致香港特別行政區行政長官、立法會、房屋局、勞工署、建築署及相關部門：

我們是一群關注香港城市發展與文化傳承的市民。現特此聯署，要求政府立例改善大廈維修及建築工程項目的監管機制，避免重演此次大埔宏福苑之慘劇，同時保留香港竹棚傳統建築技藝，實現安全與文化並重的可持續發展。

當前問題分析：

一、監管機制存在明顯漏洞

• 根據《竹棚架設計及搭建指引》及《竹棚架工作安全守則》有明確指引大廈在搭建竹棚時需要的注意事項，棚面須覆蓋能夠防火阻燃的保護網，而事實上，在是次大埔宏福苑發生的五級大火中，災難成因與保護網未能有效阻隔火焰和工程以發泡膠等易燃物封窗密切相關，由此可見，監管的不足對市民生命財產構成嚴重威脅。
• 是次工程招標及資金運用缺乏透明度，導致資源浪費及不合理成本轉嫁業主，無疑反映了政府在相關方面的監管不足以及法例不完善的問題。
• 如若政府法例在相關方面並無改善，日後無論是使用竹棚或是鐵棚亦依然會導致同樣問題出現。因此改善相關法例的重要性刻不容緩

二、保留竹棚傳統技藝

• 竹棚建造技術，特別是傳統戲棚的綁紮方法，已被列為非物質文化遺產。竹棚作為香港傳統建築技藝的代表，具有靈活、環保及成本合理等優勢，長期廣泛應用於各類工程，並可視為其在現代建築維修與建造中的延伸應用，因為聯合國教科文組織（UNESCO）2003年《保護非物質文化遺產公約》定義非遺為社區傳承的傳統知識、技能和實踐，因此並不應該貿然以鐵棚全面取代竹棚。
• 取代竹棚不僅會引發竹棚工人失業等問題，而且站在防火角度上，鐵棚絕對是更差的選擇，使用鐵棚反而有可能導致更多事故的發生。
• 香港潮濕多雨的海洋性氣候容易使金屬棚架鏽蝕。 鐵材導熱性強，遇火災時熱傳導迅速，可能加速火勢蔓延，更哥能令鐵上面的易燃物料更容易被點燃，引發連鎖反應，令市民逃生時間大幅縮短。
• 同時由於金屬的延展性更好，所以金屬遇高溫極易變形，從而導致結構危機。甚至增加結構坍塌風險

所以在防火角度上，鐵棚絕對是更差的選擇。是故，我們希望政府在推動於工程中轉用金屬棚架時，應慎重考慮如何能夠達致確保大眾安全的理想，同時亦能維持竹棚的文化與實用價值。

 

針對以上問題，我們提出以下訴求：

1. 完善法規標準

立即修訂現行建築工程監管法例，制定更嚴格的工程設計、施工與驗收標準，確保工程質量與安全。

2. 提升透明度

立法規定所有大廈維修工程必須公開招標程序、資金運用及工程進度等資訊，保障業主與公眾知情權及監督權。

3. 強化監管機制

設立獨立監管機構，專責監督大型維修及建築項目，加強專業人員培訓，建立有效的獨立審查制度。

4. 明確問責機制

建立完善的責任追究制度，對違規工程及相關責任方實施具阻嚇力的處罰，切實保障公眾利益。

5. 傳承傳統技藝

在確保符合現代安全標準的前提下，於適當工程項目中保留並推廣竹棚技術，結合現代工程需求，讓這項傳統技藝得以傳承發展。

香港作為一個國際大都會，不僅需要高效的城市發展，更應重視工程安全與文化傳承。我們敦請政府正視現行制度的不足，立例改善大廈維修及建築工程監管，同時積極保留竹棚傳統建築技藝，讓這項充滿智慧的技藝得以延續，為香港的城市發展注入人文精神。

我們誠盼政府積極回應上述訴求，並與社會各界共同努力，建設一個安全、透明且富有文化底蘊的香港。

 

Learning from the Tragedy of Tai Po Fire: Calls for Strengthening Regulations on Construction Projects and Preserving Bamboo Scaffolding 

To the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Legislative Council, Housing Bureau, Labour Department, Architectural Services Department, and relevant government bodies:

We are a group of citizens concerned with the future of urban development and cultural heritage preservation in Hong Kong post Tai Po fire. It is devastating for us to witness the impact left, with 128 deaths confirmed and thousands displaced. We believe this is only the beginning. Through this petition, we call for proactive and swift action to change legislation and improve the regulatory mechanism in place for building maintenance and construction projects. This is our hope in preventing a similar tragedy from happening again. Simultaneously, we call for the preservation of Hong Kong's traditional bamboo scaffolding craftsmanship, striving for sustainable development that prioritizes both safety and cultural heritage equally.

Issues at Hand: 

1. Regulatory Shortcomings

• The Building Department’s "Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Bamboo Scaffolds" and the Labour Department’s "Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety" require bamboo scaffolds to be clad in fire-resistant netting. The failure of regulatory bodies to enforce these regulations is a proximate cause of the level 5 fire at Wang Fuk Court, and subsequently, hundreds lost their lives, and thousands lost their livelihoods, for an outcome that could have been prevented.
• The tendering process and allocation of funds for the renovation works at Wang Fuk Court lacked transparency, facilitating dubious use of resources and costs being unfairly passed on to residents. Inadequate management and lack of accountability reflect the lack of a sufficient regulatory framework and the need for change.
• Tragedy will happen again if no change is in place, and civilians should not be the human cost for our city. Regardless of the type of scaffolding used - bamboo, metal, or other options, the operation must be safe for both workers and residents. 

2. Preservation of Traditional Bamboo Scaffolding Techniques

• Using Bamboo scaffolding as a method of construction has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong, especially the traditional binding techniques used in theater bamboo sheds.  
• Bamboo scaffolding is a significant example of Hong Kong's traditional construction skills and has several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and environmental sustainability.  It has long been widely used in a variety of construction projects and might be seen as an extension of its use in modern building construction and maintenance.  
• Traditional knowledge, skills, and practices passed down within communities are considered intangible cultural assets, according to UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Assets.  

Therefore, it is not appropriate to replace bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding in an indiscriminate or complete manner..

From the following issues raised. We hereby demand that:

1: Enhancement of Current Regulatory Standards

We call for the immediate revision of the existing Building Ordinance and Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, and enforce stricter standards for design and initial planning, construction and inspection. This is essential in ensuring both the safety and quality of the construction works.

2: Improvement on Transparency for Construction Work on Residential Projects

We demand the enactment of legislation mandating full transparency for all building maintenance and repair projects. This includes public disclosure of tendering procedures, financial planning of the project, and progress. Such transparency aims to protect the public against collusion and safeguards the public’s right to information and oversight of construction. 

3: Strengthen Safety Regulatory Bodies  

We urge the establishment of an independent regulatory body with a special focus on overseeing major maintenance and construction projects and establishing an effective independent review system. This should work in tandem with providing training for a “Competent Person” for substantial training and practical experience according to the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulation. 

4: Establish Clear Judicial and Administrative Accountability  

Following our last point, from established an effective and independent review system. This regulatory body should also be able to enforce legal punishment that is sufficient and a deterrent to bad practice. This is necessary to provide true protection for the public.

5: Preserve Our Traditional Craftsmanship in Bamboo Scaffoldings  

While ensuring compliance with safety standards, preserve and promote the use of traditional bamboo scaffolding techniques in appropriate construction projects. 

 

Hong Kong, as a prominent international metropolis, should resolutely prioritise the balance between engineering safety and the preservation of its cultural heritage in the course of urban development. We earnestly implore the government to acknowledge the inadequacies of the existing system and to take prompt, decisive action to improve regulatory frameworks, thereby preventing the occurrence of similar tragedies in the future. It is equally crucial to safeguard the traditional craftsmanship of bamboo scaffolding, which reflects the collective wisdom of the people of Hong Kong. Such measures will enhance our urban development by upholding a strong commitment to human values while ensuring the necessary assurances of safety.

We sincerely hope that the government will respond positively to these concerns and join hands with all sectors of society to create a Hong Kong that is not only safe and transparent but also fosters a culture that is deeply rooted in our society.