Burst
Written by: Peng Kaixin Cai Zhengbang
2020-08-17 07:31
Last update date: 2020-08-17 07:31The housing problem in Hong Kong is difficult to solve. According to 2016 data from the Census and Statistics Department, there are more than 210,000 Hong Kong people living in more than 90,000 residential units. The residential environment of sub-districts is narrow, and accidents have occurred frequently in recent years. Earlier this month, a woman was killed by an electric shock while taking a shower in a sub-divided unit in Mong Kok. An investigation by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department found that the electrical wiring in the sub-divided unit was short-circuited and the grounding device did not comply with relevant regulations.
"Hong Kong 01" recently inspected a housing unit in Sham Shui Po with electrical engineers and revealed that there are hidden concerns about the electrical installations in the house, and there is no leakage protector. When there is a leakage in the house, it may not trip in time, which does not comply with the Electricity Ordinance . In addition to the non-compliant electrical installations, what is even more terrifying is that the kitchen walls will fall as soon as they are pushed, which not only poses a danger to the safety of tenants, but also the bricks on the wall will fall down on the street at any time and hurt passers-by.
According to Mr. Wu, the householder, there is only one socket left in the whole house. "When the air conditioner is turned on, there will be no computer. When the computer is turned on, there will be no air conditioner. When the load is loaded, it will leak electricity." (Photo by Cai Zhengbang)
Cracked wall becomes dangerous
Six years ago, Mr. Wu rented an old building in Shek Xia Mei Street, Sham Shui Po. Although it was covered with tiles, it was dangerous. What is thrilling in the sub-house is the wall of the kitchen that will fall when pushed, and the sunlight outside the house penetrates into the kitchen through the cracked wall. Mr. Wu said that the cooker hood in the kitchen fell down in 2017 and was hung in the air. He informed the owner that the other party said nothing happened. Later, the wall began to crack and the owner took off the cooker hood, but said that it would be repaired if required Mr. Wu had to move away from the wall. Mr. Wu, who was inconvenient due to a stroke, felt that the moving project was too big and had to continue to live in a "dangerous building". "It's so hesitating, I fight with the channel (the cracked wall) all the way. Live a long time, look at it first."
Soon after moving in, Mr. Wu noticed water seepage in the unit upstairs, which caused the paint on the walls of the unit to soften and peel off. At the beginning of 2015, there was a sudden power outage in the sub-district room, a fuse was burned, and a lot of smoke was emitted. Fortunately, it did not happen. After the fire, two of the three sockets in the whole house were broken, and only one socket was left for use. "When the air conditioner is turned on, there is no computer. When the computer is turned on, there is no air conditioner. When the load is loaded, the electricity will leak."
What is thrilling in the sub-house is the wall of the kitchen that will fall when pushed, and the sunlight outside the house penetrates into the kitchen through the cracked wall. (Photo by Cai Zhengbang)
One socket is responsible for the electrical appliances of the whole house. It is impossible to do so. "There is always a hidden danger." Mr. Wu revealed that he has always handled electricity carefully, using low-power electrical appliances as much as possible, and has given up using refrigerators and induction cookers. However, after inspecting the house, Luo Guisheng, the chairman of the electrical trade union, pointed out that there was a problem with the bottom of the only socket in the house. "It’s a good plug. It’s not easy to push in, and it’s so loose. Even the universal plug can’t be inserted. Bad can cause heat, and if there is a spark in the canal, it is very dangerous.” Luo Guisheng said that when he usually inspects the sub-district tenants, the most common situation is that the socket is loose and the electricity leaks, and the spark ignites the debris and causes a fire.
There is no leakage protector in the unit
The socket is loose and repairable. Luo Guisheng discovered that there is no leakage protector for electrical installations in the house. “Everyone who is electrocuted is protected by a protective device.” Luo added that since 1985, the Electricity Ordinance has required every Sockets need to have a leakage protector to prevent leakage of electricity and human body from electric shock. He gave an example. Most sub-districts use storage-type water heaters. "Because the sub-districts are relatively small, it is commonly called holding a water heater to take a shower." Why are storage-type water heaters easy to get electric shocks and even injuries? Luo Guisheng explained that his body was soaked during the shower, and he did not wear shoes. When he held a metal shower, the water heater leaked electricity. "It has become a human body, and even a place is electrified. All of them will conduct electricity." If there is no leakage protector, the power cannot be tripped in a short time, and the human body will die from electric shock.
Keep debris away from the socket
In view of the frequent occurrence of accidents in subdivided houses in recent years, Luo Guisheng suggested that the subdivided housing industry mainly adopts compliant electrical installations, and tenants should try to keep debris away from sockets in limited spaces. "If you are worried about a fire, it is recommended to put a fire extinguisher at the door. At least you can save yourself.” The housing problem has become a century-old problem in Hong Kong. If it cannot be resolved in a short time, the sub-divided houses cannot be banned. Luo Guisheng believes that the government should standardize sub-divided houses and comprehensively inspect the electrical installations and fire-fighting equipment of sub-divided households. Let the tenants live at ease.
After inspecting the sub-districts, Luo Guisheng, the director of the electrical trade union, pointed out that many sub-districts use storage water heaters. (Photo by Cai Zhengbang)
Mr. Wu has lived in a sub-district apartment for more than 6 years and has also been in public housing for 6 years, but it is still empty. Mr. Wu, who lives by playing the piano, was unable to receive work this year due to the epidemic and stopped talking after the beginning of the year. At the end of the month, he reluctantly finally asked the community social worker for help. The social worker applied for a community housing for him. Fortunately, he was selected for a community house on Nanchang Street. "The adult is happy, relaxed, and nervous." Mr. Wu said, although the community The combined housing can only live for two years, but at least it can be in a safe space, waiting for news of the allocation of public housing.
Mr. Wu has lived in a sub-district housing for more than 6 years, and he has also been in public housing for 6 years, but it is still empty. (Photo by Cai Zhengbang)
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