goods and 19 liters of Category 3 dangerous goods. To date, prescriptions have also been sent to carry out surprise inspections in various districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon, including Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Wan Chai and Western District. 29 firefighters were dispatched, and a total of 250 liters of Category 5 dangerous goods and 19 liters of Category 3 dangerous goods were seized. . The prescription has also been enforced against relevant parties.

Clarified as an independent operation of the Fire Services Department

Liang Yousheng pointed out that the two-day operation was a prescription initiative and an independent operation, and did not cooperate with other departments. Today's operation has ended. Liang also pointed out that anyone who stores, uses and transports dangerous goods exceeding the exempt amount is liable on conviction under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance to a fine of $ 25,000 and imprisonment for 6 months. Liang Yousheng pointed out that prescriptions have always paid attention to the fire safety of dangerous goods storage. From time to time, routine and surprise operations will be based on intelligence-led methods. He also said that this time he received different reports that there were suspected hardware storage of dangerous goods in different regions. Overdose situation, did not receive reports from specific stores. Liang Yousheng pointed out that a total of 250 liters of Category 5 dangerous goods was found in this operation. A hardware store was quite high. Compared with the inspections in the past few years, it was a relatively high number.

Liang Yousheng refers to the Fire Services Department's "Fire Prevention Circular No. 4-Dangerous Goods", which sets out the statutory exemptions for various dangerous goods. For example, the exemption for white electric oil is 20 liters. Asked whether the quantity of dangerous goods seized this time was related to the recent demonstrations, Liang Yousheng pointed out that this time he reported on the actions of the past two days and whether there was any inconvenience related to the demonstrations.

During the operation today, Fire Services seized a total of 250 liters of Category 5 dangerous goods and 19 liters of Category 3 dangerous goods. (Photo by Wang Yiyang)

Fire Task Force searches Mong Kok hardware shop and removes a batch of suspicious glass bottles

Hardware shops under inspection: In the past, they would not be seized and they had to plan

According to the Fire Safety Notice No. 4-Dangerous Goods, the exemptions for various dangerous goods are listed. Among them, the water containing sulphuric acid and nitric acid is 10 liters, and the white electric oil, tinna water and turpentine are 20 liters.

A staff member of a hardware shop on Lockhart Road, who was inspected today, said that for the first time this year, firefighters came to the scene to inspect and seize without police. The Fire Services Department conducts regular inspections every year, but it will not be seized before, only a verbal warning, but the goods were seized this time. The staff also pointed out that the business was mainly decoration and paint masters, and there was no increase in the purchase volume due to social activities. It also said that the fire control regulations exempted 20 liters, but only a small amount. You have to think about it, you have to stop it. "

Mr. Chen, the owner of another hardware shop, pointed out that the amount of turpentine, tinna water, white electricity oil, etc. that can be stored in a hardware shop is only about two cans, which is about 30 liters, based on about 18 liters per can. Therefore, It will have to wait for the next day when it is sold out, but it may not be sold out every day. Mr. Chen also said that he did not feel that the number of fire inspections had increased. Usually, he only came to inquire about it every few years. In fact, he did not want to sell. He said that he had little profit but would be afraid of danger, so he would not put it in too exposed places. Chen also pointed out that there has been no increase in the number of people buying dangerous goods in the past six months, and it is estimated that the same industry will not buy more.

Fire department